Benjamin

Lore & Background

Benjamin is the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, born as Rachel died, and his mother named him Benoni ('son of my sorrow'), but Jacob renamed him Benjamin ('son of the right hand') (Genesis 35:18). He is the only full brother of Joseph besides Joseph himself (Genesis 35:24; Genesis 46:19). Jacob kept Benjamin at home when his other sons went to Egypt, fearing harm might come to him (Genesis 42:4). When famine forced the brothers to return to Egypt with Benjamin, Jacob reluctantly sent him, saying, 'If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved' (Genesis 43:14).

Reader's Guide

The passages portray Benjamin primarily through his relationships with his father Jacob and his brother Joseph. Jacob shows protective anxiety over Benjamin, refusing to let him travel to Egypt initially (Genesis 42:4) and later lamenting that his sons would take Benjamin away, compounding his grief over Joseph and Simeon (Genesis 42:36; Genesis 43:14). Joseph, upon seeing Benjamin with his brothers, shows special favor: he invites them to dine, gives Benjamin five times the portion of food (Genesis 43:34), and later gives him three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of raiment (Genesis 45:22). The emotional reunion between Joseph and Benjamin is marked by weeping and embracing (Genesis 45:14). Benjamin is also the brother in whose sack Joseph’s cup is found, leading to a climactic test of the brothers’ loyalty (Genesis 44:12). The only prophetic statement about Benjamin is Jacob’s blessing: 'Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil' (Genesis 49:27).

Did You Know?

• Benjamin was originally named Benoni by his mother Rachel as she died, but Jacob renamed him Benjamin (Genesis 35:18).
• Benjamin was the only full brother of Joseph, both being sons of Rachel (Genesis 35:24; Genesis 46:19).
• Joseph gave Benjamin five times as much food as his other brothers during a meal (Genesis 43:34).
• Joseph gave Benjamin three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of raiment, more than his other brothers (Genesis 45:22).