It lay between Ephraim on the North and Judah on the South. For they did not know that the king's officer was their own brother Joseph, and that instead of being angry, he was really filled with joy at seeing them after twenty years of separation. Their place in the host was with the standard of the camp of Ephraim on the west of the tabernacle, their prince being Abidan the son of Gideoni (Numbers 2:22). 3 Ways Jesus Shows Us How to Practice Hospitality, 3 Times Christians Actually Should Judge Others. For less than $5/mo. All except Judah followed him and Joab pursued him on behalf of David. 1. The gate of Benjamin, on the north side of Jerusalem ( Jeremiah 37:13 ; 38:7 ; Zechariah 14:10 ), was so called because it led in the direction of the territory of the tribe of Benjamin. The uplands are stony, mountainous, and poor in water; but there is much good land on the western slopes. [7] Benjamin is treated as a young child in most of the Biblical narrative,[7] but at one point is abruptly described as the father of ten sons. II. Henceforward the history of Benjamin is the history of the tribe. BEST VALUE in digital Bible study. In the Samaritan Pentateuch, Benjamin's name appears as "Binyamm" (Samaritan Hebrew: , "son of days"). GODS WORD Translation (GW). 25Benjamin went out from Gibeah to meet them. Send one among you to bring him, and the rest of you shall be kept in prison until he returns. Benjamin also sat astride the great highway connecting North and South, which ran along the ridge of the western range, in the district where it was easiest of defense. The brothers were seated in order, from oldest to youngest. 43They closed in on the men of Benjamin and pursued them without stopping. The youngest of the children of Jacob. 1Kings 12:20 says that none followed the house of David but the house of Judah only. 27In those days the ark of Gods promise was at Bethel. Tribe of Levi in the Bible | Levites, Facts, Symbol & History, Tribe of Judah | Judah, Descendants & History, Lion of the Tribe of Judah in the Bible | Overview, Symbol & History, The Great Flood and Population Migrations. 2The leaders of all Israels tribes took their places in the congregation of Gods people. 3The people of Benjamin heard that Israel had come to Mizpah. They slaughtered 22,000 of Israel's men. BENJAMIN, TRIBE OF bn j mn (, or , or ; LXX ; , G1021; ; Benjamin or sons of Benjamin). While tribes were mentioned occasionally after this point, the Israelites were mostly referred to collectively as ''Jews'' or ''Jewish people,'' to refer to their homeland of Judah. "You are spies!" he cried in a passion. His birth took place on the road between Bethel and Bethlehem, near the latter, B.C. A son or descendant of Harim who put away his foreign wife (Ezra 10:32). Fearing, probably, that this might bode evil for the child--for names have always preserved a peculiar significance in the East--Jacob called him Benjamin, "son of the fight hand" (Genesis 35:17). 16Out of all these troops, the best 700 were left-handed. The phrase in Genesis 44:20, "a little one," only describes in oriental fashion one much younger than the speaker. 24On the second day the Israelite troops advanced against Benjamin. Tribe of Asher History, Identity & Context | Who was Asher in the Bible? Mari texts but that seems, on the whole, to be unlikely. This, according to Josephus, was owing to "the goodness of the land" (Ant., V, i, 22); a description that would apply mainly to the plans of Jericho. The exact boundary lines of Benjamin's territory are impossible to determine with certainty. ; J. What can we learn from the tribe of Reuben? He was betrayed by a woman of Abel of Beth-maachah and was slain. As the tribe of the later kingship, Judah was a vast and prosperous territory that contained many of the significant cities and events of the Bible. Kingdom of Judea History & Map | What is Judea? 14 chapters | Genesis 35:16-18 CEB - Benjamin's birth and Rachel's death - Bible Gateway 21That day the men of Benjamin came out from Gibeah. The battle was fierce. Nehemiah gives the Valley of Hinnom as the south boundary of Benjamin in his time (Nehemiah 11:30), while westward it extended to include Lod and Ono. All rights reserved. After the death of Saul they formed the backbone of Ish- bosheth's party, and most unwillingly conceded precedence to Judah in the person of David (2Samuel 2:15,25; 3:17). He also gave orders that they were to have their corn-sacks filled, and that each man's money was to be secretly tied up again in the mouth of his sack. One who took part in the repair of the wall (Neh. Jacob, whose name is later changed to Israel, marries two sisters and takes each of their handmaids as concubines. Apart from that, however, Islamic tradition does not provide much detail regarding Benjamin's life, and refers to him as being born from Jacob's wife Rachel. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Bright, History of Israel (1960), 142, 189, 213-216; F. F. Bruce, Israel and the Nations (1963), passim. At the Exodus the number of men of war in the tribe is given as 35,400. "Thy servant our father is alive and in good health," they answered humbly. The first, Joseph, was Jacob's favorite child, leading Jacob's other sons to fake his death and sell him into Egyptian slavery. Tribe of Dan Facts, History & Descendants | What Happened to the Tribe of Dan? They intended to kill me, but instead, they raped my concubine until she died. 20 So the men of Israel went to war with the men of Benjamin. 12:34). [7] These sources go on to state that Benjamin's oath touched Joseph so deeply that Joseph was no longer able to pretend to be a stranger. "Is your father well?" A man of the tribe of Benjamin, son of bilhan, and the head of a family of warriors. 1. The tribe descended from Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob. Benjamin [Bn'jamn]son of the right hand. Jacob and his family are approaching Ephrath when Rachel goes into labor. Map of Eglon Invasion Map of Israel's Defeat of Moab Benjamin in the Song of Deborah Benjamin and the Ammonite Oppression Map of Jephthah's Defeat of the Ammonites The Land Allotment The heart and soul of life in ancient Israel was primarily centered within and around the boundaries of the tribe of Benjamin. The youngest son of Jacob and the only one born in Canaan; founder of a tribal family. But the twelfth son is the one who broke the lucky streak. This tribe is mentioned in Romans 11:1 ; Phil 3:5 . 8All the people stood united, saying, None of us will go to his tent or return to his house. Holding up his hands for mercy, he told the story of how they had begged their old father to let Benjamin come; adding that if they returned without him, the old man would die of grief. [7] Alternatively, Rashi suggests it means "son of days", meaning a son born in Jacob's old age. This wolf symbolism has been interpreted to refer to several elements of the Tribe of Benjamin, including its heroic members like King Saul and Mordecai, the tribe's often warlike nature, and the tribe's jurisdiction over the Temple in Jerusalem in which sacrifices were 'devoured' by flame. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. Ask Question Asked 1 year, 5 months ago Modified 2 months ago Viewed 2k times 3 While Joseph's brothers plotted against him, was Benjamin a part? Answer In Genesis 49 the patriarch Jacob, sensing his impending death, gathers his sons to his bedside to bless them. Stepping into broad ferry-boats with their animals, they were taken over, and went up the long road, lined on each side with the figures of winged lions in stone, towards the wide market-place of the great city. [8] The name of his wife/wives are not given, but the Book of Jubilees calls his wife Ijasaka and the Book of Jasher mentions two wives, Mechalia the daughter of Aram and Aribath the daughter of Shomron. Then Benjamin looked up at him, and Joseph felt the tears coming into his eyes; and rising from his chair, to the surprise of the men, he left the hall. 16 They left Bethel, and when they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel went into hard labor. "We have a father, an old man, and another brother, the child of his old age, and he alone is left of his mother's children, and his father loves him much. Ard and Naaman, who are the sons of Benjamin according to Numbers 26, are listed as the sons of Belah and are the progenitors of the Ardites and the Naamites respectively. Thus Ehud the Benjamite, Israels second deliverer in the period of the Judges, was remembered for being left-handed (Judg 3:15). Saul, who is the first king of the United Kingdom of Israel, was from the tribe of Benjamin as was the later Christian apostle Paul. The northern frontier started from the Jordan over against Jericho, and ran to the north of that town up through the mountain westward past Bethaven, taking in Bethel. The tribe was descended from Benjamin, the youngest son of the patriarch Jacob (later given the name Israel) and his wife Rachel. Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. No software to install. Why Was the Tribe of Benjamin Important? - Topical Studies Omissions? Andrew the Apostle Facts & Importance | Who is Andrew in the Bible? What can we learn from the tribe of Zebulun? They asked the Lord, Should we continue to wage war against our close relatives, the men of Benjamin?. As a distinct tribe, Benjamin lost its own identity sometime after the United Kingdom of Israel split and it was absorbed into Judah; the Babylonian Exile further secured this combination. Who was this who knew about their brother whom they had sold into slavery? If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com. As for his angry words, he was only trying them, and meant nothing but kindness, as we shall see. They spread out in the city and killed everyone. Of course the silver cup was found in Benjamin's sack; and pointing his finger at him, the Egyptian said that he would take him back to be his master's slave, but as for the rest of the men, they could go on their journey to their homes. They refused to do so unless they could take Benjamin with them; and after holding out for a long time, at last their father yielded. As soon as they were all gone he sprang to his feet, and held out his hands to his brothers, calling to them in Hebrew, --, "I am Joseph! He also supports his own Jewish credentials by reference to his descent from the tribe of Benjamin (Rom 11:1; Phil 3:5). While he was tricked into marrying the oldest sister, Leah, the younger sister, Rachel, was the one he wanted to marry and became his favorite wife. His mother, Rachel, died in the act of giving him birth, naming him with her last breath Ben-oni ( son of my sorrow ). Wives for the Benjamites 22 When their fathers or brothers come to us to complain, we will tell them, 'Do us a favor by helping them, since we did not get wives for each of them in the war. All rights reserved. Get unlimited access to over 88,000 lessons. For days they walked by the side of the great river Nile, along the road to Memphis, where the king's stores were, and at length they saw the city upon an island in the river. Although the Tribe of Benjamin was a fairly small tribe, it was renowned for the warriors it produced, which was symbolized by the wolf. In the Revelation, the tribe of Benjamin has its place among the eleven other tribes from each of which 12,000 servants of God were to be sealed (Rev 7:8). The first king of the Jews was Saul, a Benjamite. The E border was the Jordan River. [16] According to textual scholars, the Jahwist version of the Laban narrative only mentions the Joseph tribes, and Rachel, and does not mention the other tribal matriarchs whatsoever. After all, the man's kindness of the day before was only intended to make them feel the pain all the more when he seized their young brother to be his slave. 12 Facts About Benjamin Everyone Should Know - Chabad.org Each could sling a stone at a hair and not miss. Benjamin - Lockyer's All the Men of the Bible - Bible Gateway Try Bible Gateway Plus free today! I feel like its a lifeline. Chris has a master's degree in history and teaches at the University of Northern Colorado. Later in the chapter, in the general enumeration of the children born in Paddan-ar am, the writer fails to except Benjamin (Genesis 35:24). As they sat on the earthen floor of the prison looking at each other in silence, they felt amazed and full of sorrow, thinking that they would never see their tents and their little ones again. Benjamin Is Born -Jacob and his family had left Bethel and were still a long way from Ephrath, when the time came for Rachel's baby to be born. His mother, Rachel, who died in giving birth to Benjamin, named him with her last breath Benoni son of sorrow. Jacob changed the name to Benjamin (Gen. 35:18, 24). 15That day 26,000 men armed with swords came from Benjamins cities and organized for battle along with 700 of Gibeahs best men. Proud member "We belong to one family of twelve brothers," Judah replied. The younger son of Jacob by Rachel ( Genesis 35:18 ). 39Then the men of Israel would turn around in the battle. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Benjamin-Hebrew-tribe, Benjamin - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). This time they slaughtered 18,000 men from Israel who were armed with swords. Was he still angry? What can we learn from the tribe of Simeon? Nothing personal is known of him. But the men of Israel had said, Lets flee in order to lead them from the city to the roads. 33So the men of Israel left their positions. Benjamin. Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! The Tribe of Benjamin Each son became the progenitor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Judges 21 GNT - Wives for the Tribe of Benjamin - Bible Gateway The prophecy of Jacob regarding Benjamin is short and easily verified. He waved them away with his hand, and the Egyptian soldiers pushed them out at the door, telling them that they must come away at once to prison. The southern boundary ran from Kiriath-jearim eas tward to the fountain of the waters of Netophah, swept round by the south of Jerrus and passed down through the wilderness northern by shore of the Dead Sea at the mouth of the Jordan. Who are your friends?" The ten Hebrews could scarcely speak for terror. Copyright 1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by Gods Word to the Nations Mission Society. ben'-ja-min (binyamin, or binyamin; Beniaein, Beniamin): The youngest of Jacob's sons. "Come nearer to me, I beg of you," he pleaded. Though Saul was portrayed negatively in the Hebrew Bible, he expanded the Israelite territory significantly, conquered many regions, and made alliances with other regions. Paul reminds the Jews in Pisidian Antioch of the Benjamite origin of their first king (Acts 13:21). 23The Israelites went and cried in the presence of the Lord until evening. What Does Benjamin Mean? Bible Definition and References [19][20] The classical rabbinical tradition adds that each son's name honors Joseph:[7], There is a disparity between the list given in Genesis 46 and that in Numbers 26, where the sons of Benjamin are listed along with the tribes they are the progenitors of.[21]. Benjamin answered with a low bow; and Joseph said, "May God be gracious to thee, my son!" Answer Benjamin was a son of Jacob and head of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. TK Waters has been an adjunct professor of religion at Western Kentucky University for six years. Give me your advice right now!. [15][16], The description of Benjamin being born after the arrival in Canaan is thought by some scholars to refer to the tribe of Benjamin coming into existence by branching from the Joseph group after the tribe had settled in Canaan. They slaughtered 22,000 of Israels men. Ten sons of Benjamin are named at the time of their settlement in Egypt (Genesis 46:21). Rachel's father Laban was known as a shepherd and from that context . Who Was Benjamin In The Bible? A Character Study | Jack Wellman - Patheos They caught up with another 2,000 and killed them near Gidom. Corrections? They could no longer doubt that he spoke the truth to them; and as they came forward he clasped them in his arms one by one, weeping for very joy. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Although Jacob's favorite son was Joseph, it was fairly evident that his second favorite son was Benjamin--probably because they were the two sons of his favorite wife. They even said, Israel is completely defeated, just like in the first battle.. When Joseph calmed down, he returned and ordered that lunch be served. Tribe of Gad Backstory & Symbol | What is the Tribe of Gad? [ b] Read full chapter Footnotes After the reign of David's son Solomon, the kingdom was divided into a Northern Kingdom of Israel and a Southern Kingdom of Judah. In the history where Benjamin appears as an object of solicitude to his father and brothers, we must not forget that he was already a grown man. They could not return to their old father without him. What is the significance of Gibeah in the Bible? The tribe seems to have met the challenge of this position, becoming known for its skillful archers and slingers. Mounted on strong camels, and followed by a string of asses with the empty corn-sacks on their backs, the ten brothers left the Vale of Hebron, and rode slowly across the hot desert to one of the gates of the great Egyptian wall. Jacob was glad to see them again, but he would not believe their story about Simeon being left behind; and he refused to let them have Benjamin, for he said that Joseph was once taken and never came back, and that the same fate would befall the other son of his old age. Pulling his black wig down over his brow to hide his pleasure, he ordered them to be brought in; and when they came and knelt before him, it was not on Judah or Reuben, but on the young man Benjamin, that he fixed his searching eyes. By the time of the division of the Promised Land, leadership of the tribe of Benjamin had fallen to Elidad the son of Chislon (34:21). A close alliance was formed between this tribe and that of Judah in the time of David ( 2 Samuel 19:16 2 Samuel 19:17 ), which continued after his death ( 1Kings 11:13 ; 12:20 ). But the next verse tells us that Rehoboam gathered the men of Judah and Benjamin to fight against Jeroboam. But when they confronted the people of Benjamin, the Benjamites chose to protect the guilty parties and refused to turn them over for justice ( Judges 20:12-14 ). "Is this your younger brother, of whom you spoke?" lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. 14So the men of Benjamin went from their towns and assembled at Gibeah to go to war with the men of Israel. The region was an ideal space for religious, trade, and agricultural purposes. It seems probable that as Jerusalem had now become the royal city of the house of David, the adjoining parts of Benjamin proved loyal, while the more distant joined the Northern Kingdom. They killed all the people and cattle they found in every city. His old father, too, would be anxious. They were dumb with wonder. Scholars aren't sure whether Ephrath is another name for Bethlehem or Bethel. Next morning they were sent home with their asses laden with well-filled corn-sacks. Updates? [7], In the narrative, just prior to this test, when Joseph had first met all of his brothers (but not identified himself to them), he had held a feast for them;[10] the narrative heavily implies that Benjamin was Joseph's favorite brother, since he is overcome with tears when he first meets Benjamin in particular,[11] and he gives Benjamin five times as much food as he apportions to the others. They have a master's degree in religious studies from Western Kentucky University and a bachelor's degree in English literature and religious studies from Western Kentucky University. He also snuck his goblet into Benjamin's sack, which he then used as a pretext to detain them. In 586 BCE, the Neo-Babylonian Empire conquered and destroyed much of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, causing those in Judah--which included the Benjamites--to flee into exile. The brothers wrung their hands at these words, and their hearts sank within them. It has open gates for all the tribes of Israel. They were all experienced men. Cracking his whip as he went, the Egyptian drove along the road, and soon overtook the returning travellers. At the time of the descent of Israel to Egypt Joseph was about 40 years of age. 20:2; 37:13; 38:7; Zech. As with Jewish tradition, it also further links a connection between the names of Benjamin's children and Joseph. What can we learn from the tribe of Ephraim? View history According to the Torah, the Tribe of Benjamin ( Hebrew: , Modern: Bnyamn, Tiberian: Bnymn) was one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. His brother had grown so much that he hardly knew him for the little boy who used to run about the camp holding his hand as he took him to see the little lambs and the small black kids at play. At the division of the kingdom, we might have expected Benjamin to join in the revolt against Rehoboam and secede with the other tribes leaving Judah alone. 6So I took my concubine and cut her into pieces. succeed. Read Chapter All Versions Genesis 49:27 27 "Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he devours the prey, in the evening he divides the plunder." Read Chapter All Versions 1 Chronicles 12:2 7All you people of Israel, tell me what you think. Personal courage and martial temperament, a characteristic of the Benjamites throughout history, are before us in Benjamin as a ravening wolf devouring the prey and dividing the spoil. He is the only son born in the land of Canaan. After the death of Saul, the tribe of Benjamin remained faithful to his house. 1. He bade them make up a little present of honey and dates and simple country things for the terrible Egyptian, hoping that the great man would not be unkind to his youngest son. 33:12). Benjamin, according to biblical tradition, one of the 12 tribes that constituted the people of Israel, and one of the two tribes (along with Judah) that later became the Jewish people. Benjamin was the last, the bravest and the best-beloved tribe of all the tribes of Israel, the center of the affections of the whole family, and the dwelling place of the beloved of the Lord (Deut. Easy-to-Read Version (ERV). By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. Issachar in the Bible | Tribe, Sons, Mantle & Characteristics. 6. Joseph Tests His Brothers (Genesis 43-44) | Bible.org On that day the Israelites slaughtered 25,100 men from Benjamin who were armed with swords. Benjamite sympathies might well have been divided, but it seems impossible that Rehoboam could have allowed the tribe to secede with the N. After all, Jerusalem, the royal city, lay within the borders of Benjamin and to let Benjamin go would render the position of Jerusalem as the capital city untenable. The only place where there is a discrepancy is in the list of Benjamin's sons.
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