Topical Bible: Tribe of Benjamin: Strength of, Entering Canaan

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The Tribe of Benjamin, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, holds a significant place in biblical history, particularly during the period of entering Canaan. As the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, Benjamin's descendants were known for their valor and strategic importance among the tribes of Israel.

Strength and Valor

The Tribe of Benjamin was renowned for its strength and warrior prowess. In the biblical narrative, the Benjaminites are often depicted as fierce and skilled fighters. This reputation is evident in several passages throughout the Old Testament. For instance, in the Book of Judges, the Benjaminites are described as left-handed warriors, capable of slinging stones with remarkable accuracy: "Among all these soldiers there were seven hundred select troops who were left-handed, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair and not miss" (Judges 20:16). This skill set them apart as formidable opponents in battle.

Role in Entering Canaan

As the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land, the Tribe of Benjamin played a crucial role in the conquest and settlement of Canaan. The allocation of land to the tribes was a significant event, and Benjamin's territory was strategically located. According to the Book of Joshua, the land allotted to Benjamin was situated between the territories of Judah and Ephraim, encompassing key cities such as Jericho, Bethel, and Gibeon (Joshua 18:11-28). This central location underscored the tribe's importance in the socio-political landscape of Israel.

The Benjaminites' strength was not only in their military capabilities but also in their strategic positioning. Their territory served as a buffer and a bridge between the northern and southern tribes, which was crucial for maintaining unity and defense against external threats.

Notable Figures

Several notable biblical figures emerged from the Tribe of Benjamin, further highlighting its significance. King Saul, the first king of Israel, was a Benjaminite, chosen for his stature and leadership qualities (1 Samuel 9:1-2). His reign marked a pivotal moment in Israel's transition from a confederation of tribes to a centralized monarchy.

Additionally, the Apostle Paul, originally named Saul, was a descendant of the Tribe of Benjamin. His contributions to the early Christian church and his epistles in the New Testament underscore the enduring legacy of the tribe (Philippians 3:5).

Challenges and Conflicts

Despite their strengths, the Tribe of Benjamin faced significant challenges and conflicts. The infamous incident of the Levite's concubine, as recorded in Judges 19-21, led to a civil war between Benjamin and the other Israelite tribes. This conflict nearly decimated the tribe, but through divine intervention and reconciliation, Benjamin was preserved and continued to play a vital role in Israel's history.

In summary, the Tribe of Benjamin was characterized by its martial prowess, strategic importance, and notable leaders. Its role in the conquest and settlement of Canaan was pivotal, and its legacy continued to influence the narrative of Israel throughout the biblical record.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 26:41
These are the sons of Benjamin after their families: and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and six hundred.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... though this was not, as he supposed, to restore her strength but, as ... altar [2857]
is still shewn to-day, and where the tribe of Benjamin anticipated Romulus ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... local chiefs, heroes to their own immediate tribe, well known in ... O my soul, march
on with strength."Then did ... 5:14) contains an allusion to Benjamin, which is ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... Lotanu with that of the Edomite tribe of Lotan ... blocks of masonry, forming a re-entering
face, considerably ... increased, in the first place, the strength of the ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

Nature of Covenanting.
... right hand, and by the arm of his strength."[41] He ... the children of Gad, and the
half tribe of Manasseh ... all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter i nature of covenanting.htm

Covenanting Enforced by the Grant of Covenant Signs and Seals.
... Jerusalem, and from the land of Benjamin, and from ... frontlets between thine eyes:
for by strength of hand ... But instead of them, subsequently the tribe of Levi ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter xi covenanting enforced by.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... 26:1). And verily if the cities of the Gentiles, and the strength of their bars ... of
all her turns and stops, in her journeying from Egypt to Canaan, from Babylon ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... came in time to form a tribe by themselves ... It was essential, therefore, before entering
on the struggle ... useless angles which might detract from its strength. ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... in the carcass of the slain Lion of the tribe of Judah ... the left hand was Boaz, in
it is strength (1 Kings 7 ... it, these stand at the door, at the entering into the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... his soul; they speak the language of Canaan; they talk ... that occupation being then
followed by the Gipsy tribe. ... As soon as his strength enabled him, he devoted ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm