Topical Encyclopedia Jacob, also known as Israel, is a patriarchal figure in the Bible whose life and family dynamics are central to the narrative of the Israelites. Among his twelve sons, Benjamin holds a special place in Jacob's heart, a relationship deeply rooted in the circumstances of Benjamin's birth and the loss of his mother, Rachel.Background and Birth of Benjamin Benjamin was the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, born during a difficult journey from Bethel to Ephrath (Genesis 35:16-19). Rachel, Jacob's beloved wife, died during childbirth, naming her son Ben-Oni, meaning "son of my sorrow." However, Jacob renamed him Benjamin, meaning "son of the right hand," reflecting a position of favor and strength (Genesis 35:18). Jacob's Favoritism and Protection Jacob's love for Benjamin is intricately tied to his love for Rachel. After the presumed death of Joseph, Rachel's firstborn, Benjamin became the sole remaining son of his beloved wife. This intensified Jacob's protective instincts and favoritism towards Benjamin. In Genesis 42:4 , when Jacob's sons went to Egypt to buy grain during a famine, Jacob did not send Benjamin with them, fearing harm might befall him: "But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with his brothers, for he said, 'I am afraid that harm might befall him.'" The Egyptian Encounter The narrative of Jacob's love for Benjamin reaches a critical point during the brothers' encounters with Joseph in Egypt. Unbeknownst to them, Joseph, whom they had sold into slavery, had risen to power in Egypt. Joseph demanded that the brothers bring Benjamin to Egypt as proof of their honesty (Genesis 42:15-20). Jacob's initial refusal to send Benjamin underscores his deep fear of losing him, as expressed in Genesis 42:38 : "But Jacob replied, 'My son will not go down there with you, for his brother is dead and he alone is left. If harm should befall him on the journey you are taking, then you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.'" Judah's Plea and Jacob's Reluctant Consent The famine persisted, and the need for more grain forced Jacob to reconsider. Judah, one of Jacob's sons, pledged his own life as a guarantee for Benjamin's safety, persuading Jacob to relent (Genesis 43:8-9). Jacob's reluctant consent is filled with resignation and hope, as he entrusts his sons to God's mercy: "May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, so that he will release your other brother and Benjamin. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved" (Genesis 43:14). Reunion and Restoration The eventual reunion of Jacob with Joseph, facilitated by Benjamin's presence in Egypt, brings about a restoration of Jacob's family. Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers, and the family is invited to settle in Egypt. Jacob's joy is palpable when he finally sees Joseph again, as recorded in Genesis 46:30 : "Then Israel said to Joseph, 'Now that I have seen for myself that you are still alive, I can die in peace.'" Jacob's love for Benjamin is a testament to the enduring bonds of family and the complexities of parental affection. His protective nature and deep emotional ties to Benjamin highlight the themes of loss, hope, and divine providence that run throughout the biblical narrative. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 43:14And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 44:29 Library The Testament of Benjamin Concerning a Pure Mind. Joseph --The Savior of his People. That Divine Love More Excellently Sanctifies the virtues when they ... Jacob, a Prince of God. How the Love of God Has Dominion Over Other Loves. Of the Condolence and Complacency of Love in the Passion of Our ... The Mystery of the Lost Brother The Removal of Joseph's Father with all his Family, to Him, on ... Recognition and Reconciliation Concerning the violation of Dina's Chastity. Resources Who was Jacob in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the story of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel? | GotQuestions.org How could Jacob not notice he married Leah instead of Rachel? | GotQuestions.org Jacob: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Iconoclasm: Destroyed by Jacob Jacob: Charges his Sons to Bury Him in the Field of Machpelah Jacob: Deborah, Rebekah's Nurse, Dies, and is Buried at Beth-El Jacob: Dissatisfied With Laban's Treatment and Returns to the Land of Canaan Jacob: Dreads to Meet Esau; Sends Him Presents; Wrestles With an Angel Jacob: Erects a Monument at Rachel's Grave Jacob: Esau Seeks to Kill, Escapes to Padan-Aram Jacob: Exacts a Promise from Joseph to Bury Him With his Forefathers Jacob: Fradulently Obtains his Father's Blessing Jacob: Given in Answer to Prayer Jacob: Gives the Land of the Amorites to Joseph Jacob: God Confirms the Covenant of Abraham To Jacob: Hears That Joseph is Still Alive Jacob: His Benediction Upon Joseph and his Two Sons Jacob: His Daughter, Dinah, is Raped Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Asher Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Benjamin Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Dan Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Gad Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Issachar Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Joseph Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Judah Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Naphtali Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Simeon and Levi Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Upon Reuben Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Zebulun Jacob: His Grief Over the Detention of Simeon and the Demand for Benjamin to be Taken Into Egypt Jacob: His Grief Over the Loss of Joseph Jacob: His Partiality for his Son, Joseph, and the Consequent Jealousy of his Other Sons Jacob: His Vision of the Ladder Jacob: Joseph's Prophetic Dream Concerning Jacob: Journeys to Shalem, where he Purchase a Parcel of Ground from Hamor and Erects an Altar Jacob: List of the Names of his Twelve Sons Jacob: Lives in Egypt for Seventeen Years Jacob: Lives in the Land of Canaan Jacob: Meets Angels of God on the Journey, and Calls the Place "Mahanaim" Jacob: Obtains Esau's Birthright for Just One Bowl of Stew Jacob: Pharaoh Receives Him, and is Blessed by Jacob Jacob: Prophecies Concerning Himself and his Descendants Jacob: Reconciliation of, With Esau Jacob: Returns to Arbah, the City of his Father Jacob: Returns to Beth-El, where he Builds an Altar, and Erects and Dedicates a Pillar Jacob: Sends to Egypt to Buy Corn (Grain) Jacob: Serves Fourteen Years for Leah and Rachel Jacob: Sharp Practice of, With the Flocks and Herds of Laban Jacob: Sojourns in Haran With his Uncle, Laban Jacob: Son of Isaac, and the Twin Brother of Esau Jacob: The Incest of his Son, Reuben, With his Concubine, Bilhah Jacob: The Land of Goshen Assigned To Jacob: The List of his Children and Grandchildren Who Went Down Into Egypt Related Terms |
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