The Benjaminites, or the tribe of Benjamin, are one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel. The tribe holds a significant place in biblical history and narrative, often noted for its valor and strategic importance.

Ancestry and Early History

Benjamin, the progenitor of the tribe, was born to Jacob and Rachel in Paddan Aram. His birth is recorded in Genesis 35:16-18, where Rachel names him Ben-Oni, meaning "son of my sorrow," due to her dying in childbirth. However, Jacob renames him Benjamin, meaning "son of the right hand." The tribe of Benjamin is thus named after him, and his descendants are referred to as Benjaminites.

Territory and Settlement

The territory allotted to the Benjaminites is described in Joshua 18:11-28. It was strategically located between the tribes of Judah to the south and Ephraim to the north. This central location included significant cities such as Jericho, Bethel, Gibeon, and Jerusalem, which later became the capital of the united kingdom under King David. The Benjaminites' land was characterized by its hills and valleys, providing both defensible positions and fertile land.

Characteristics and Notable Figures

The Benjaminites were known for their skill in battle, particularly their proficiency with the sling and bow. Judges 20:16 highlights their left-handed warriors, who could sling stones with remarkable accuracy. This martial prowess is a recurring theme in their history.

One of the most notable figures from the tribe of Benjamin is King Saul, the first king of Israel, as recorded in 1 Samuel 9:1-2. Saul's kingship marked a significant transition from the period of the judges to the monarchy. Despite his initial success, Saul's reign was marred by disobedience to God, leading to his rejection as king.

Another prominent Benjaminite is the Apostle Paul, originally named Saul, who was a Pharisee and a zealous persecutor of Christians before his conversion. In Philippians 3:5, Paul identifies himself as "of the tribe of Benjamin," underscoring his Jewish heritage and credentials.

Civil War and Restoration

The tribe of Benjamin faced near extinction during a civil war with the other Israelite tribes, as recounted in Judges 19-21. This conflict arose from a grievous crime committed in Gibeah, a Benjaminite city, leading to a punitive expedition by the other tribes. The Benjaminites were nearly annihilated, with only 600 men surviving. However, the other tribes later sought to restore Benjamin, ensuring the tribe's continuity by providing wives for the surviving men.

Role in the Divided Kingdom

During the division of the united monarchy after Solomon's reign, the tribe of Benjamin remained loyal to the house of David, aligning with the tribe of Judah to form the Southern Kingdom of Judah (1 Kings 12:21). This alliance was significant in maintaining the Davidic line and the religious center in Jerusalem.

Legacy and Influence

The Benjaminites' legacy is marked by their resilience and strategic importance in Israel's history. Their central location and martial abilities made them key players in the unfolding narrative of the Israelite people. Despite periods of conflict and near destruction, the tribe of Benjamin persisted, contributing leaders and warriors to the nation of Israel. Their account is a testament to God's providence and the enduring nature of His promises to the tribes of Israel.Benjaminites (32 Occurrences)

Judges 19:16
And behold, an old man was coming from his work in the field at evening; the man was from the hill country of E'phraim, and he was sojourning in Gib'e-ah; the men of the place were Benjaminites.
(DBY WBS RSV)

Judges 20:3
(Now the Benjaminites heard that the people of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.) And the people of Israel said, "Tell us, how was this wickedness brought to pass?"
(DBY RSV)

Judges 20:13
Now therefore give up the men, the base fellows in Gib'e-ah, that we may put them to death, and put away evil from Israel." But the Benjaminites would not listen to the voice of their brethren, the people of Israel.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 20:14
And the Benjaminites came together out of the cities to Gib'e-ah, to go out to battle against the people of Israel.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 20:15
And the Benjaminites mustered out of their cities on that day twenty-six thousand men that drew the sword, besides the inhabitants of Gib'e-ah, who mustered seven hundred picked men.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 20:18
The people of Israel arose and went up to Bethel, and inquired of God, "Which of us shall go up first to battle against the Benjaminites?" And the LORD said, "Judah shall go up first."
(DBY RSV)

Judges 20:21
The Benjaminites came out of Gib'e-ah, and felled to the ground on that day twenty-two thousand men of the Israelites.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 20:23
And the people of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until the evening; and they inquired of the LORD, "Shall we again draw near to battle against our brethren the Benjaminites?" And the LORD said, "Go up against them."
(DBY RSV)

Judges 20:24
So the people of Israel came near against the Benjaminites the second day.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 20:28
and Phin'ehas the son of Elea'zar, son of Aaron, ministered before it in those days), saying, "Shall we yet again go out to battle against our brethren the Benjaminites, or shall we cease?" And the LORD said, "Go up; for tomorrow I will give them into your hand."
(DBY RSV)

Judges 20:30
And the people of Israel went up against the Benjaminites on the third day, and set themselves in array against Gib'e-ah, as at other times.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 20:31
And the Benjaminites went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and as at other times they began to smite and kill some of the people, in the highways, one of which goes up to Bethel and the other to Gib'e-ah, and in the open country, about thirty men of Israel.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 20:32
And the Benjaminites said, "They are routed before us, as at the first." But the men of Israel said, "Let us flee, and draw them away from the city to the highways."
(DBY RSV)

Judges 20:34
And there came against Gib'e-ah ten thousand picked men out of all Israel, and the battle was hard; but the Benjaminites did not know that disaster was close upon them.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 20:35
And the LORD smote Benjamin before Israel: and the children of Israel destroyed of the Benjaminites that day twenty and five thousand and a hundred men: all these drew the sword.
(WBS)

Judges 20:36
So the Benjaminites saw that they were defeated. The men of Israel gave ground to Benjamin, because they trusted to the men in ambush whom they had set against Gib'e-ah.
(DBY WBS RSV)

Judges 20:40
But when the signal began to rise out of the city in a column of smoke, the Benjaminites looked behind them; and behold, the whole of the city went up in smoke to heaven.
(DBY WBS RSV)

Judges 20:43
Cutting down the Benjaminites, they pursued them and trod them down from Nohah as far as opposite Gib'e-ah on the east.
(DBY WBS RSV)

Judges 20:48
And the men of Israel turned back against the Benjaminites, and smote them with the edge of the sword, men and beasts and all that they found. And all the towns which they found they set on fire.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 21:13
Then the whole congregation sent word to the Benjaminites who were at the rock of Rimmon, and proclaimed peace to them.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 21:20
And they commanded the Benjaminites, saying, "Go and lie in wait in the vineyards,
(DBY RSV)

Judges 21:23
And the Benjaminites did so, and took their wives, according to their number, from the dancers whom they carried off; then they went and returned to their inheritance, and rebuilt the towns, and dwelt in them.
(DBY RSV)

1 Samuel 9:4
And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjaminites, but they found them not.
(WBS)

1 Samuel 22:7
Then Saul said to his servants that stood by him, Hear now, ye Benjaminites: will the son of Jesse give every one of you also fields and vineyards? Will he make you all captains of thousands and captains of hundreds,
(DBY WBS RSV)

2 Samuel 2:25
And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one band, and stood on the top of a hill.
(See RSV)

2 Samuel 23:29
Heleb the son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin;
(See RSV)

1 Chronicles 8:40
And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valour, archers; and had many sons, and sons' sons, a hundred and fifty. All these were of the sons of Benjamin.
(See RSV)

1 Chronicles 9:7
And of the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hassenuah,
(See RSV)

1 Chronicles 11:31
Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite;
(See RSV)

1 Chronicles 12:2
They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in slinging stones and in shooting arrows from the bow; they were of Saul's brethren of Benjamin.
(See RSV)

1 Chronicles 12:29
And of the children of Benjamin, the brethren of Saul, three thousand; for hitherto the greatest part of them had kept their allegiance to the house of Saul.
(See RSV)

1 Chronicles 27:12
The ninth for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anathothite, of the Benjaminites; and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
(DBY WBS)

Benjaminites (32 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Benjaminites (32 Occurrences). Judges 19:16 And
behold, an old man was coming from his work in the field ...
/b/benjaminites.htm - 16k

Gib'e-ah (45 Occurrences)
... from his work in the field at evening; the man was from the hill country of E'phraim,
and he was sojourning in Gib'e-ah; the men of the place were Benjaminites...
/g/gib'e-ah.htm - 19k

Benjaminite (9 Occurrences)
... (DBY WBS RSV). 1 Chronicles 27:12 The ninth for the ninth month was Abiezer the
Anathothite, of the Benjaminites; and in his division were twenty-four thousand. ...
/b/benjaminite.htm - 9k

Picked (43 Occurrences)
... Judges 20:15 And the Benjaminites mustered out of their cities on that day
twenty-six thousand men that drew the sword, besides the inhabitants of Gib'e-ah ...
/p/picked.htm - 18k

Inquired (74 Occurrences)
... Judges 20:18 The people of Israel arose and went up to Bethel, and inquired of God,
"Which of us shall go up first to battle against the Benjaminites?" And the ...
/i/inquired.htm - 28k

Felled (8 Occurrences)
... Felled (8 Occurrences). Judges 20:21 The Benjaminites came out of Gib'e-ah, and
felled to the ground on that day twenty-two thousand men of the Israelites. ...
/f/felled.htm - 9k

Routed (25 Occurrences)
... Judges 20:32 And the Benjaminites said, "They are routed before us, as at the first."
But the men of Israel said, "Let us flee, and draw them away from the ...
/r/routed.htm - 13k

Rebuilt (47 Occurrences)
... Judges 21:23 And the Benjaminites did so, and took their wives, according to their
number, from the dancers whom they carried off; then they went and returned ...
/r/rebuilt.htm - 20k

Disaster (131 Occurrences)
... Judges 20:34 And there came against Gib'e-ah ten thousand picked men out of all
Israel, and the battle was hard; but the Benjaminites did not know that ...
/d/disaster.htm - 36k

Dancers (3 Occurrences)
... Judges 21:23 And the Benjaminites did so, and took their wives, according to their
number, from the dancers whom they carried off; then they went and returned ...
/d/dancers.htm - 7k

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