Genesis 46:21
The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard.
The sons of Benjamin:

Benjamin, Rachel’s younger son, entered Egypt with a growing household. His descendants became the tribe of Benjamin, a tribe known both for fierce warriors and for preserving Israel’s covenant identity through periods of national failure.

Num 26:38 These were the descendants of Benjamin by their clans:…
1Ch 7:6 The three sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, and Jediael.
Deu 33:12 Concerning Benjamin he said: “May the beloved of the LORD…

Bela,

Bela, whose name means “destruction” or “devouring,” became a leading Benjaminite clan. Later genealogies preserve his line, and his descendants remained prominent within the tribe.

Num 26:40 And the descendants of Bela from Ard and Naaman……
1Ch 7:7 The sons of Bela: Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel…
1Ch 9:35-44 Jeiel the father of Gibeon lived in Gibeon.…

Becher,

Becher, whose name means young camel or firstborn, is included in the records of Benjamin’s household. The genealogies of Chronicles continue to recognize Benjamin’s family lines as part of Israel’s enduring inheritance. Although not much is detailed about Becher in the biblical narrative, his inclusion in the genealogy underscores the completeness of the family record. His descendants are also noted in 1 Chronicles 7:8.

1Ch 7:8-9 The sons of Becher: Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer…
1Ch 12:2 they were archers using both the right and left hands…

Ashbel,

Ashbel, whose name means “man of Baal” or “fire of God,” became the ancestor of the Ashbelite clan counted among Israel in the wilderness. His line shows that the family entering Egypt later became an organized people under the Lord’s covenant.

1Ch 8:1 Benjamin was the father of Bela, his firstborn…
Jos 18:11-28 The first lot came up for the clans of the tribe of Benjamin…
1Ch 9:3-4 Some of the descendants of Judah, Benjamin…

Gera,

Gera, whose name means “grain” or “sojourner,” was a recurring Benjaminite name. Ehud, the judge who delivered Israel from Moab, was the son of Gera and belonged to Benjamin, showing the tribe’s later role in God’s deliverance of His people.

Jdg 3:15 And again they cried out to the LORD, and He raised up…
2Sa 16:5 As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the house…
1Ch 8:3 The sons of Bela: Addar, Gera, Abihud,

Naaman,

Naaman’s descendants formed a recognized clan within Benjamin. Naaman means “pleasant” or “beautiful.” His name appears again in the wilderness census among the families descended from Bela, in Numbers 26:40, indicating his family’s presence in the tribal records. The name is also associated with a Syrian commander healed by Elisha (2 Kings 5); though unrelated, it shows the name’s broader biblical usage.

1Ch 8:4 Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah,
1Sa 9:1-2 Now there was a Benjamite, a powerful man,…
1Ch 12:16-18 Other Benjamites and some men from Judah…

Ehi,

Ehi, also known as Ahiram in Numbers 26:38, means brotherly or my brother is exalted. Ehi is associated with Ahiram in the later tribal lists. Such genealogical records preserve the continuity of Benjamin’s family despite variations in the forms of some names.

Gen 35:18 And with her last breath—for she was dying—…
1Ch 27:12 The ninth, for the ninth month, was Abiezer the Anathothite,…
1Ki 12:21 And when Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, …

Rosh,

Rosh is named among Benjamin’s sons, bearing witness to the breadth of the household that came into Egypt. Even family lines not frequently mentioned elsewhere remained known to God and included in Israel’s history. Rosh means “head” or “chief.” While not much is detailed about Rosh in the biblical narrative, his inclusion signifies the importance of maintaining a complete genealogical record. The name also appears in Ezekiel 38:2, though unrelated, showing its recurrence in different contexts.

Gen 43:8-14 And Judah said to his father Israel, “Send the boy with me,…
Jdg 20:4 So the Levite, the husband of the murdered woman,…
2Sa 19:16-17 Then Shimei son of Gera, a Benjamite from Bahurim,…

Muppim,

Muppim is identified with the Benjaminite clan later called Shupham. Muppim, also known as Shupham or Shephupham in Numbers 26:39, means “serpent” or “covering.” The preserved line demonstrates how the Lord sustained Benjamin’s descendants through Egypt, the exodus, and settlement in the land.

1Ch 7:12 The Shuppites and Huppites were descendants…
Num 26:39 the Shuphamite clan from Shupham, and…
1Ch 8:6-7 These were the descendants of Ehud who were…

Huppim,

Huppim’s family appears later as the Huphamite clan. Huppim, also called Hupham, means “protected” or “covert.” Benjamin’s sons became the fathers of households whose names were retained in Israel’s official records.

Gen 42:4 But Jacob did not send Joseph’s brother Benjamin…
1Ch 8:30-40 and Abdon was his firstborn son, then Zur,…
1Sa 14:47-52 After Saul had assumed the kingship over Israel…

and Ard.

Ard, whose name means fugitive or one who wanders, like Naaman, is later listed among the descendants of Bela. Benjamin’s family, though small beside some of his brothers’ households, became a distinct tribe from which came Saul, Israel’s first king, and Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ.

Num 26:41 These were the clans of Benjamin, and their registration…
1Ch 8:13-14 and Beriah and Shema (who were the heads of families…
1Ch 9:1-3 So all Israel was recorded in the genealogies…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Benjamin
The youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, Benjamin is one of the twelve tribes of Israel. His descendants are listed in this verse.

2. Bela
The first son of Benjamin, whose name means "destruction" or "devouring."

3. Becher
The second son of Benjamin, his name means "young camel" or "firstborn."

4. Ashbel
The third son of Benjamin, his name means "a man of Baal" or "fire of God."

5. Gera
The fourth son of Benjamin, his name means "a grain" or "a stranger."

6. Naaman
The fifth son of Benjamin, his name means "pleasantness" or "gracious."

7. Ehi
The sixth son of Benjamin, his name means "my brother."

8. Rosh
The seventh son of Benjamin, his name means "head" or "chief."

9. Muppim
The eighth son of Benjamin, his name means "serpents" or "coverings."

10. Huppim
The ninth son of Benjamin, his name means "protected" or "covert."

11. Ard
The tenth son of Benjamin, his name means "one who wanders" or "fugitive."
Teaching Points
The Importance of Lineage
Understanding the genealogies in the Bible helps us see God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It reminds us of the importance of family heritage and spiritual legacy.

Names and Their Meanings
The meanings of the names of Benjamin's sons can offer insights into the cultural and spiritual context of the time. Reflecting on the significance of names can encourage us to consider the legacy we leave through our own names and actions.

God's Sovereignty in History
The listing of Benjamin's sons is a testament to God's sovereign plan in history. Each name represents a part of God's unfolding account, reminding us that our lives are part of a larger divine account.

Unity and Diversity in God's People
The diversity of names and meanings among Benjamin's sons reflects the diversity within the body of Christ. We are called to unity despite our differences, recognizing that each person has a unique role in God's kingdom.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the genealogy of Benjamin's sons in Genesis 46:21 reflect God's faithfulness to His promises to the patriarchs?

2. What can we learn from the meanings of the names of Benjamin's sons, and how might these meanings apply to our own lives and identities?

3. In what ways does the tribe of Benjamin's later history, as seen in other scriptures, illustrate the challenges and responsibilities of being part of God's chosen people?

4. How can understanding the genealogies in the Bible enhance our appreciation of God's sovereignty and His plan for humanity?

5. Reflect on the diversity within the tribe of Benjamin. How can this diversity inspire us to embrace unity within the body of Christ today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 35:18
This verse recounts the birth of Benjamin and the death of his mother, Rachel, highlighting the significance of Benjamin's lineage.

Numbers 26:38-41
This passage lists the descendants of Benjamin during the census in the wilderness, showing the growth and establishment of the tribe.

1 Chronicles 7:6-12
Chronicles provides another genealogy of Benjamin, offering additional context and details about his descendants.

Judges 20:46-48
This passage describes the tribe of Benjamin's involvement in a civil war within Israel, illustrating the tribe's later history and challenges.
The Beginning of the NationR.A. Redford Genesis 46:8-27
The Catalogue of the Children of IsraelT. H. Leale.Genesis 46:8-27
People
Aram, Ard, Areli, Arodi, Asenath, Ashbel, Asher, Becher, Bela, Belah, Benjamin, Beriah, Bilhah, Canaanitish, Carmi, Dan, Dinah, Egyptians, Ehi, Elon, Enoch, Er, Eri, Ezbon, Gad, Gera, Gershon, Guni, Haggai, Haggi, Hamul, Hanoch, Heber, Hezron, Huppim, Hushim, Imnah, Isaac, Ishuah, Issachar, Isui, Jachin, Jacob, Jahleel, Jahzeel, Jahziel, Jamin, Jashub, Jemuel, Jezer, Jimnah, Job, Joseph, Kohath, Laban, Leah, Levi, Malchiel, Manasseh, Merari, Muppim, Naaman, Naphtali, Ohad, Onan, Pallu, Perez, Phallu, Pharaoh, Pharez, Phuvah, Potipherah, Puah, Rachel, Reuben, Rosh, Sarah, Saul, Serah, Sered, Shaul, Shelah, Shillem, Shimron, Shuni, Simeon, Tola, Zarah, Zebulun, Zephon, Zerah, Zilpah, Ziphion, Zohar
Places
Beersheba, Canaan, Egypt, Goshen, On, Paddan-aram
Topics
Ard, Ashbel, Becher, Beker, Bela, Belah, Benjamin, Ehi, Gera, Huppim, Muppim, Naaman, Na'aman, Rosh, Sons
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Genesis 46:21

     7266   tribes of Israel

Genesis 46:8-27

     7230   genealogies

Library
Estimate of the Scope and Value of Jerome's Writings.
General. The writings of Jerome must be estimated not merely by their intrinsic merits, but by his historical position and influence. It has already been pointed out that he stands at the close of the old Græco-Roman civilisation: the last Roman poet of any repute, Claudian, and the last Roman historian, Ammianus Marcellinus, died before him. Augustin survived him, but the other great Fathers, both in the East and in the West, had passed away before him. The sack of Rome by Alaric (410) and
St. Jerome—The Principal Works of St. Jerome

Four Shaping Centuries
'Now these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt: every man and his household came with Jacob. 2. Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, 3. Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, 4. Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. 5. And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt already. 6. And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation. 7, And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Faith of Moses.
"By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw he was a goodly child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to be evil entreated with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he looked unto the recompense of reward. By faith he forsook
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines,
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6

But in Order that we Fall not Away from Continence...
10. But in order that we fall not away from Continence, we ought to watch specially against those snares of the suggestions of the devil, that we presume not of our own strength. For, "Cursed is every one that setteth his hope in man." [1838] And who is he, but man? We cannot therefore truly say that he setteth not his hope in man, who setteth it in himself. For this also, to "live after man," what is it but to "live after the flesh?" Whoso therefore is tempted by such a suggestion, let him hear,
St. Augustine—On Continence

Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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