Difference between revisions of "Benjamin"

<p> Of all Jacob’s sons, the two born to Rachel were his favourites, [[Joseph]] and Benjamin. In giving his prophetic blessing on the future tribes of Israel, Jacob knew that the descendants of Joseph would be far more dominant than those of [[Benjamin]] (&nbsp;Genesis 49:22-27). </p> <p> '''''' </p> <p> '''Protected son''' </p> <p> Since Rachel died while giving birth to Benjamin (&nbsp;Genesis 35:16-19), Jacob had a special concern for Benjamin. To protect Benjamin from any possible harm, Jacob would not allow him to go to Egypt the first time his sons went to buy grain (&nbsp;Genesis 42:4). He allowed Benjamin to go on the second journey only because he had no alternative (&nbsp;Genesis 42:38; &nbsp;Genesis 43:13-15). Joseph, though delighted at seeing his younger brother again (&nbsp;Genesis 43:16; &nbsp;Genesis 43:29-34), used Benjamin to test the sincerity of his brothers before inviting the whole of Jacob’s family to come and live in Egypt (&nbsp;Genesis 44:2; &nbsp;Genesis 44:12; [[Genesis]] 45). </p> <p> '''Aggressive tribe''' </p> <p> Little is recorded concerning Benjamin’s character, but Jacob had sufficient insight to see that the tribe to be descended from him would be fiercely aggressive (&nbsp;Genesis 49:27). Perhaps this characteristic developed in the tribe when, after the division of Canaan, it found itself squeezed into a narrow strip of land between Israel’s two most powerful tribes, [[Ephraim]] to the north and Judah to the south (&nbsp;Joshua 18:11-28). As a result Benjamin soon lost towns on its northern border to Ephraim (see [[Bethel]] ; [[Gilgal]] ; [[Jericho]] ), and towns on its southern border to Judah (see JERUSALEM; KIRIATH-JEARIM). For other important Benjaminite towns see [[Gibeah]] ; [[Gibeon]] ; [[Mizpah]] . </p> <p> The tribe of Benjamin soon became famous for its skilled fighters, many of whom were left-handed (&nbsp;Genesis 49:27; &nbsp;Judges 3:15; &nbsp;Judges 20:15-16; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 8:40). On one occasion, when the men of Gibeah had committed a terrible crime that brought shame on all Israel, Benjamin chose to fight against the other tribes rather than punish its guilty citizens. As a result of the war that followed, Benjamin was almost wiped out (Judges 19; Judges 20; Judges 21). </p> <p> Yet Benjamin, the smallest tribe in Israel, produced Israel’s first king, Saul (&nbsp;1 Samuel 9:21; &nbsp;1 Samuel 10:20-24). When Saul became jealous of David, the leading men of Benjamin encouraged Saul to kill him, no doubt because they saw David, and David’s tribe Judah, as a threat to their own position (&nbsp;1 Samuel 18:22-26; &nbsp;1 Samuel 22:7; &nbsp;1 Samuel 24:9; &nbsp;1 Samuel 26:19; Psalms 7). When David later became king, some of the leading Benjaminites maintained their hostility to him (&nbsp;2 Samuel 16:5-8; &nbsp;2 Samuel 20:1-2). </p> <p> Jerusalem, on the border between Benjamin and Judah, was still under enemy control when David became king. David’s conquest of [[Jerusalem]] and his decision to make it his capital probably helped to win the allegiance of the Benjaminites (&nbsp;Judges 1:21; &nbsp;2 Samuel 5:6-7). The blessing that Moses promised the tribe of Benjamin was possibly fulfilled when Israel’s temple was built in Jerusalem, which was officially in Benjamin’s territory (&nbsp;Deuteronomy 33:12; &nbsp;Jeremiah 20:2). When, after the death of Solomon, the northern tribes broke away from Judah, Benjamin was the only tribe in [[Israel]] to remain loyal to Judah and the Davidic throne (&nbsp;1 Kings 11:11-13; &nbsp;1 Kings 11:31-32; &nbsp;1 Kings 12:21; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 8:1; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 8:28). </p> <p> Benjamin went into captivity in [[Babylon]] with Judah, and later returned from captivity with Judah (&nbsp;Ezra 4:1). [[Mordecai]] and Esther, who feature in a story of post-captivity [[Jews]] in a foreign land, were from the tribe of Benjamin (&nbsp;Esther 2:5-7). The apostle Paul also was from the tribe of Benjamin (&nbsp;Romans 11:1; &nbsp;Philippians 3:5). </p>

<p> ("son of my right hand"), as Jacob named him; first called by his dying mother Rachel Benoni, son of my sorrow (compare &nbsp;Jeremiah 31:15; &nbsp;Matthew 2:17-18). Jesus the antitype was first "a man of sorrows" (&nbsp;Isaiah 53:3), the mother's sorrows attending tits birth also at Bethlehem; afterward "the man of God's right hand," on whom God's hand was laid strengthening Him (&nbsp;Revelation 1:17; &nbsp;Psalms 80:17; &nbsp;Psalms 89:21; &nbsp;Acts 5:31). </p> <p> '''1.''' Rachel's second son, the only son of Jacob born in [[Palestine]] (&nbsp;Genesis 35:16-19), on the road between Betheland [[Bethlehem]] Ephrath, near the latter (&nbsp;Genesis 48:7) (probably "the fertile", from parah , corresponding to the town's other name, Bethlehem, "bread-house.") The Arabic jamin means "fortunate". And in the expression "sons of Benjamin" or a "man of Benjamin, ... land of Benjamin," the first syllable is suppressed Benee Ha-Jemini, [[Ish]] Jemini, Erets Jemini, compare &nbsp;Genesis 46:10. Benjamin was his father's favorite after Joseph's supposed death (&nbsp;Genesis 44:30); as the youngest, the child of his old age, and the child of his beloved Rachel. Joseph's gifts to him exceeded far those to each of his elder brothers (&nbsp;Genesis 43:34; &nbsp;Genesis 45:22). </p> <p> Benjamin was only 23 or 24 years old when Jacob went down to Egypt. He clearly could not then have had ten sons already (&nbsp;Genesis 46:6-21), or eight sons and two grandsons (&nbsp;Numbers 26:38-40). It is plain that the list in Genesis 46 includes those grandsons and great grandsons of Jacob born afterward in Egypt, and who in the [[Israelite]] mode of thought came into Egypt "in the loins" of their fathers (compare &nbsp;Hebrews 7:9-10). Hence, arises the correspondence in the main between the list given in connection with Jacob's descent to Egypt in Genesis 46, and the list taken by Moses ages afterward in Numbers 26. Benjamin's sons, Becher, Gera, Rosh, are missing in Moses' list, because they either died childless, or did not leave a sufficient number of children to form independent families. </p> <p> After the Exodus the tribe was the smallest but one (&nbsp;Numbers 1:1; &nbsp;Numbers 1:36-37; &nbsp;1 Samuel 9:21; &nbsp;Psalms 68:27). On march it held the post between [[Manasseh]] and Ephraim, its brother tribes, W. of the tabernacle, which it followed (&nbsp;Psalms 80:2) under its captain Abidan, son of [[Gideoni]] (&nbsp;Numbers 2:18-24). Palti, son of Raphu, was the spy representing it (&nbsp;Numbers 13:9). In the division of the land Elidad, son of Chislon, represented it (&nbsp;Numbers 34:21). Its predominant characteristic of warlike tastes is foretold by Jacob (&nbsp;Genesis 49:27); "Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf, in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night shall divide the spoil." How truly is attested by the war waged them alone (and victoriously at against all the tribes, rather give up the wicked men of Gibeah (Judges 19; 20; compare &nbsp;Matthew 26:52). Their number was reduced thereby to 600, who took refuge in the cliff Rimmon, and were provided with wives partly from Jabesh, partly from [[Shiloh]] (Judges 21). </p> <p> The period of the judges must have been a long one to admit of the increase to Benjamin's subsequent large numbers (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 7:6-12; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 7:8; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 12:1-8). The same determined spirit, but in a better cause, appears in their resisting Saul, their own kinsman's, appeal to them to betray David's movements (&nbsp;1 Samuel 22:7-18). Moreover Ehud, judge and deliverer of Israel from [[Eglon]] of Moab, was of Benjamin; also Saul and Jonathan, whose prowess was famed (&nbsp;2 Samuel 1:18-19; &nbsp;2 Samuel 1:23). Also [[Baanah]] and Rechab, captains of marauding bands and murderers of [[Ishbosheth]] (2 Samuel 4). Archers and slingers, generally left handed (as also [[Ehud]] was), were the chief force of the "sons of Jacob's right hand" (&nbsp;Judges 3:15, etc.; &nbsp;Judges 20:16; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 12:2; &nbsp;2 Chronicles 14:8; &nbsp;2 Chronicles 17:17). </p> <p> The "morning" and "night" in Jacob's prophecy mark that Benjamin, as he was in the beginning, so he should continue to the end of the [[Jewish]] state. Similarly in Moses' prophecy (&nbsp;Deuteronomy 33:12), "Benjamin, the beloved of the Lord (attached to David = beloved after Saul's dynasty fell), shall dwell in safety by Him; the Lord shall cover him all the day long;" implying a longer continuance to Benjamin than to the other tribes. So Benjamin alone survived with Judah, after the deportation of the ten tribes to Assyria, arid accompanied Judah to and front the [[Babylonian]] captivity, and lasted until Shiloh came and until Jerusalem was destroyed. As on the march, so in the promised land, Benjamin's position was near that of Ephraim, between it on the N. and Judah on the S., a small but rich territory, advantageously placed in commanding the approach to the valley of the Jordan, and having Dan between it and the [[Philistines]] (&nbsp;Joshua 18:11, etc.); a parallelogram, 26 miles long, 12 broad, extending from the [[Jordan]] to the region of [[Kirjath]] [[Jearim]] eight miles W. of Jerusalem, and from the valley of [[Hinnom]] S. to Bethel N. </p> <p> When the Lord rejected the tabernacle of Joseph at Shiloh He chose mount Zion, Jerusalem which chiefly belonged to Benjamin (the of the Jebusite, "Jebusi, which Jerusalem" (&nbsp;Joshua 18:28), and all the land N. of the valley of Hinnom), and only in part to Judah, God's chosen tribe (&nbsp;Psalms 78:60; &nbsp;Psalms 78:67-68). In this sense Benjamin fulfilled Moses' prophecy in "dwelling between" Judah's (the Lord's representative) "shoulders," or ridges of the ravines which on the W., S., and E. environ the holy city. Primarily, however, the idea is, Benjamin as "the beloved of [[Jehovah]] shall dwell in safety with Him (literally, founded upon Him), and he (Benjamin) shall dwell between His (Jehovah's) shoulders," as a son borne upon his father's back (&nbsp;Deuteronomy 1:31; &nbsp;Deuteronomy 32:11; &nbsp;Exodus 19:4; &nbsp;Isaiah 46:3-4; &nbsp;Isaiah 63:9). </p> <p> This choice of Jerusalem as the seat of the ark and David's place of residence formed a strong He between Judah and Benjamin, though Saul's connection with the latter had previously made the Benjamites, as a tribe, slow to recognize David as king (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 12:29; &nbsp;2 Samuel 2:8-9). Hence at the severance of the ten tribes Benjamin remained with Judah (&nbsp;1 Kings 12:23; &nbsp;2 Chronicles 11:1). The two coalesced into one, under the common name Jews, whence they are called "one tribe" (&nbsp;1 Kings 11:13; &nbsp;1 Kings 11:32; &nbsp;1 Kings 12:20-21). Moreover, a part of Benjamin including Bethel, the seat of Jeroboam's calf worship, went with the ten tribes. Possibly Jeroboam's having appropriated it for the calf worship may have helped to alienate Benjamin from him and attach Benjamin to Judah. They two alone were the royal tribes. </p> <p> David was connected with Saul of Benjamin by marriage with his daughter, and therefore, feeling the political importance of the connection, made it a preliminary of his league with [[Abner]] that [[Michal]] should be restored to him, though [[Phaltiel]] had her heart (&nbsp;2 Samuel 3:13-16). Above all, what knit together Benjamin and Judah most was the position fixed by God for the great national temple, which deprived Ephraim of its former glory (&nbsp;Psalms 78:60-68); not in Judah only, or in Benjamin only, but on part of the confines of both, so that one text places it in Judah and the parallel text in Benjamin; compare &nbsp;Joshua 15:63 with &nbsp;Joshua 18:28. These elements of union between Benjamin and Judah are not obviously put forward in the sacred writings, but are found in them on close observation, just such seeds as would produce the ultimate union which the history records. </p> <p> Such undesigned coincidences agree best with the belief that the narrative is minutely true, not forged. Benjamin occupied a plateau generally about 2,000 feet above the [[Mediterranean]] plain, and 3,000 feet above the valley of the Jordan. The hilly nature of the country is marked by the names Gibeon, Gibeah, Geba, Ramah, [[Mizpeh]] (watchtower), "the ascent of Bethhoron," the cliff Rimmon, the pass of Michmash. Torrent beds and ravines are the only avenues from the Philistian and [[Sharon]] plains on the W., and from the deep Jordan valley on the E. These ravines were frequented once by many wild beasts, as the names of places testify: Zeboim, "hyaenas" (&nbsp;1 Samuel 13:17-18); [[Shual]] and [[Shaalbim]] (&nbsp;Judges 1:35), "foxes" or "jackals"; Ajalon, "gazelle." Up these western passes the Philistines advanced against Saul in the beginning of his reign, and drove him to Gilgal in the Arabah, occupying from [[Michmash]] to Ajalon. Down them they were driven again by Saul and Jonathan. Joshua chased the [[Canaanites]] down the long slopes of Bethhoron. </p> <p> The regular road between Jericho and Jerusalem was another of these passes, the scene of the parable of the good Samaritan. Lod, Ono, [[Aijalon]] were westward extensions of Benjamin's bounds beyond the original limit (&nbsp;Nehemiah 11:35). The presence of the ark at Kirjath Jearim in Benjamin, the prophet Samuel's residence in the sanctuary [[Ramah]] (&nbsp;1 Samuel 7:17; &nbsp;1 Samuel 9:12), the great assemblies of "all Israel" at Mizpeh (&nbsp;1 Samuel 7:5), and the sanctity attached of old to Bethel, "the great high place" at Gibeon (&nbsp;1 Kings 3:4; &nbsp;2 Chronicles 1:3), all tended to raise B. high in the nation, and to lead them to acquiesce in the choice of Saul as king, though belonging to "the smallest of the tribes of Israel" (&nbsp;1 Samuel 9:21). After Saul's and then Ishbosheth's death, Benjamin sent 3,000 men to [[Hebron]] to confirm the kingdom to David (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 12:23; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 12:29; &nbsp;2 Samuel 5:3), Abner having declared for him. But the [[Benjamite]] Shimei's curses and Sheba's rebel. lion indicate that Saul's party among the Benjamites, even after his dynasty had ceased, cherished the old grudge against David. </p> <p> Besides the causes mentioned before, which finally united Benjamin and Judah, there was Jeroboam's setting up the calf worship in Bethel (a Benjamite city) in rivalry of the temple of Jehovah in the joint city of Benjamin and Judah, Jerusalem (&nbsp;1 Kings 12:29); also Rehoboam's wise policy in dispersing his children through all Judah and Benjamin, into every" fenced city" (&nbsp;2 Chronicles 11:12; &nbsp;2 Chronicles 11:23); also Asa's covenant with Jehovah, in which Benjamin took part (2 Chronicles 15); also the advancement of Benjamites to high posts in the army (&nbsp;2 Chronicles 17:17). "The high gate of Benjamin" (&nbsp;Jeremiah 20:2) marked the tribe's individuality even in the joint metropolis of Benjamin and Judah; compare Ezra 2; &nbsp;Ezra 10:9; Nehemiah 7; &nbsp;Nehemiah 11:31-35 in proof of this individuality even after the return from Babylon. The genealogy of [[Kish]] and Saul, traced to a late date, brings us down to a Kish, father of Mordecai, the savior of the Jewish nation from Haman's intended destruction (&nbsp;Esther 2:5). </p> <p> The royal name reappears in Saul of Tarsus, whose glory was that he belonged to "the tribe of Benjamin" (&nbsp;Romans 11:1; &nbsp;Philippians 3:5.) His full sense of that honor appears in his reference to his forefather," Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin" (&nbsp;Acts 13:21.) In his own person he realized some of the prominent characteristics of his tribe: fierce obstinacy when be was "exceedingly mad against Christians, and persecuted them even unto strange cities" (&nbsp;Acts 26:11), equally persistent firmness when he declares, in spite of friends' entreaties, "I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus" (&nbsp;Acts 21:13). Thus Benjamin had the distinction of producing one of Israel's first judges, her first king, and the great apostle of the uncircumcision. </p> <p> '''2.''' A Benjamite, head of a family of giant men; son of [[Bilhan]] (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 7:10). </p> <p> '''3.''' One who married a foreign wife (&nbsp;Ezra 10:32). </p>

<p> [[Benjamin]] (''Bĕn'Ja-Mĭn'' ), ''Son Of The Right Hand.'' 1. The youngest son of Jacob, born in Palestine, not far from Bethlehem, after the return from Padan-aram. Rachel, his mother, died in giving him birth, and named him Ben-oni, ''Son Of My Sorrow'' , but the father called him Benjamin. Of Benjamin's personal character and history little is recorded. His brothers, touched perhaps with some sense of their cruel wrong to Joseph, seem to have treated him with tenderness; and, when they first went down to Egypt to buy corn, he was left at home. &nbsp;Genesis 42:3-4; &nbsp;Genesis 42:13. Joseph, however, required that he should be brought, and, to insure the return of the brethren, kept [[Simeon]] as a hostage. Verses 14-20, 33, 34. A prophetic blessing was pronounced by Jacob upon Benjamin. &nbsp;Genesis 49:27. The blessing of Moses, &nbsp;Deuteronomy 33:12, was significant of the location of the tribe between Ephraim and Judah, on the hills where "the joy of the whole earth," "the city of the great King," was afterwards established, a safe and happy dwelling-place "between his shoulders." The territory allotted to the Benjamites extended from the Jordan eastward to the frontier of Dan in the west. The Benjamites excelled as archers, &nbsp;2 Chronicles 17:17; while among the rest of Israel archery was (at least it has been so supposed) at one time neglected, &nbsp;2 Samuel 1:18; and their skill in slinging with either hand is particularly noted. &nbsp;1 Chronicles 12:2; &nbsp;Judges 20:16. The greatest misfortune that ever befel the tribe occurred not very long after the settlement in Canaan. Their cities were burnt; and there survived of the whole tribe but 600 men, for whom the oath of the [[Israelites]] rendered it difficult to provide wives when the angry passions of the nation had settled down. &nbsp;Judges 19:21. [[Restored]] to their inheritance this remnant must have been wealthy proprietors; three of the families are mentioned as supplying a large force of soldiers. &nbsp;1 Chronicles 7:6-11. The first monarch of Israel was a Benjamite; and no doubt his own tribe would be specially favored. &nbsp;1 Samuel 22:7. But the Benjamites never showed much attachment to Saul or his family. Indeed, many of them joined David while yet an outlaw. &nbsp;1 Chronicles 12:1-7. We thus see the drawings of Benjamin towards Judah, which issued in the firm union of both the tribes when the kingdom was divided. Thenceforward the history of the two is identical: both went into captivity, and both returned. &nbsp;Nehemiah 11:31-36. The name reappears with Saul of Tarsus, whose glory was that he belonged to "the tribe of Benjamin." &nbsp;Romans 11:1; &nbsp;Philippians 3:5. Thus Benjamin had the distinction of producing one of Israel's first judges, Ehud, &nbsp;Judges 3:15, her first king, and the great apostle to the Gentiles. 2. A Benjamite chief. &nbsp;1 Chronicles 7:10. 3. One who married a foreign wife. &nbsp;Ezra 10:32. 4. Benjamin is mentioned as taking part in the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem. &nbsp;Nehemiah 12:34. It would seem as if an individual were intended. </p>

<li> The younger son of Jacob by Rachel (&nbsp;Genesis 35:18 ). His birth took place at Ephrath, on the road between Bethel and Bethlehem, at a short distance from the latter place. His mother died in giving him birth, and with her last breath named him Ben-oni, son of my pain, a name which was changed by his father into Benjamin. His posterity are called Benjamites (&nbsp;Genesis 49:27; &nbsp;Deuteronomy 33:12; &nbsp;Joshua 18:21 ). <p> The tribe of Benjamin at the Exodus was the smallest but one (&nbsp;Numbers 1:36,37; &nbsp;Psalm 68:27 ). During the march its place was along with Manasseh and Ephraim on the west of the tabernacle. At the entrance into Canaan it counted 45,600 warriors. It has been inferred by some from the words of Jacob (&nbsp;Genesis 49:27 ) that the figure of a wolf was on the tribal standard. This tribe is mentioned in &nbsp;Romans 11:1; &nbsp;Philippians 3:5 . </p> <p> The inheritance of this tribe lay immediately to the south of that of Ephraim, and was about 26 miles in length and 12 in breadth. Its eastern boundary was the Jordan. Dan intervened between it and the Philistines. Its chief towns are named in &nbsp;Joshua 18:21-28 . </p> <p> The history of the tribe contains a sad record of a desolating civil war in which they were engaged with the other eleven tribes. By it they were almost exterminated (&nbsp;Judges 20:20,21; &nbsp;21:10 ). (See Gibeah .) </p> <p> The first king of the Jews was Saul, a Benjamite. A close alliance was formed between this tribe and that of Judah in the time of David (&nbsp; 2 Samuel 19:16,17 ), which continued after his death (&nbsp;1 Kings 11:13; &nbsp;12:20 ). After the [[Exile]] these two tribes formed the great body of the Jewish nation (&nbsp;Ezra 1:5; &nbsp;10:9 ). </p> <p> The tribe of Benjamin was famous for its archers (&nbsp;1 Samuel 20:20,36; &nbsp;2 Samuel 1:22; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 8:40; &nbsp;12:2 ) and slingers (Judge. 20:6). </p> <p> The gate of Benjamin, on the north side of Jerusalem (&nbsp;Jeremiah 37:13; &nbsp;38:7; &nbsp;Zechariah 14:10 ), was so called because it led in the direction of the territory of the tribe of Benjamin. It is called by (&nbsp;Jeremiah 20:2 ) "the high gate of Benjamin;" also "the gate of the children of the people" (17:19). (Compare &nbsp;2 Kings 14:13 .) </p> <div> <p> '''Copyright Statement''' These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by [[Thomas]] Nelson, 1897. Public Domain. </p> <p> '''Bibliography Information''' Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Benjamin'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ebd/b/benjamin.html. 1897. </p> </div> </li>

<p> '''''ben´ja''''' -'''''min''''' ( בּנימין , <i> '''''binyāmı̄n''''' </i> , or בּנימן , <i> '''''binyāmin''''' </i> ; Βενιαείν , <i> '''''Beniaeı́n''''' </i> , Βενιαμίν , <i> '''''Beniamı́n''''' </i> ): </p> 1. The [[Patriarch]] <p> The youngest of Jacob's sons. His mother Rachel died in giving him birth. As she felt death approaching she called him Benoni, "son of my sorrow." Fearing, probably, that this might bode evil for the child - for names have always preserved a peculiar significance in the East - J acob called him Benjamin, "son of the fight hand" (&nbsp;Genesis 35:17 ). He alone of Jacob's sons was born in Palestine, between Bethel and Ephrath. Later in the chapter, in the general enumeration of the children born in Paddan-ar am, the writer fails to except Benjamin (&nbsp;Genesis 35:24 ). Joseph was his full brother. In the history where Benjamin appears as an object of solicitude to his father and brothers, we must not forget that he was already a grown man. At the time of the descent of Israel to Egypt Joseph was about 40 years of age. Benjamin was not much younger, and was himself the father of a family. The phrase in &nbsp;Genesis 44:20 , "a little one," only describes in oriental fashion one much younger than the speaker. And as the youngest of the family no doubt he was made much of. [[Remorse]] over their heartless treatment of his brother Joseph may have made the other brothers especially tender toward Benjamin. The conduct of his brethren all through the trying experiences in Egypt places them in a more attractive light than we should have expected; and it must have been a gratification to their father (Gen 42ff). Ten sons of Benjamin are named at the time of their settlement in Egypt (&nbsp;Genesis 46:21 ). </p> 2. The [[Tribe]] <p> At the Exodus the number of men of war in the tribe is given as 35,400. At the second census it is 45,600 (&nbsp;Numbers 1:37; &nbsp;Numbers 26:41 ). Their place in the host was with the standard of the camp of Ephraim on the west of the tabernacle, their prince being [[Abidan]] the son of Gideoni (&nbsp;Numbers 2:22 f). Benjamin was represented among the spies by [[Palti]] the son of Raphu; and at the division of the land the prince of Benjamin was [[Elidad]] the son of [[Chislon]] (&nbsp; Numbers 13:9; &nbsp;Numbers 34:21 ). </p> 3. Territory <p> The boundaries of the lot that fell to Benjamin are pretty clearly indicated (&nbsp;Joshua 18:11 ). It lay between Ephraim on the North and Judah on the South. The northern frontier started from the Jordan over against Jericho, and ran to the north of that town up through the mountain westward past Bethaven, taking in Bethel. It then went down by Ataroth-addar to Beth-horon the nether. From this point the western frontier ran southward to Kiriath-jearim. The southern boundary ran from Kiriath-jearim eas tward to the fountain of the waters of Netophah, swept round by the south of Jerrus and passed down through the wilderness northern by shore of the [[Dead]] Sea at the mouth of the Jordan. The river formed the eastern boundary. The lot was comparatively small. This, according to Josephus, was owing to "the goodness of the land" ( <i> Ant. </i> , V, i, 22); a description that would apply mainly to the plans of Jericho. The uplands are stony, mountainous, and poor in water; but there is much good land on the western slopes. </p> 4. Importance of Position <p> It will be seen from the above that Benjamin held the main avenues of approach to the highlands from both East and West: that by which Joshua led Israel past [[Ai]] from Gilgal, and the longer and easier ascents from the West, notably that along which the tides of battle so often rolled, the Valley of Aijalon, by way of the Beth-horons. Benjamin also sat astride the great highway connecting North and South, which ran along the ridge of the western range, in the district where it was easiest of defense. It was a position calling for occupation by a brave and warlike tribe such as Benjamin proved to be. His warriors were skillful archers and slingers, and they seem to have cultivated the use of both hands, which gave them a great advantage in battle (&nbsp;Judges 20:16; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 8:40; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 12:2 , etc.). These characteristics are reflected in the Blessing of Jacob (&nbsp;Genesis 49:27 ). The second deliverer of Israel in the period of the Judges was Ehud, the left-handed Benjamite (&nbsp;Judges 3:15 ). </p> 5. History <p> The Benjamites fought against Sisera under [[Deborah]] and [[Barak]] (&nbsp;Judges 5:14 ). The story told in &nbsp;Judges 20:21 presents many difficulties which cannot be discussed here. It is valuable as preserving certain features of life in these lawless times when there was no details in Israel. Whatever may be said of the details, it certainly reflects the memory of some atrocity in which the Benjamites were involved and for which they suffered terrible punishment. The election of Saul as first king over united Israel naturally lent a certain prestige to the tribe. After the death of Saul they formed the backbone of Ish-bosheth's party, and most unwillingly conceded precedence to Judah in the person of David (&nbsp; 2 Samuel 2:15 , &nbsp;2 Samuel 2:25; &nbsp;2 Samuel 3:17 ). It was a Benjamite who heaped curses upon David in the hour of his deep humiliation (&nbsp;2 Samuel 16:5 ); and the jealousy of Benjamin led to the revolt on David's return, which was so effectually stamped out by [[Joab]] (2 Sam 19 f). Part of the tribe, probably the larger part, went against Judah at the disruption of the kingdom, taking Bethel with them. &nbsp;1 Kings 12:20 says that none followed the house of David but the house of Judah only. But the next verse tells us that Rehoboam gathered the men of Judah and Benjamin to fight against Jeroboam. It seems probable that as Jerusalem had now become the royal city of the house of David, the adjoining parts of Benjamin proved loyal, while the more distant joined the Northern Kingdom. After the downfall of [[Samaria]] Judah assumed control of practically the whole territory of Benjamin (&nbsp; 2 Kings 23:15 , &nbsp;2 Kings 23:19 , etc.). Nehemiah gives the Valley of Hinnom as the south boundary of Benjamin in his time (&nbsp;Nehemiah 11:30 ), while westward it extended to include [[Lod]] and Ono. Saul of Tarsus was a member of this tribe (&nbsp;Philippians 3:5 ). </p> <p> (4) A great-grandson of Benjamin, son of Jacob (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 7:10 ). </p> <p> (5) One of those who had married a foreign wife (&nbsp;Ezra 10:32 , and probably also &nbsp;Nehemiah 3:23; &nbsp;Nehemiah 12:34 ). </p>