The Tribe of Benjamin holds a significant place in the history of Israel as one of the twelve tribes descended from Jacob, also known as Israel. Benjamin was the youngest son of Jacob and his beloved wife Rachel. His birth is recorded in Genesis 35:16-18, where Rachel names him Ben-Oni, meaning "son of my sorrow," before she dies in childbirth. However, Jacob renames him Benjamin, meaning "son of the right hand."

Territory and Location

The territory allotted to the Tribe of Benjamin was strategically located between the tribes of Judah to the south and Ephraim to the north. This central position is described in Joshua 18:11-28, where the boundaries of Benjamin's inheritance are detailed. The land included significant cities such as Jericho, Bethel, Gibeon, and Jerusalem, although Jerusalem was not fully under Israelite control until later.

Historical Significance

The Tribe of Benjamin played a crucial role in several key biblical events. One of the most notable figures from this tribe is King Saul, the first king of Israel, as mentioned in 1 Samuel 9:1-2. Saul's reign marked the transition from the period of the judges to the establishment of the monarchy.

Another significant event involving the tribe is the civil war described in Judges 19-21. The incident began with a grievous crime committed in Gibeah, a Benjamite city, leading to a conflict between Benjamin and the other Israelite tribes. The war nearly led to the tribe's extinction, but the remaining Benjamites were preserved through a series of measures to ensure their survival and continuity.

Notable Figures

Apart from King Saul, the Tribe of Benjamin produced several other notable biblical figures. Mordecai and Esther, key figures in the Book of Esther, were Benjamites who played pivotal roles in saving the Jewish people from destruction during the Persian Empire. The Apostle Paul, originally named Saul, was also from the Tribe of Benjamin, as he himself states in Philippians 3:5: "circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee."

Prophetic and Messianic Connections

The Tribe of Benjamin is mentioned in various prophetic contexts. In the blessings of Jacob, Benjamin is described as a "ravenous wolf" (Genesis 49:27), which some interpret as a reference to the tribe's warrior nature and its future military exploits. Moses' blessing in Deuteronomy 33:12 highlights Benjamin's favored status, saying, "Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between His shoulders."

Cultural and Religious Contributions

The tribe's central location contributed to its involvement in religious and cultural developments in Israel. The city of Gibeon, within Benjamin's territory, was a significant religious center during the time of the united monarchy. Additionally, the proximity to Jerusalem allowed the Benjamites to play a role in the religious life of the nation, especially after the establishment of the temple by Solomon.

Legacy

Despite its small size, the Tribe of Benjamin's legacy is marked by its resilience and contributions to Israel's history. Its members were known for their bravery and skill in battle, as seen in passages like Judges 20:16, which describes the left-handed warriors of Benjamin. The tribe's enduring legacy is also reflected in its association with key biblical figures who shaped the course of Israel's history and the early Christian church.the Tribe Of Benjamin

The contrast between the warlike character of the tribe and the peaceful image of its progenitor comes out in many scattered notices. Benjamin was the only tribe which seems to have pursued archery to any purpose, and their skill in the bow, (1 Samuel 20:20,36; 2 Samuel 1:232; 1 Chronicles 8:40; 12:2; 2 Chronicles 17:17) and the sling, (Judges 20:16) is celebrated. The dreadful deed recorded in Judges 19 was defended by Benjamin. Later the tribe seems, however, to assume another position, as Ramah, (1 Samuel 9:12) etc., Mizpeh, (1 Samuel 7:5) Bethel and Gibeon, (1 Kings 3:4) were all in the land of Benjamin. After the struggles and contests which followed the death of Saul, the history of Benjamin becomes merged in that of the southern kingdom.

1144. Binyamin -- "son of (the) right hand," youngest son of Jacob ...
... From ben and yamiyn; son of (the) right hand; Binjamin, youngest son of Jacob; also
the tribe descended from him, and its territory -- Benjamin. see HEBREW ben. ...
/hebrew/1144.htm - 6k

How David Reigned Over one Tribe at Hebron While the Son Of
... Then did Joab ascend a certain hill, as he stood at that place, having the tribe
of Benjamin with him, whence he took a view of them, and of Abner also. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how david reigned.htm

The Crime Committed by the Inhabitants of Gibeah against the Wife ...
... Nay, when the people were conquered, they vowed that they would not give
their daughters in marriage to the tribe of Benjamin! That ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xix the crime committed.htm

The Appointment of a King Over the Israelites, Whose Name was Saul ...
... God. 1. Ther was one of the tribe of Benjamin, a man of a good family,
and of a virtuous disposition; his name was Kish. He had ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 the appointment of.htm

Ramah. Ramathaim Zophim. Gibeah.
... There was a certain Ramah, in the tribe of Benjamin, Joshua 18:25, and that within
sight of Jerusalem, as it seems, Judges 19:13; where it is named with Gibeah ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 43 ramah ramathaim zophim.htm

How David, when He had Recovered his Kingdom, was Reconciled to ...
... And Shimei, the son of Gera, came with a thousand men, which he brought with him
out of the tribe of Benjamin; and Ziba, the freed-man of Saul, with his sons ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 how david when.htm

The King after Man's Heart
... And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe
of Benjamin was taken.21. When he had caused the tribe ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the king after mans heart.htm

How, after the Death of Joshua their Commander, the Israelites ...
... Israelites Transgressed The Laws Of Their Country, And Experienced Great Afflictions;
And When There Was A Sedition Arisen, The Tribe Of Benjamin Was Destroyed ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 how after the.htm

The History of Saul
... Phineas. And a man of the tribe of Benjamin ran for to tell this unto Eli
which sat abiding some tidings of the battle. This man ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of saul.htm

Philippians iii. 3-Jan
... But that you may not imagine that he was of the stock of Israel as coming of the
ten tribes, he says, "of the tribe of Benjamin." So that he was of the more ...
/.../homily x philippians iii 3-jan.htm

The Testament of Benjamin Concerning a Pure Mind.
... Paul (who was of the tribe of Benjamin, Romans 11:1; Philippians 3:5), is quoted
by Tertullian, Adversus Marcionem, v. 1. [See vol. iii. p. 430, this series.]. ...
/.../xii the testament of benjamin concerning.htm

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