Benjamin
Benjamin was the son of Jacob and Rachel and father of
the tribe of Benjamin, one of the twelve
tribes of Israel.
Originally named Ben-oni, or "son of my affliction"
by his mother as she lay dying in labor, his name was later changed
to Benjamin, meaning "son of my right hand" (Genesis
48:14). Next to Joseph,
he was his favorite son. Benjamin the twelfth son of Jacob and born
after Joseph was sold into slavery. After the family was invited to
Egypt, Joseph sabatoged Benjamin's sack by putting a silver cup in it
and accusing the brothers of stealing. Joseph thought Benjamin would
remain in Egypt but Judah offered to take his place, saying that his father would be devastated
if Benjamin did not return. Jacob later blesses Benjamin while on his
deathbed, calling Benjamin "a vicious wolf, devouring the prey
in the morning, and dividing the spoil at night" (Genesis
49:27).
The tribe of Benjamin settled in central Israel, a plot that included the cities of Jericho and Jerusalem.
Sources: Bridger, David. Ed. The
New Jewish Encyclopedia, NY: Behrman House, 1976; Navigating
the Bible II |