Topical Encyclopedia
The term "Benjamite" refers to a member of the tribe of Benjamin, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The tribe of Benjamin holds a significant place in biblical history and narrative, being the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel. The name "Benjamin" means "son of the right hand" or "son of the south," reflecting both a position of favor and geographical location.
Ancestry and Tribal AllotmentBenjamin was the twelfth and youngest son of Jacob, born to Rachel, Jacob's beloved wife. His birth is recorded in
Genesis 35:16-18, where Rachel names him Ben-Oni, meaning "son of my sorrow," as she dies in childbirth. However, Jacob renames him Benjamin. The tribe of Benjamin descended from him and is noted for its fierce warriors and strategic location in the land of Canaan.
The tribal allotment for Benjamin is described in
Joshua 18:11-28. The territory was situated between the tribes of Judah to the south and Ephraim to the north, encompassing key cities such as Jericho, Bethel, and Gibeah. This central location made Benjamin a significant player in the political and military affairs of Israel.
Notable BenjamitesSeveral prominent biblical figures were Benjamites. King Saul, the first king of Israel, was a Benjamite, as noted in
1 Samuel 9:1-2: "Now there was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish... and he had a son named Saul, a choice and handsome young man." Saul's reign marked a pivotal moment in Israel's transition from a confederation of tribes to a centralized monarchy.
The Apostle Paul, originally named Saul, was also a Benjamite. In
Romans 11:1, Paul states, "I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin." His Benjamite heritage is significant in understanding his zeal for the Jewish law and his eventual role as a leading figure in the early Christian church.
Historical and Biblical EventsThe tribe of Benjamin is involved in several key biblical events. One of the most tragic is the account of the Levite's concubine in
Judges 19-21, which led to a civil war between Benjamin and the other Israelite tribes. The conflict nearly resulted in the annihilation of the tribe, but they were eventually spared and allowed to rebuild.
In the period of the divided kingdom, the tribe of Benjamin remained loyal to the house of David and was part of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, as noted in
1 Kings 12:21. This loyalty is significant in the preservation of the Davidic line and the eventual fulfillment of messianic prophecies.
Characteristics and LegacyThe Benjamites were known for their valor and skill in battle.
Judges 20:16 highlights their prowess: "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." This martial ability is a recurring theme in the descriptions of the tribe.
The legacy of the Benjamites is one of resilience and strategic importance. Despite their small size, they played a crucial role in the history of Israel, both in the Old Testament narratives and in the New Testament through the Apostle Paul. Their account is a testament to God's providence and the unfolding of His redemptive plan through the tribes of Israel.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) A descendant of Benjamin; one of the tribe of Benjamin.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BENJAMITEben'-ja-mit: One belonging to the tribe of Benjamin, such as Ehud (Judges 3:15), Saul (1 Samuel 9:1, 2), Sheba (2 Samuel 20:1), Shimei (1 Kings 2:8), etc.
Strong's Hebrew
8039. Shimah -- Shimah, aBenjamite... 8038, 8039. Shimah. 8040 . Shimah, a
Benjamite. Transliteration: Shimah
Phonetic Spelling: (shim-aw') Short Definition: Shimeah.
...2361. Churam -- aBenjamite, also two Arameans (Syrians)
... Churam. 2362 . aBenjamite, also two Arameans (Syrians). Transliteration: Churam
Phonetic Spelling: (khoo-rawm') Short Definition: Huram. Word Origin short....
4381. Mikri -- aBenjamite
... 4380, 4381. Mikri. 4382 . aBenjamite. Transliteration: Mikri Phonetic
Spelling: (mik-ree') Short Definition: Michri. Word Origin...
508. Elpaal -- perhaps "God of doing," aBenjamite
... 507, 508. Elpaal. 509 . perhaps "God of doing," aBenjamite. Transliteration:
Elpaal Phonetic Spelling: (el-pah'-al) Short Definition: Elpaal....
8125. Shamsheray -- aBenjamite
... 8124, 8125. Shamsheray. 8126 . aBenjamite. Transliteration: Shamsheray Phonetic
Spelling: (sham-sher-ah'-ee) Short Definition: Shamsherai....
4936. Misham -- aBenjamite
... 4935, 4936. Misham. 4937 . aBenjamite. Transliteration: Misham Phonetic
Spelling: (mish-awm') Short Definition: Misham. Word Origin...
7498a. Rapha -- aBenjamite
... Rapha. 7498b . aBenjamite. Transliteration: Rapha Short Definition: Rapha. Word
Origin from rapha Definition aBenjamite NASB Word Usage Rapha (1)....
2133. Zethan -- "olive tree," aBenjamite
... 2132, 2133. Zethan. 2134 . "olive tree," aBenjamite. Transliteration: Zethan
Phonetic Spelling: (zay-thawn') Short Definition: Zethan....
4821. Mirmah -- aBenjamite
... 4820, 4821. Mirmah. 4822 . aBenjamite. Transliteration: Mirmah Phonetic
Spelling: (meer-maw') Short Definition: Mirmah. Word Origin...
6232. Esheq -- aBenjamite
... 6231, 6232. Esheq. 6233 . aBenjamite. Transliteration: Esheq Phonetic
Spelling: (ay-shek') Short Definition: Eshek. Word Origin...
Library
The Exile --Continued.
... The occasion of it is said to be "the words of Cush theBenjamite." As this is a
peculiar name for an Israelite, it has been supposed to be an allegorical...
How Samuel Found a Leader
... THE OLD TESTAMENT HOW SAMUEL FOUND A LEADER. There was a richBenjamite
named Kish, who lived at Gibeah. He had a son named Saul, a...
The Wall Rebuilt.
... Thus the youngBenjamite orphan, Esther, whom her kinsman, Mordecai, had tenderly
trained in the right way, was taken away, never to see his face again, but to...
The Old Judge and the Young King
... Is it not on thee, and on all thy father's house? 21. And Saul answered and said,
Am not IaBenjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel?...
Appendix viii. Rabbinic Traditions About Elijah, the Forerunner of...
... on Genesis 49:19). Others describe him as aBenjamite, from Jerusalem,
one of those who sat in the Hall of Hewn Stones' (Tanch....
The Ark among the Philistines
... fled to his tent. The same day aBenjamite from the ranks ran to Shiloh with
his clothes torn and with earth on his head. As he came...
Psalm 7
... Psalm 7. Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the Lord, concerning the words
of Cush theBenjamite. 8,6,8,6. ^1O Lord my God, in thee do I....
Herein is Declared what Befell the Sons of Eli, the Ark, and the...
... 3. When the news of this defeat came to Shiloh, with that of the captivity of the
ark, [for a certain young man, aBenjamite, who was in the action, came as a...
The Wills of Men are So Much in the Power of God, that He Can Turn...
... And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth
from my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more may thisBenjamite do it!...
How, after the Death of Joshua their Commander, the Israelites...
... what the inhabitants of Gibeah had resolved upon, they took their oath that no one
of them would give his daughter in marriage to aBenjamite, but make war...
Thesaurus
Benjamite (15 Occurrences)... (n.) A descendant of Benjamin; one of the tribe of Benjamin. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia.
BENJAMITE.
... Multi-Version Concordance
Benjamite (15 Occurrences).
...Jeroham (11 Occurrences)
... (2.) The father of Azareel, the "captain" of the tribe of Dan (1 Chronicles 27:22).
(3.) 1 Chronicles 12:7; aBenjamite.... (5.) 1 Chronicles 9:8; aBenjamite....
Gera (9 Occurrences)
... (4) Father, or ancestor, of Shimei, theBenjamite, who cursed David when he fled
from Absalom (2 Samuel 16:5; 2 Samuel 19:16, 18 1 Kings 2:8)....
Kish (18 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A bow. (1.) A Levite of the family of Merari (1 Chronicles
23:21; 24:29). (2.) ABenjamite of Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 8:30; 9:36)....
Uzzi (11 Occurrences)
... (3.) A son of Bela, and grandson of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 7:7). (4.) ABenjamite,
a chief in the tribe (1 Chronicles 9:8). (5.) A son of Bani....
Jerimoth (10 Occurrences)
... 7). (2.) 1 Chronicles 24:30, a Merarite Levite. (3.) ABenjamite slinger
who joined David at Ziklag (1 Chronicles 12:5). (4.) A...
Ehud (12 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. EHUD. e'-hud (ehudh, "united," "strong"): ABenjamite,
son of Gera, deliverer of Israel from oppression by Moab (Judges 3:15-30)....
Shephatiah (13 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Judged of the Lord. (1.) A son of David by Abital (2 Samuel
3:4). (2.) ABenjamite who joined David at Ziklag (1 Chronicles 12:5)....
Eglon (13 Occurrences)
... The people at length "cried unto the Lord" in their distress, and he "raised them
up a deliverer" in Ehud (qv), the son of Gera, aBenjamite....
Shimei (43 Occurrences)
... Famous. (1.) A son of Gershon, and grandson of Levi (Numbers 3:18; 1 Chronicles
6:17, 29); called Shimi in Exodus 6:17. (2.) ABenjamite of the house of Saul...
Resources
Who was Paul in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Obadiah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Esther in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBenjamite: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
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