Benoni is a name found in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Genesis. The name is of Hebrew origin and is significant in the narrative of Jacob and his family. Benoni means "son of my sorrow" or "son of my affliction," reflecting the circumstances surrounding his birth.

Biblical Context

Benoni is the name given by Rachel, the beloved wife of Jacob, to her second son as she lay dying during childbirth. The account is recorded in Genesis 35:16-18:

"Then they journeyed on from Bethel. When they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth, and her labor was difficult. During her severe labor, the midwife said to her, 'Do not be afraid, for you are having another son.' And with her last breath—for she was dying—she named him Benoni. But his father called him Benjamin." (Genesis 35:16-18)

Rachel's choice of the name Benoni reflects her intense suffering and sorrow at the time of his birth. However, Jacob, his father, chose to rename him Benjamin, which means "son of the right hand" or "son of the south," signifying a more positive and hopeful future for the child.

Theological Significance

The naming of Benoni and the subsequent renaming to Benjamin holds theological significance. It highlights the themes of suffering and redemption, as well as the transformative power of a father's blessing. Rachel's sorrow is acknowledged, yet Jacob's renaming of his son to Benjamin signifies a shift from despair to hope, from sorrow to strength. This act of renaming can be seen as a prophetic gesture, as Benjamin would become one of the twelve tribes of Israel, playing a crucial role in the history of the Israelites.

Cultural and Historical Insights

In the ancient Near Eastern culture, names were often given to reflect circumstances, character, or destiny. The dual naming of Benoni/Benjamin illustrates the importance of names in conveying deeper meanings and the belief in the power of words to shape identity and destiny. Jacob's decision to rename his son underscores the patriarchal authority in the family and the belief in the father's role in determining the future of his offspring.

Legacy

The legacy of Benoni, as Benjamin, is significant in the biblical narrative. The tribe of Benjamin would later produce notable figures, including King Saul, the first king of Israel, and the Apostle Paul, originally named Saul of Tarsus. The transformation from Benoni to Benjamin serves as a reminder of God's providence and the potential for redemption and blessing even in the midst of sorrow and suffering.Benoni

son of my sorrow, or pain

Benoni

(son of my sorrow). (Genesis 35:18) [BENJAMIN, BENJAMIN, THE TRIBE OF]

BEN-ONI

ben-o'-ni (ben-'oni; huios odunes mou, "son of my sorrow"): The name given by the dying Rachel to her new-born son; changed by his father Jacob to BENJAMIN (Genesis 35:18) which see.

Letter H
... 1835 * Harris, AN "Received 1836 * Harris, Andrew JS "Received 1835, Located 1839 *
Harris, Andrew P. "Received 1837 * Harris, Benoni "Received 1804 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bangs/an alphabetical list of m e preachers/letter h.htm

The Prayer of Jabez
... While our grief called the offspring of desire "Benoni," the son of my sorrow, our
faith has been afterwards able to give it a name of delight, "Benjamin," the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the prayer of jabez.htm

Of the Repose of a Soul Recollected in Her Well-Beloved.
... a delight it was to this Benjamin, child of his Saviour's joy, to sleep in the arms
of that father, who the day after, recommended him, as the Benoni, child of ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter viii of the repose.htm

Book 1 Footnotes:
... [39] Since Benoni signifies the son of my sorrow, and Benjamin the son of days,
or one born in the father's old age, Genesis 44:20, I suspect Josephus's ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 1 footnotes .htm

The Testament of Benjamin Concerning a Pure Mind.
... The Targum Jerushalmi (on Genesis 35:18), and the Breshith Rabba, 82, make Benjamin
and Benoni synonymous. Cf. Josephus, Antiq., i. 21. 3; Cyril, Glaph. ...
/.../xii the testament of benjamin concerning.htm

Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... (Here it was that she gave birth to her son destined to be not what his dying mother
called him, Benoni, that is the "Son of my pangs" but as his father in the ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm

Letter Lxvi. To Pammachius.
... [1927] Virg. A. i. 494. [1928] Genesis 35:16. [1929] The respective meanings of
Benoni and Benjamin. [1930] Genesis 1:28. [1931] 1 Samuel 4:19-22. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lxvi to pammachius.htm

Here Beginneth the Life of Isaac
... bare a son. And the death drawing near, she named him Benoni, which is
as much to say as the son of my sorrow. The father called ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here beginneth the life of.htm

Benoni (1 Occurrence)
...Benoni (1 Occurrence). Genesis 35:18 It happened, as her soul was departing (for
she died), that she named him Benoni, but his father named him Benjamin. ...
/b/benoni.htm - 7k

Benjamin (167 Occurrences)
... As she felt death approaching she called him Benoni, "son of my sorrow." Fearing,
probably, that this might bode evil for the child-for names have always ...
/b/benjamin.htm - 50k

Departing (20 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Genesis 35:18 It happened, as her soul was departing (for she died),
that she named him Benoni, but his father named him Benjamin. ...
/d/departing.htm - 12k

Ben-oni (1 Occurrence)
Ben-oni. Benoni, Ben-oni. Ben-o'ni . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia BEN-ONI. ...
(ASV BBE JPS WBS YLT NAS NIV). Benoni, Ben-oni. Ben-o'ni . Reference Bible
/b/ben-oni.htm - 7k

Be'no (1 Occurrence)
Be'no. Beno, Be'no. Benoni . Multi-Version Concordance Be'no (1 Occurrence).
Matthew ... one. (WEB). Beno, Be'no. Benoni . Reference Bible.
/b/be'no.htm - 6k

Dying (57 Occurrences)
... Genesis 35:18 It happened, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she
named him Benoni, but his father named him Benjamin. (See NIV). ...
/d/dying.htm - 22k

Soul (554 Occurrences)
... Genesis 35:18 It happened, as her soul was departing (for she died), that
she named him Benoni, but his father named him Benjamin. ...
/s/soul.htm - 47k

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