Benjamin
Benjamin in the Bible — twelfth-born son of Jacob and Rachel (GEN 35:18). Benjamin belonged to the tribe of Benjamin. Referenced in 59 scripture passages.
Name meaning: “son of the right hand”
Profile
- Gender
- male
- Tribe
- Benjamin
- Scripture References
- 59 references
- Known Names
- 2 names
- Relationships
- 57 connections
Biography
Benjamin was the twelfth-born son of Jacob and Rachel, belonging to the tribe of Benjamin. He was a male child uniquely born to Rachel during childbirth, marking him as the youngest son of Jacob. His birth and lineage established the foundation for the tribe named after him.
Names & Titles
Benjamin's original name was Ben-oni, meaning 'son of mourning,' given by his mother Rachel. However, Jacob renamed him Benjamin, which means 'son of [the] right hand' or 'southerner,' reflecting a shift from sorrow to strength and favor.
Family
Benjamin was the son of Jacob and Rachel, making him the full brother of Joseph and half-brother to the other sons of Jacob, including Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah. He is also noted to have a father named Bela, according to biblical records.
Significance
Benjamin holds a significant place in the biblical narrative as the youngest son of Jacob born in the land of Canaan and deeply loved by his father. His birth marked a transition from mourning to blessing within Jacob's family. The tribe descending from Benjamin played a vital role in Israel's history by producing the first king, Saul, and the apostle Paul, and remained loyal to Judah during the kingdom's division.
Key Events
Names & Labels (2)
Family & Relationships (57)
half-brother
brother
father
ancestor
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Benjamin in the Bible?
Benjamin was the twelfth-born son of Jacob and Rachel, belonging to the tribe of Benjamin. He was a male child uniquely born to Rachel during childbirth, marking him as the youngest son of Jacob. His birth and lineage established the foundation for the tribe named after him.
What does the name Benjamin mean?
The name Benjamin means “son of the right hand” according to Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary.