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Genesis 35:18
And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin.

Genesis 46:21
And the sons of Benjaminwere Belah, and Becher, and Ashbel, Gera, and Naaman, Ehi, and Rosh, Muppim, and Huppim, and Ard.

Deuteronomy 33:12
And of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by him;and the LORD shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders.

a wolf.

Numbers 23:24
Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eatof the prey, and drink the blood of the slain.

Judges 3:15-29
But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab…

Judges 20:21,25
And the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah, and destroyed down to the ground of the Israelites that day twenty and two thousand men…

at night.

Jeremiah 5:6
Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them,and a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many,and their backslidings are increased.

Ezekiel 22:25,27
There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof…

Hosea 13:7,8
Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observethem: …

in the morning he devours the prey,
The phrase "in the morning" can symbolize the beginning or the prime of life, suggesting that the tribe of Benjamin would be vigorous and successful in its early endeavors. Historically, the tribe of Benjamin was one of the smaller tribes, yet it played a significant role in the early history of Israel. The "devouring of prey" indicates their initial conquests and victories, as seen in their early military successes. This can also be seen as a prophetic insight into the tribe's future, where they would have significant influence and power during the early monarchy of Israel.

in the evening he divides the plunder.”
"Evening" may symbolize the latter part of life or a period of decline. The division of plunder suggests a time of sharing or distributing the gains from their earlier conquests. This could imply a period of peace or settlement after the initial aggression. Historically, the tribe of Benjamin faced near destruction in the civil war described inJudges 20-21, which could be seen as a time of decline or evening. However, they were later restored and continued to have influence, as seen in the establishment of Jerusalem within their territory. The division of plunder can also be seen as a metaphor for the spreading of the Gospel by the Apostle Paul, a Benjamite, who shared the spiritual riches of Christ with the Gentiles, thus dividing the spiritual plunder among the nations.

“Benjamin is a ravenous wolf” (Genesis 49:27). Jacob’s final blessing pictures Benjamin and his descendants as energetic hunters of opportunity. Throughout Israel’s history the tribe of Benjamin showed:

• Intensity in warfare—600 left-handed slingers who “could sling a stone at a hair and not miss” (Judges 20:15-16).

• Bold leadership—Ehud, the deliverer who struck down the Moabite king (Judges 3:15-30), and King Saul, who “was choice and handsome” yet impetuous (1 Samuel 9:1-2; 13:11-13).

• Fierce independence—Their civil-war stand against the other tribes (Judges 20) confirms the “wolf” imagery. While their zeal often slipped into stubbornness, God used their courage to protect Israel’s borders (1 Chronicles 8:40).

“in the morning he devours the prey” (Genesis 49:27). Morning points to the tribe’s early history, the first centuries in the land:

• Judges era victories kicked off Israel’s national life; Benjamin struck decisively against Moab through Ehud.

• During the early monarchy Benjamin stood on the front lines with Saul against Philistine aggression (1 Samuel 14:47-52).

• Their territory surrounded Jerusalem’s northern flank, so they confronted invaders first (Jeremiah 6:1).

Cross references emphasize quick, aggressive action in Israel’s “morning”: “The LORD thundered… the enemy scattered” (2 Samuel 22:14-15); Benjamin often led that charge. God’s promise proved literally true—Benjamin devoured prey at the dawn of Israel’s nationhood.

“in the evening he divides the plunder” (Genesis 49:27). Evening pictures later periods when the tribe shared in blessing rather than initiating battle:

• After the kingdom split, Benjamin stayed with Judah (1 Kings 12:21-23), receiving a share of temple privileges and royal protection—dividing plunder instead of seizing it.

• Returning exiles from Benjamin helped rebuild Jerusalem’s walls (Nehemiah 11:31-36). The struggle shifted from combat to cooperative restoration.

• The apostle Paul, “of the tribe of Benjamin” (Romans 11:1;Philippians 3:5), spent his “evening” years distributing the riches of the gospel to Gentiles (Ephesians 3:8). Benjamin’s fierce energy matured into generous ministry, echoingProverbs 13:22—“a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.”

Jacob’s prophecy paints Benjamin’s story in two strokes: fierce conquest at Israel’s dawn and fruitful sharing at day’s end. The record fits Scripture’s pattern—strength yielded to service. God shapes raw zeal into self-giving generosity, turning a “ravenous wolf” into a faithful partner who enjoys and shares the plunder of His victories.

It would be interesting to compare the notices of the several tribes in the subsequent history with Jacob's blessing of their progenitors, and with that also given by Moses. The fathers, moreover, found in the words of the patriarch faint foreshadowings of the spiritual truths of Christianity. But such discussions exceed the limits of a commentary, and it has seemed best to give only the primary explanation of Jacob's words, in accordance, as far as possible, with the standpoint of the patriarch himself.