Benjamin

Ben´juh-muhn; Heb., “son of the right hand”

Jacob’s last son, born after his return from Mesopotamia. Benjamin was named Ben-oni (Heb., “son of my suffering”) by his mother, Rachel, who died in childbirth, although Jacob preferred “Benjamin” (Gen 35:18). He is mentioned often in association with Joseph, his only full brother. The tribe of Benjamin occupied the central ridge between Jerusalem and Bethel (Josh 18:11-20); an atrocity in the territory created friction with other Israelite tribes (Judg 19-21). The judge Ehud came from the tribe of Benjamin, as did Saul, Israel’s first king. In the NT, the apostle Paul (also known as Saul) was from the tribe of Benjamin (Phil 3:5).