tom lowe
1/27/2022
Benjamin
*tom lowe
1/27/2022
Benjamin
*Benjamin is Jacob's twelfth son and a full brother to Joseph. Rachel names him Benoni with her dying breath, which means "son of my misfortune" or "son of my sorrow." After her death, Jacob changes his name to Benjamin, meaning "son of my good fortune" or "son of my right hand." Some scholars think the reference to "my right hand" is a metaphor for strength. Others think it means "south," referring either to his birth or the future location of the Tribe of Benjamin as one of the southern tribes. Jacob changes the unfavorable nature of the name to a more favorable one. Nothing more is heard about Benjamin until the time of the famine.
Benjamin Facts (Truths)
Description
Benjamin was the last of the two sons of Jacob and Rachel in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. He was also the ancestor of the Israelite Tribe of Benjamin. According to the biblical narrative, unlike Rachel's first son, Joseph, Benjamin was born in Canaan.
Born: 1553 BC, Canaan
Children: Abihud, Muppim, Huppim, Bela, Beker, Rosh, Naaman, Ashbel, Ard, Ehi, Gera
Siblings: Joseph, Judah, Levi, Simeon, Reuben, Zebulun, Issachar, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Dan, Dinah
Parents: Jacob, Rachel
Grandchildren: Ard, Naaman
The Torah is Joseph's narrative. When Joseph is unrecognized by his brothers, he describes Joseph as testing whether his brothers have reformed by secretly planting a silver cup in Benjamin's bag. Then, publicly searching the bags for it, and after finding it in Benjamin's possession, demanding that Benjamin become his slave as a punishment.
The narrative states that Judah (on behalf of the other brothers) begged Joseph not to enslave Benjamin and instead enslave him since the enslavement of Benjamin would break Jacob's heart. This caused Joseph to recant and reveal his identity. The midrashic book of Jasher argues that prior to revealing his identity, Joseph asked Benjamin to find his missing brother (i.e., Joseph) via astrology, using an astrolabe-like tool. It continues by stating that Benjamin divined that the man on the throne was Joseph, so Joseph identified himself to Benjamin (but not the other brothers) and revealed his scheme (as in the Torah) to test how fraternal the other brothers were.
Some classical rabbinical sources argue that Joseph identified himself for other reasons. In these sources, Benjamin swore an oath, on the memory of Joseph, that he was innocent of theft and, when challenged about how believable the oath would be, explained that remembering Joseph was so important to him that he had named his sons in Joseph's honor. These sources state that Benjamin's oath touched Joseph so deeply that Joseph was no longer able to pretend to be a stranger.
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; the narrative heavily implies that Benjamin was Joseph's favorite brother since he is overcome with tears when he first meets Benjamin in particular, and he gives Benjamin five times as much food as he apportions to the others. According to textual scholars, this is the *Jahwist's account of the reunion after Joseph identifies himself. The account of the threat to enslave Benjamin is just the Elohist's version of the same event, with the *Elohist being terser about Joseph's emotions towards Benjamin, merely mentioning that Benjamin was given five times as many gifts as the others.
*Jahwist. The Jahwist, or Yahwist, often abbreviated J, is one of the most widely recognized sources of the Pentateuch (Torah), together with the Deuteronomist, the Priestly source, and the *Elohist. The Jahwist is so named because of its characteristic use of the term Yahweh (German: Jahwe; Hebrew: ????) for God. The existence of the Jahwist is somewhat controversial, with a few scholars, especially in Europe, denying that it ever existed as a coherent independent document. Nevertheless, many scholars do assume its existence, and date its composition to the period of the Babylonian captivity (597–539 BCE) or perhaps somewhat later.
* Elohist:
1. Elohist: an author of an Elohistic document
2. archaic: a priestly writer
An exterior view of a *Mamluk caravanserai complex, including the mausoleum of Nabi Yamin, traditionally believed to be the tomb of Benjamin, located outside Kfar Saba, Israel.
*Mamluk translated as "one who is owned," meaning "slave."
Origin
Biblical scholars believe, due to their geographic overlap (connection) and their treatment in older passages, that Ephraim and Manasseh were initially considered one tribe, that is, the tribe of Joseph. According to several biblical scholars, Benjamin was also originally part of this single tribe, but the biblical account of Joseph, like his father, became lost.
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. Several biblical scholars suspect that the distinction of the Joseph tribes (including Benjamin) is that they were the only Israelites who went to Egypt and returned. In contrast, the main Israelite tribes emerged as a subculture from the Canaanites and had remained in Canaan throughout.
According to this view, the story of Jacob's visit to Laban to obtain a wife originated as a metaphor for this migration, with the property and family which were gained from Laban representing the gains of the Joseph tribes by the time they returned from Egypt. 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.
Benjamin's sons
According to Genesis 46:21, Benjamin had ten sons: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard. The name of his wife/wives is not given, but the Book of Jubilees calls his wife Ijasaka, and the Book of Jasher mentions two wives, Mechalia, the daughter of Aram Aribath, the daughter of Shomron. The classical rabbinical tradition adds that each son's name honors Joseph:
• Belah (meaning swallow), about Joseph disappearing (being swallowed up)
• Becher (meaning firstborn), about Joseph being the first child of Rachel
• Ashbel (meaning capture), about Joseph having suffered captivity
• Gera (meaning grain), about Joseph living in a foreign land (Egypt)
• Naaman (meaning grace), about Joseph having a graceful speech
• Ehi (meaning my brother), about Joseph being Benjamin's only full-brother (as opposed to half-brothers)
• Rosh (meaning elder), about Joseph being older than Benjamin
• Muppim (meaning double mouth), about Joseph passing on what Jacob had taught him
• Huppim (meaning marriage canopies), about Joseph being married in Egypt while Benjamin was not there
• Ard (meaning wanderer/fugitive), about Joseph being like a rose
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.
• Belah, the progenitor of the Belaites, is in both lists
• Ashbel, the progenitor of the Ashbelites, is on both lists
• Ahiram, the progenitor of the Ahiramites, appears in this list but is not the first
• Shupham, the progenitor of the Shuphamites, corresponds to Muppim from the first list
• Hupham, the progenitor of the Huphamites, corresponds to Huppim from the first list
Becher, Gera, Ehi, and Rosh are omitted from the second list. Ard and Naaman, who are the sons of Benjamin according to Numbers 26, are listed as the sons of Belah and are the ancestors of the Ardites and the Naamites, respectively.
In Islam
Though not named in the Quran, Benjamin (Arabic: Benyamýn) is referred to as the righteous youngest son of Yaqub in the narrative of Yusuf in Islamic tradition. However, Islamic tradition does not provide much detail regarding Benjamin's life and refers to him as being born from Jacob's wife, Rahýl. As with Jewish tradition, it also further links a connection between the names of Benjamin's children and Joseph.
Benjamin was a son of Jacob and head of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Benjamin was the twelfth-born and youngest son in Jacob's family. He was born to Jacob's wife, Rachel, making Benjamin the full brother of Joseph. His story is found in Genesis chapters 35–49. It is here that we learn of his birth (Genesis 35); his relationship with his father and brothers (Genesis 37, 42–45); his relationship with Joseph (Genesis 43–45); his children (Genesis 46); and the blessing he received from his father (Genesis 46:21).
Jacob had two wives, Rachel and Leah. He loved Rachel with such fervor that he worked for her dad for seven years to earn the right to marry her (Genesis 29:18), seven years that "seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her" (Genesis 29:20). This love helps us understand Jacob's affection for Benjamin, born to his beloved Rachel. Rachel had great difficulty giving birth to Benjamin, although she did not know she would have another son. Her midwife told her that she had another son. Rachel died in childbirth as soon after she died, but as she was dying, she named her son Ben-Oni, which means "Son of My Trouble." Jacob renamed him Benjamin, "Son of My Right Hand" (Genesis 35:18).
Benjamin was not part of the conspiracy his ten older brothers concocted to kill their brother Joseph. Later, when the brothers had to travel to Egypt to seek food during a famine, Jacob's love for his youngest son compelled him to keep Benjamin home "because he was afraid that harm might come to him" (Genesis 42:4). The other brothers traveled to Egypt and met with the governor of Egypt (Joseph, whom his brothers did not recognize). Joseph tested his brothers by accusing them of spying and demanding that they prove their honesty by bringing Benjamin back with them: "You will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here" (Genesis 42:15). Joseph shut them all in prison for three days and then released Simeon. The others returned home with the grain they had purchased, and Joseph's money was secretly returned to them (verse 25).
Back in Canaan, Jacob laments his predicament: "You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more, and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me!" (Genesis 42:36). For a while, Jacob refused to allow Benjamin to go back to Egypt (verse 38). He later relented when they ran out of grain, and Judah promised to guarantee Benjamin's safe return (Genesis 43:8–9).
Upon arriving in Egypt, the brothers presented themselves to Joseph, who was still unrecognized. Joseph, as he greeted the brothers this second time, "looked about and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother's son, [and] he asked, 'Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?' Moreover, he said, 'God be gracious to you, my son.' Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep" (Genesis 43:29–30).
Joseph showed favor to Benjamin by preparing five times more food and drink for him than for his brothers when they gathered for dinner (Genesis 43:34). When it came time for the children of Israel to return to their father, Joseph used Benjamin to test them further. Joseph placed a silver cup in Benjamin's bag and the grain's money (Genesis 44:1–2). Joseph let his brothers set out on their journey and then sent a steward after them to feign outrage that they possessed stolen property. The brothers proclaimed their innocence, but, sure enough, the silver cup was found in Benjamin's possession; the brothers tore their garments in grief (verses 3–13). As punishment for their "crime," Joseph demanded that Benjamin remains in Egypt. However, Judah—the identical brother who had suggested years earlier that Joseph be sold into slavery—pleads with Joseph, saying, "Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord's slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. How can I return to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Do not let me see the misery that would come on my father" (Genesis 44:33–34). So, the brothers passed the test; they demonstrated a genuine change of heart from when they had mistreated Joseph.
Joseph finally revealed himself to his brothers: "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! Moreover, now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that . . . God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God" (Genesis 45:4–8). Joseph then instructed his brothers to bring their father and all they possessed to Egypt, and "he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping" (verse 14).
The tribe of Benjamin became famous for their skill in battle and warlike nature. Years later, as Jacob prepared to die in Egypt, he blessed Benjamin, saying, "Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he devours the prey, in the evening he divides the plunder" (Genesis 49:27). We learn more about Benjamin and the tribe of Benjamin throughout the books of Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, and Judges. Descendants of Benjamin include Ehud, one of the judges; Saul, Israel's first king; Queen Esther; and the apostle Paul.
According to biblical tradition, Benjamin was 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. The tribe was named after two children born to Jacob (also called Israel) and his second wife, Rachel.
Fast Facts
• Benjamin is Jacob's twelfth son and a full brother to Joseph.
• He is the only son born in the land of Canaan.
• Jacob and his family are approaching Ephrath when Rachel goes into labor.
• Scholars aren't sure whether Ephrath is another name for Bethlehem or Bethel.
• Rachel dies shortly after Benjamin's birth.
• With her dying breath, she names him Benoni, which means "son of my misfortune" or "son of my sorrow."
• After her death, Jacob changes his name to Benjamin, meaning "son of my good fortune" or "son of my right hand."
• Some scholars think the reference to "my right hand" is a metaphor for strength. Others think it means "south," referring either to the place of his birth or the future location of the Tribe of Benjamin as one of the southern tribes.
• Jacob changes the unfavorable nature of the name to a more favorable one.
• Nothing more is heard about Benjamin until the time of the famine.
• When Jacob sends his sons to Egypt to buy grain, he keeps Benjamin at home.
• He is afraid some harm might come to him.
• When Joseph questions the motives of the ten brothers, one blurts out that they used to be twelve. The youngest is with their father.
• Joseph tests them by saying they must bring the youngest brother to him.
• After keeping them in prison for three days, Joseph sends nine of them home with grain. He keeps Simeon until they return with Benjamin.
• The brothers return home and tell Jacob that Benjamin must accompany them.
• Jacob flat out refuses saying, "My son will not go down with you. His brother is dead and he is all I have left. If something bad happens to him on the road, you'll put my gray, sorrowing head in the grave."
• Eventually, however, the grain runs out.
• Jacob has to relent; he sends Benjamin with his nine brothers back to Egypt.
• Upon seeing Benjamin, Joseph invites the brothers to dine with him at his house.
• Benjamin is served five times more than his brothers.
• As the brothers are leaving, Joseph instructs his steward to put his divining cup in Benjamin's sack.
• After giving them a head start, Joseph instructs his steward to confront them.
• The brothers all deny having the cup.
• They are convinced of their innocence. They promise that if the cup is found among them, that brother will die, and the rest of them will become Joseph's slaves.
• The cup is found in Benjamin's sack.
• The brothers tear their clothes and accompany Benjamin back to Egypt.
• They beg for Benjamin's life; Judah offers his life instead of Benjamin's.
• They reaffirm how grieved their father will be if anything happens to Benjamin.
• At this point, Joseph reveals himself to his brothers.
• After inviting all of them to join him in Egypt, Joseph gives them provisions for the journey and a set of garments; Joseph gives three hundred pieces of silver and five sets of garments to Benjamin.
• Benjamin goes with Jacob and his descendants to Egypt.
• The children of Benjamin include ten sons: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard.
• Scholars think each name is a tribute to Joseph.
• Bela, means, "swallow," and refers to Joseph being swallowed up.
• Becher, means, "first born," and honors Joseph as Rachel's firstborn.
• Ashbel means "capture," a reference to Joseph's captivity.
• Gera means "grain," referring to Joseph's role as governor in Egypt.
• Naaman means "grace" and refers to Joseph's eloquent speech.
• Ehi means "my brother" and refers to Joseph as Benjamin's only full brother.
• Rosh means "elder," referring to Joseph being older than Benjamin.
• Muppim means "double mouth," about Joseph carrying on Jacob's legacy.
• Huppim means "marriage canopies," a reference to Joseph's marriage.
• Ard means "wanderer/fugitive," referring to Joseph's early life in Egypt.
• Upon his deathbed, Jacob gives a blessing for Benjamin.
• He says, "Benjamin is a ravenous wolf, in the morning devouring the prey, and at evening dividing the spoil."
• Indeed, the Tribe of Benjamin is known for its warriors.
• Ehud, Saul, and Jonathan come from this tribe. So does the apostle Paul.
• The tribes of Benjamin and Judah comprise the southern kingdom.
edback
After her death, Jacob changes his name to Benjamin, meaning "son of my good fortune" or "son of my right hand." Some scholars think the reference to "my right hand" is a metaphor for strength. Others think it means "south," referring either to his birth or the future location of the Tribe of Benjamin as one of the southern tribes. Jacob changes the unfavorable nature of the name to a more favorable one. Nothing more is heard about Benjamin until the time of the famine.
Benjamin Facts (Truths)
Description
Benjamin was the last of the two sons of Jacob and Rachel in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. He was also the ancestor of the Israelite Tribe of Benjamin. According to the biblical narrative, unlike Rachel's first son, Joseph, Benjamin was born in Canaan.
Born: 1553 BC, Canaan
Children: Abihud, Muppim, Huppim, Bela, Beker, Rosh, Naaman, Ashbel, Ard, Ehi, Gera
Siblings: Joseph, Judah, Levi, Simeon, Reuben, Zebulun, Issachar, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Dan, Dinah
Parents: Jacob, Rachel
Grandchildren: Ard, Naaman
The Torah is Joseph's narrative. When Joseph is unrecognized by his brothers, he describes Joseph as testing whether his brothers have reformed by secretly planting a silver cup in Benjamin's bag. Then, publicly searching the bags for it, and after finding it in Benjamin's possession, demanding that Benjamin become his slave as a punishment.
The narrative states that Judah (on behalf of the other brothers) begged Joseph not to enslave Benjamin and instead enslave him since the enslavement of Benjamin would break Jacob's heart. This caused Joseph to recant and reveal his identity. The midrashic book of Jasher argues that prior to revealing his identity, Joseph asked Benjamin to find his missing brother (i.e., Joseph) via astrology, using an astrolabe-like tool. It continues by stating that Benjamin divined that the man on the throne was Joseph, so Joseph identified himself to Benjamin (but not the other brothers) and revealed his scheme (as in the Torah) to test how fraternal the other brothers were.
Some classical rabbinical sources argue that Joseph identified himself for other reasons. In these sources, Benjamin swore an oath, on the memory of Joseph, that he was innocent of theft and, when challenged about how believable the oath would be, explained that remembering Joseph was so important to him that he had named his sons in Joseph's honor. These sources state that Benjamin's oath touched Joseph so deeply that Joseph was no longer able to pretend to be a stranger.
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; the narrative heavily implies that Benjamin was Joseph's favorite brother since he is overcome with tears when he first meets Benjamin in particular, and he gives Benjamin five times as much food as he apportions to the others. According to textual scholars, this is the *Jahwist's account of the reunion after Joseph identifies himself. The account of the threat to enslave Benjamin is just the Elohist's version of the same event, with the *Elohist being terser about Joseph's emotions towards Benjamin, merely mentioning that Benjamin was given five times as many gifts as the others.
*Jahwist. The Jahwist, or Yahwist, often abbreviated J, is one of the most widely recognized sources of the Pentateuch (Torah), together with the Deuteronomist, the Priestly source, and the *Elohist. The Jahwist is so named because of its characteristic use of the term Yahweh (German: Jahwe; Hebrew: ????) for God. The existence of the Jahwist is somewhat controversial, with a few scholars, especially in Europe, denying that it ever existed as a coherent independent document. Nevertheless, many scholars do assume its existence, and date its composition to the period of the Babylonian captivity (597–539 BCE) or perhaps somewhat later.
* Elohist:
1. Elohist: an author of an Elohistic document
2. archaic: a priestly writer
An exterior view of a *Mamluk caravanserai complex, including the mausoleum of Nabi Yamin, traditionally believed to be the tomb of Benjamin, located outside Kfar Saba, Israel.
*Mamluk translated as "one who is owned," meaning "slave."
Origin
Biblical scholars believe, due to their geographic overlap (connection) and their treatment in older passages, that Ephraim and Manasseh were initially considered one tribe, that is, the tribe of Joseph. According to several biblical scholars, Benjamin was also originally part of this single tribe, but the biblical account of Joseph, like his father, became lost.
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. Several biblical scholars suspect that the distinction of the Joseph tribes (including Benjamin) is that they were the only Israelites who went to Egypt and returned. In contrast, the main Israelite tribes emerged as a subculture from the Canaanites and had remained in Canaan throughout.
According to this view, the story of Jacob's visit to Laban to obtain a wife originated as a metaphor for this migration, with the property and family which were gained from Laban representing the gains of the Joseph tribes by the time they returned from Egypt. 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.
Benjamin's sons
According to Genesis 46:21, Benjamin had ten sons: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard. The name of his wife/wives is not given, but the Book of Jubilees calls his wife Ijasaka, and the Book of Jasher mentions two wives, Mechalia, the daughter of Aram Aribath, the daughter of Shomron. The classical rabbinical tradition adds that each son's name honors Joseph:
• Belah (meaning swallow), about Joseph disappearing (being swallowed up)
• Becher (meaning firstborn), about Joseph being the first child of Rachel
• Ashbel (meaning capture), about Joseph having suffered captivity
• Gera (meaning grain), about Joseph living in a foreign land (Egypt)
• Naaman (meaning grace), about Joseph having a graceful speech
• Ehi (meaning my brother), about Joseph being Benjamin's only full-brother (as opposed to half-brothers)
• Rosh (meaning elder), about Joseph being older than Benjamin
• Muppim (meaning double mouth), about Joseph passing on what Jacob had taught him
• Huppim (meaning marriage canopies), about Joseph being married in Egypt while Benjamin was not there
• Ard (meaning wanderer/fugitive), about Joseph being like a rose
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.
• Belah, the progenitor of the Belaites, is in both lists
• Ashbel, the progenitor of the Ashbelites, is on both lists
• Ahiram, the progenitor of the Ahiramites, appears in this list but is not the first
• Shupham, the progenitor of the Shuphamites, corresponds to Muppim from the first list
• Hupham, the progenitor of the Huphamites, corresponds to Huppim from the first list
Becher, Gera, Ehi, and Rosh are omitted from the second list. Ard and Naaman, who are the sons of Benjamin according to Numbers 26, are listed as the sons of Belah and are the ancestors of the Ardites and the Naamites, respectively.
In Islam
Though not named in the Quran, Benjamin (Arabic: Benyamýn) is referred to as the righteous youngest son of Yaqub in the narrative of Yusuf in Islamic tradition. However, Islamic tradition does not provide much detail regarding Benjamin's life and refers to him as being born from Jacob's wife, Rahýl. As with Jewish tradition, it also further links a connection between the names of Benjamin's children and Joseph.
Benjamin was a son of Jacob and head of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Benjamin was the twelfth-born and youngest son in Jacob's family. He was born to Jacob's wife, Rachel, making Benjamin the full brother of Joseph. His story is found in Genesis chapters 35–49. It is here that we learn of his birth (Genesis 35); his relationship with his father and brothers (Genesis 37, 42–45); his relationship with Joseph (Genesis 43–45); his children (Genesis 46); and the blessing he received from his father (Genesis 46:21).
Jacob had two wives, Rachel and Leah. He loved Rachel with such fervor that he worked for her dad for seven years to earn the right to marry her (Genesis 29:18), seven years that "seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her" (Genesis 29:20). This love helps us understand Jacob's affection for Benjamin, born to his beloved Rachel. Rachel had great difficulty giving birth to Benjamin, although she did not know she would have another son. Her midwife told her that she had another son. Rachel died in childbirth as soon after she died, but as she was dying, she named her son Ben-Oni, which means "Son of My Trouble." Jacob renamed him Benjamin, "Son of My Right Hand" (Genesis 35:18).
Benjamin was not part of the conspiracy his ten older brothers concocted to kill their brother Joseph. Later, when the brothers had to travel to Egypt to seek food during a famine, Jacob's love for his youngest son compelled him to keep Benjamin home "because he was afraid that harm might come to him" (Genesis 42:4). The other brothers traveled to Egypt and met with the governor of Egypt (Joseph, whom his brothers did not recognize). Joseph tested his brothers by accusing them of spying and demanding that they prove their honesty by bringing Benjamin back with them: "You will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here" (Genesis 42:15). Joseph shut them all in prison for three days and then released Simeon. The others returned home with the grain they had purchased, and Joseph's money was secretly returned to them (verse 25).
Back in Canaan, Jacob laments his predicament: "You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more, and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me!" (Genesis 42:36). For a while, Jacob refused to allow Benjamin to go back to Egypt (verse 38). He later relented when they ran out of grain, and Judah promised to guarantee Benjamin's safe return (Genesis 43:8–9).
Upon arriving in Egypt, the brothers presented themselves to Joseph, who was still unrecognized. Joseph, as he greeted the brothers this second time, "looked about and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother's son, [and] he asked, 'Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?' Moreover, he said, 'God be gracious to you, my son.' Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep" (Genesis 43:29–30).
Joseph showed favor to Benjamin by preparing five times more food and drink for him than for his brothers when they gathered for dinner (Genesis 43:34). When it came time for the children of Israel to return to their father, Joseph used Benjamin to test them further. Joseph placed a silver cup in Benjamin's bag and the grain's money (Genesis 44:1–2). Joseph let his brothers set out on their journey and then sent a steward after them to feign outrage that they possessed stolen property. The brothers proclaimed their innocence, but, sure enough, the silver cup was found in Benjamin's possession; the brothers tore their garments in grief (verses 3–13). As punishment for their "crime," Joseph demanded that Benjamin remains in Egypt. However, Judah—the identical brother who had suggested years earlier that Joseph be sold into slavery—pleads with Joseph, saying, "Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord's slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. How can I return to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Do not let me see the misery that would come on my father" (Genesis 44:33–34). So, the brothers passed the test; they demonstrated a genuine change of heart from when they had mistreated Joseph.
Joseph finally revealed himself to his brothers: "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! Moreover, now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that . . . God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God" (Genesis 45:4–8). Joseph then instructed his brothers to bring their father and all they possessed to Egypt, and "he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping" (verse 14).
The tribe of Benjamin became famous for their skill in battle and warlike nature. Years later, as Jacob prepared to die in Egypt, he blessed Benjamin, saying, "Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he devours the prey, in the evening he divides the plunder" (Genesis 49:27). We learn more about Benjamin and the tribe of Benjamin throughout the books of Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, and Judges. Descendants of Benjamin include Ehud, one of the judges; Saul, Israel's first king; Queen Esther; and the apostle Paul.
According to biblical tradition, Benjamin was 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. The tribe was named after two children born to Jacob (also called Israel) and his second wife, Rachel.
Fast Facts
• Benjamin is Jacob's twelfth son and a full brother to Joseph.
• He is the only son born in the land of Canaan.
• Jacob and his family are approaching Ephrath when Rachel goes into labor.
• Scholars aren't sure whether Ephrath is another name for Bethlehem or Bethel.
• Rachel dies shortly after Benjamin's birth.
• With her dying breath, she names him Benoni, which means "son of my misfortune" or "son of my sorrow."
• After her death, Jacob changes his name to Benjamin, meaning "son of my good fortune" or "son of my right hand."
• Some scholars think the reference to "my right hand" is a metaphor for strength. Others think it means "south," referring either to the place of his birth or the future location of the Tribe of Benjamin as one of the southern tribes.
• Jacob changes the unfavorable nature of the name to a more favorable one.
• Nothing more is heard about Benjamin until the time of the famine.
• When Jacob sends his sons to Egypt to buy grain, he keeps Benjamin at home.
• He is afraid some harm might come to him.
• When Joseph questions the motives of the ten brothers, one blurts out that they used to be twelve. The youngest is with their father.
• Joseph tests them by saying they must bring the youngest brother to him.
• After keeping them in prison for three days, Joseph sends nine of them home with grain. He keeps Simeon until they return with Benjamin.
• The brothers return home and tell Jacob that Benjamin must accompany them.
• Jacob flat out refuses saying, "My son will not go down with you. His brother is dead and he is all I have left. If something bad happens to him on the road, you'll put my gray, sorrowing head in the grave."
• Eventually, however, the grain runs out.
• Jacob has to relent; he sends Benjamin with his nine brothers back to Egypt.
• Upon seeing Benjamin, Joseph invites the brothers to dine with him at his house.
• Benjamin is served five times more than his brothers.
• As the brothers are leaving, Joseph instructs his steward to put his divining cup in Benjamin's sack.
• After giving them a head start, Joseph instructs his steward to confront them.
• The brothers all deny having the cup.
• They are convinced of their innocence. They promise that if the cup is found among them, that brother will die, and the rest of them will become Joseph's slaves.
• The cup is found in Benjamin's sack.
• The brothers tear their clothes and accompany Benjamin back to Egypt.
• They beg for Benjamin's life; Judah offers his life instead of Benjamin's.
• They reaffirm how grieved their father will be if anything happens to Benjamin.
• At this point, Joseph reveals himself to his brothers.
• After inviting all of them to join him in Egypt, Joseph gives them provisions for the journey and a set of garments; Joseph gives three hundred pieces of silver and five sets of garments to Benjamin.
• Benjamin goes with Jacob and his descendants to Egypt.
• The children of Benjamin include ten sons: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard.
• Scholars think each name is a tribute to Joseph.
• Bela, means, "swallow," and refers to Joseph being swallowed up.
• Becher, means, "first born," and honors Joseph as Rachel's firstborn.
• Ashbel means "capture," a reference to Joseph's captivity.
• Gera means "grain," referring to Joseph's role as governor in Egypt.
• Naaman means "grace" and refers to Joseph's eloquent speech.
• Ehi means "my brother" and refers to Joseph as Benjamin's only full brother.
• Rosh means "elder," referring to Joseph being older than Benjamin.
• Muppim means "double mouth," about Joseph carrying on Jacob's legacy.
• Huppim means "marriage canopies," a reference to Joseph's marriage.
• Ard means "wanderer/fugitive," referring to Joseph's early life in Egypt.
• Upon his deathbed, Jacob gives a blessing for Benjamin.
• He says, "Benjamin is a ravenous wolf, in the morning devouring the prey, and at evening dividing the spoil."
• Indeed, the Tribe of Benjamin is known for its warriors.
• Ehud, Saul, and Jonathan come from this tribe. So does the apostle Paul.
• The tribes of Benjamin and Judah comprise the southern kingdom.
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