Topical Bible: Tribe of Benjamin: Families of

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Tribe of Benjamin, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, holds a significant place in biblical history. As the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, Benjamin's descendants formed a tribe known for its valor and strategic importance. The families within the Tribe of Benjamin are detailed in various passages of the Old Testament, providing insight into their lineage and roles within the nation of Israel.

Genealogical Background

The genealogical record of the Tribe of Benjamin is primarily found in the Book of Genesis and the Book of Numbers. Benjamin was born to Jacob and Rachel in Paddan-aram, and his birth is recorded in Genesis 35:18. The tribe's lineage is further detailed in Genesis 46:21, which lists Benjamin's sons: "The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard."

Census and Division

During the wilderness period, the Tribe of Benjamin was counted in the census conducted by Moses. Numbers 1:36-37 records the number of men able to go to war: "From the sons of Benjamin, their genealogies according to their clans and families, those registered by name, every male twenty years of age or older, all who could serve in the army, those registered to the tribe of Benjamin numbered 35,400."

The tribe was divided into several families, each descending from one of Benjamin's sons. These families are mentioned in the genealogical records and were significant in the allocation of land and responsibilities within the tribe.

Prominent Families and Descendants

1. Bela: The family of Bela is often noted as the most prominent among Benjamin's descendants. In 1 Chronicles 7:6-7, Bela's sons are listed, and his family is recognized for its size and influence: "The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, and Jediael—three in all. The sons of Bela: Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri—five in all. They were heads of their families. There were 22,034 mighty men of valor listed in their genealogies."

2. Becher: Although less frequently mentioned, the family of Becher is acknowledged in the genealogical records. 1 Chronicles 7:8 provides a brief account of Becher's descendants: "The sons of Becher: Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth. All these were the sons of Becher."

3. Ashbel: The family of Ashbel is another significant branch within the tribe. Numbers 26:38-39 mentions Ashbel's descendants during the second census: "The descendants of Benjamin by their clans were: the Belaite clan from Bela, the Ashbelite clan from Ashbel, the Ahiramite clan from Ahiram."

4. Gera: Gera is noted as an ancestor of Ehud, a judge of Israel. Judges 3:15 highlights Ehud's role: "Again the Israelites cried out to the LORD, and He raised up Ehud son of Gera, a left-handed Benjamite, as their deliverer."

5. Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard: These sons of Benjamin are mentioned in Genesis 46:21, but their families are less detailed in the biblical narrative. However, they contribute to the overall structure and diversity of the tribe.

Historical and Cultural Significance

The Tribe of Benjamin played a crucial role in Israel's history, particularly during the period of the Judges and the establishment of the monarchy. The tribe's territory, located between the powerful tribes of Judah and Ephraim, included the city of Jerusalem, which later became the capital of the united kingdom under King David.

The Benjamites were known for their skill in battle, as noted in 1 Chronicles 12:2: "They were archers who could use both the right hand and the left to sling stones and shoot arrows; they were Saul’s kinsmen from Benjamin." This martial prowess was exemplified by notable figures such as King Saul, Israel's first king, who hailed from the tribe of Benjamin (1 Samuel 9:1-2).

Despite their small size, the Tribe of Benjamin's strategic location and military capabilities made them a significant force in the history of Israel. Their legacy is preserved through the biblical narrative, highlighting their contributions to the nation and their enduring place among the tribes of Israel.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 26:38-40
The sons of Benjamin after their families: of Bela, the family of the Belaites: of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites: of Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Appointment of a King Over the Israelites, Whose Name was Saul ...
... 5. When the Hebrews had so done, the lot fell upon the tribe of Benjamin; and when
the lot was cast for the families of this tribe, that which was called Matri ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 the appointment of.htm

The King after Man's Heart
... When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family
of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the king after mans heart.htm

How Samuel Found a Leader
... answered and said, "Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel,
and is not my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/how samuel found a leader.htm

The First Kings.
... The tribe of Benjamin was chosen; and of the families of Benjamin, that of Matri
was taken; and, finally, the lot fell upon the person of Saul, the son of Kish ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm

How Zerah, King of the Ethiopians, was Beaten by Asa; and How Asa ...
... thousand; and out of the tribe of Benjamin, that bore ... Mareshah, a city that belonged
to the tribe of Judah ... and that no one person of their families should remain ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 how zerah king.htm

The Old Judge and the Young King
... of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of
Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me? 22. And ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the old judge and the.htm

The Israelites
... known the true name of the founder of Edom, and it may be that the name of the tribe
of Benjamin has been ... But they were all families within a single family. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

Chapter xxxv
... offers the Messianic thought ("in thy seed shall all the families of the ... the southeast
hill of Jerusalem on old territory of the tribe of Benjamin (Joshua 18 ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxv.htm

Chapter xxxiv
... offers the Messianic thought ("in thy seed shall all the families of the ... the southeast
hill of Jerusalem on old territory of the tribe of Benjamin (Joshua 18 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxiv.htm

Paul Before his Conversion.
... with the Pharisees as a son of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin, and as ... citizen;
Paulus being the cognomen of several distinguished Roman families, as the ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 30 paul before his.htm