Topical Encyclopedia
The Benjamites, or descendants of Benjamin, are one of the twelve tribes of Israel, originating from Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel. The tribe holds a significant place in biblical history, known for its valor, resilience, and complex relationship with the other tribes of Israel.
Ancestry and Early HistoryBenjamin was the twelfth 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," due to her dying in childbirth. However, Jacob renames him Benjamin, meaning "son of the right hand." The tribe of Benjamin is thus named after him, and his descendants are referred to as Benjamites.
Territory and SettlementThe territory allotted to the tribe of Benjamin is described in
Joshua 18:11-28. It was strategically located between the tribes of Judah to the south and Ephraim to the north. This central location included significant cities such as Jerusalem, Jericho, Bethel, and Gibeah. The proximity to these key locations often placed the Benjamites at the heart of Israel's political and military affairs.
Characteristics and Notable FiguresThe Benjamites were renowned for their skill in battle, particularly their proficiency with the sling and bow.
Judges 20:16 highlights their left-handed warriors, who could "sling a stone at a hair and not miss." This martial prowess is a recurring theme in their history.
One of the most notable Benjamites is King Saul, the first king of Israel, who was chosen from the tribe of Benjamin (
1 Samuel 9:1-2). Saul's reign marked a significant period in Israel's transition from a confederation of tribes to a centralized monarchy.
Another prominent Benjamite is the Apostle Paul, originally named Saul, who identifies himself as "of the tribe of Benjamin" in
Romans 11:1 and
Philippians 3:5. His contributions to the early Christian church are foundational, and his Benjamite heritage is a point of pride and identity.
The Benjamite WarA dark chapter in the history of the Benjamites is the civil war recounted in
Judges 19-21. The tribe of Benjamin was nearly annihilated by the other Israelite tribes due to a grievous crime committed in Gibeah, a Benjamite city. The conflict resulted in the near extinction of the tribe, with only 600 men surviving. The other tribes later sought to preserve the tribe by providing wives for the remaining Benjamites, ensuring their continuity.
Role in the Divided KingdomDuring the division of the united monarchy after Solomon's reign, the tribe of Benjamin remained loyal to the house of David, aligning with the tribe of Judah to form the Southern Kingdom of Judah (
1 Kings 12:21). This alliance was significant in maintaining the Davidic line and the continuity of Jerusalem as the religious and political center of the Jewish people.
LegacyThe Benjamites, despite their tumultuous history, played a crucial role in the narrative of Israel. Their legacy is marked by both their martial prowess and their contributions to Israel's leadership and spiritual heritage. The tribe's central location and historical alliances underscore their importance in the unfolding account of God's covenant with Israel.
Strong's Hebrew
3103. Yobab -- a son of Joktan, also his desc., also two non-Isr....... kings, also two
Benjamites. Transliteration: Yobab Phonetic Spelling: (yo-bawb')
Short Definition: Jobab.
... kings, also two
Benjamites NASB Word Usage Jobab (9).
...5041. Neballat -- a place whereBenjamites dwelt
... 5040, 5041. Neballat. 5042 . a place whereBenjamites dwelt. Transliteration:
Neballat Phonetic Spelling: (neb-al-lawt') Short Definition: Neballat....
1145. Ben-yemini -- a descendant of Benjamin
... Benjamite. Word Origin from Binyamin Definition a desc. of Benjamin NASB Word
Usage Benjamite (5),Benjamites (4). Benjamite, of Benjamin....
Library
How, after the Death of Joshua their Commander, the Israelites...
... their weapons of war. 5. But theBenjamites, to whom belonged Jerusalem,
permitted its inhabitants to pay tribute. So they all left...
The Historical Books.
... Chap.18. It was only on special occasions, like that of the sin and punishment of
theBenjamites (chaps.19-21), that there was a general concert among them....
Beth-El. Beth-Aven.
... Josephus thus describes the land of Benjamin; "TheBenjamites' portion of land was
from the river Jordan to the sea, in length: in breadth, it was bounded by...
Nob. Bahurim.
... place alleged in the Book of Samuel, the Chaldee renders, "And David the king came
to Almath." Where Kimchi thus; "Bahurim was a city of theBenjamites, and is...
The Cost of a Lie
... hand. And all his servants were standing about him. Saul said to his servants
who stood about him, "Hear, OBenjamites! Will the...
About These Times, Civil War, as we have Said...
... At length, however, in the third, theBenjamites were conquered, and cut off to
a man; thus the crime of a few was punished by the destruction of a multitude....
That Upon the Slaughter of Ishbosheth by the Treachery of his...
... set upon by the sons of Rimmon, [Baanah and Rechab were their names,] and was slain
by them; for these being of a family of theBenjamites, and of the first...
Knox in the War of the Congregation: the Regent Attacked: Her...
... He lectured at great length on discomfitures of the godly in the Old Testament,
and about theBenjamites, and the Levite and his wife....
Flight into Egypt and Slaughter of the Bethlehem Children.
... He represents Rachel weeping, because theBenjamites were descendants of Rachel,
and, perhaps, because the tomb of Rachel was "in the border of Benjamin," and...
The King.
... and we find Abner himself admitting that "the elders of Israel" wanted David as
king (2 Samuel 3:17), so that when he was gone, it is twoBenjamites who give...
Thesaurus
Benjamites (24 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Benjamites (24 Occurrences). Judges 1:21 And the
children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that
...Rimmon (22 Occurrences)
... It has been identified with Um er-Rumamin, about 13 miles south-west of Hebron.
(4.) "Rock of," to which theBenjamites fled (Judges 20:45, 47; 21:13), and...
Benjamite (15 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 27:12 The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anathothite,
of theBenjamites: and in his division were twenty-four thousand....
Benjamin (167 Occurrences)
... his father into Benjamin. His posterity are calledBenjamites (Genesis
49:27; Deuteronomy 33:12; Joshua 18:21). The tribe of Benjamin...
Ono (5 Occurrences)
... o'-no ('ono; Codex Vaticanus Onan; Codex Alexandrinus Ono, and other forms): A town
mentioned along with Lod as fortified by certainBenjamites (1 Chronicles 8...
Jabeshgilead (12 Occurrences)
... of whose inhabitants were put to the sword, except four hundred maidens, whom they
brought as prisoners and sent to "proclaim peace" to theBenjamites who had...
Jabesh-gilead (12 Occurrences)
... of whose inhabitants were put to the sword, except four hundred maidens, whom they
brought as prisoners and sent to "proclaim peace" to theBenjamites who had...
Eber (16 Occurrences)
... (4.) One of the heads of the familes ofBenjamites in Jerusalem (22).... (2) A Gadite
(1 Chronicles 5:13). (3) & (4) TwoBenjamites (1 Chronicles 8:12, 22)....
Shiloh (34 Occurrences)
... The maids of Shiloh were captured by theBenjamites on the occasion of a feast,
while dancing in the vineyards; this having been planned by the other tribes to...
Gibeah (52 Occurrences)
... of outrage upon the Levite's concubine; the way in which he made known his wrongs
to Israel; and the terrible revenge exacted from theBenjamites, who would...
Resources
What can we learn from the story of the Levite and his concubine? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Adoni-Bezek? | GotQuestions.orgWhy was Israel divided into the Southern Kingdom and Northern Kingdom? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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Bible Encyclopedia •
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