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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

The youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, born as his mother died in childbirth. Rachel named him Ben-oni ('son of my sorrow'), but Jacob renamed him Benjamin ('son of my right hand'). He was the only son of Jacob born in Canaan and was deeply loved by his father. He became the father of the tribe of Benjamin.

Significance

Benjamin's tribe produced Israel's first king (Saul) and the apostle Paul, and remained loyal to Judah when the kingdom divided.

Key Events

Birth near Bethlehem; Rachel died(Genesis 35:16-18)
Traveled to Egypt with brothers(Genesis 43:15)
Joseph's cup found in his sack(Genesis 44:12)
Reunited with Joseph(Genesis 45:14)

Names & Labels (2)

Benjaminproper name
Hebrew
בִנְיָמִֽין
Transliteration
binəyamiyn
Meaning
son of [the] right hand; southerner
Greek
Βενιαμιν
Reference
GEN 35:18
Strong's
H1144
Ben-oniproper name
Hebrew
בֶּן־אוֹנִי
Transliteration
ben oniy
Meaning
son of mourning
Greek
Υἱὸς ὀδύνης
Reference
GEN 35:18
Strong's
H1126

Family & Relationships (57)

son

Jacob(GEN 35:17)
Rachel(GEN 35:17)

half-brother

Reuben(GEN 35:17)
Simeon(GEN 35:17)
Levi(GEN 35:17)
Judah(GEN 35:17)
Dan(GEN 35:17)
Naphtali(GEN 35:17)
Gad(GEN 35:17)
Asher(GEN 35:17)
Issachar(GEN 35:17)
Zebulun(GEN 35:17)
Dinah(GEN 35:17)

brother

Joseph(GEN 35:17)

father

Bela(GEN 46:21)
Becher(GEN 46:21)
Ashbel(GEN 46:21)
Gera(GEN 46:21)
Ehi(GEN 46:21)
Rosh(GEN 46:21)
Nohah(1CH 8:2)

ancestor

Naaman(GEN 46:21)
Muppim(GEN 46:21)
Huppim(GEN 46:21)
Ard(GEN 46:21)
Gideoni(NUM 1:11)
Raphu(NUM 13:9)
Chislon(NUM 34:21)
Aphiah(1SA 9:1)
Rimmon(2SA 4:2)
Ribai(2SA 23:29)
Sallu(1CH 9:7)
Hassenuah(1CH 9:7)
Jeroham(1CH 9:8)
Michri(1CH 9:8)
Ibnijah(1CH 9:8)
Shemaah(1CH 12:3)
Beracah(1CH 12:3)
Jehu(1CH 12:3)
Jeremiah(1CH 12:4)
Jahaziel(1CH 12:4)
Johanan(1CH 12:4)
Jozabad(1CH 12:4)
Eluzai(1CH 12:5)
Jerimoth(1CH 12:5)
Bealiah(1CH 12:5)
Shemariah(1CH 12:5)
Shephatiah(1CH 12:5)
Eliada(2CH 17:17)
Jeshaiah(NEH 11:7)
Gabbai(NEH 11:8)
Sallai(NEH 11:8)
Zichri(NEH 11:9)
Hassenuah(NEH 11:9)
Kish(EST 2:5)
Cush(PSA 7:0)
Saul(ROM 11:1)
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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Benjamin in the Bible?

Benjamin is described in the Bible as twelfth-born son of Jacob and Rachel (GEN 35:18). Benjamin belonged to the tribe of Benjamin.

What does the name Benjamin mean?

The name Benjamin means “son of the right hand” according to Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary.

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