Benjamin
Israelite / Jew Hebrew; father of the tribe of Benjamin · Creation & Patriarchs · Old Testament
- Also called
- Ben-oni
- Name means
- Son of the right hand
- Role
- Youngest son of Jacob
- When
- c. 1900 BC (traditional)
What they did
Born near Bethlehem as his mother Rachel died; she named him Ben-oni, but Jacob called him Benjamin. Joseph tested his brothers through Benjamin and then wept over him.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
His tribe stayed with Judah and produced King Saul, Mordecai and the apostle Paul.
And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Ben-oni: but his father called him Benjamin. Genesis 35:18 (KJV)
Bible references
And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Ben-oni: but his father called him Benjamin. Genesis 35:18 (KJV)
And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son. Genesis 43:29 (KJV)
And he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck. Genesis 45:14 (KJV)
Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil. Genesis 49:27 (KJV)
Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Philippians 3:5 (KJV)
Family
- Father
- Jacob
- Mother
- Rachel
- Children
- Belah, Becher, Ashbel and others
- Brothers / sisters
- Joseph; half-brothers Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun; half-sister Dinah
His ten sons are listed in Genesis 46:21.