Topical Encyclopedia
The Tribe of Benjamin holds a significant place within the narrative of the Israelites, being one of the twelve tribes descended from Jacob's sons. The tribe's lineage traces back to Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel. Throughout biblical history, the Tribe of Benjamin is noted for its valor and strategic importance, particularly due to its location near Jerusalem.
Census of the Tribe of BenjaminThe census of the Israelites, as recorded in the Book of Numbers, provides insight into the size and strength of the Tribe of Benjamin. In
Numbers 1:36-37 , the census taken in the wilderness of Sinai records the number of men from the tribe who were able to go to war: "From the sons of Benjamin, their genealogies according to their clans and families, those numbered were 35,400." This count reflects the tribe's relatively smaller size compared to some of the other tribes, yet it remained a formidable force within the Israelite confederation.
Failure to Exterminate the JebusitesThe Tribe of Benjamin's inability to fully conquer and exterminate the Jebusites is a notable aspect of their history. The Jebusites were the original inhabitants of Jerusalem, a city of great strategic and spiritual significance. In
Judges 1:21 , it is recorded, "The Benjamites, however, did not drive out the Jebusites living in Jerusalem; so to this day the Jebusites live there with the Benjamites." This failure to completely remove the Jebusites from Jerusalem had lasting implications, as the Jebusites continued to coexist with the Israelites until the time of King David.
The presence of the Jebusites in Jerusalem persisted until David's conquest of the city, as described in
2 Samuel 5:6-7 : "Now the king and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites who inhabited the land. And the Jebusites said to David, 'You will never get in here; even the blind and lame can repel you,' thinking, 'David cannot get in here.' Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David)." This event marked the beginning of Jerusalem's transformation into the political and spiritual center of Israel.
Significance in Israelite HistoryThe Tribe of Benjamin's role in the history of Israel is multifaceted. Despite its smaller size, the tribe produced several notable figures, including King Saul, Israel's first king, and the Apostle Paul, originally known as Saul of Tarsus. The tribe's territory, strategically located between the powerful tribes of Judah and Ephraim, often placed it at the center of Israelite politics and conflicts.
The narrative of the Tribe of Benjamin, including its census and interactions with the Jebusites, reflects broader themes of faithfulness, struggle, and the complexities of Israel's conquest and settlement in the Promised Land. The tribe's account is interwoven with the unfolding of God's covenant promises to the nation of Israel, highlighting both human frailty and divine sovereignty.
Nave's Topical Index
Judges 1:21And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem to this day.
Nave's Topical Index
Resources
Who was Benjamin in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from the tribe of Benjamin? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from the story of the Levite and his concubine? | GotQuestions.orgBenjamin: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
