BENJAMIN
The last of Jacob’s sons, and son of Rachel, and brother of Joseph. Upon arriving in Bethlehem, Rachel gave birth to Benjamin. When he died in childbirth, she gave him the name Benoni, “son of my affliction.”
Jacob called him Benjamin (Gen. 35:16-20); He was greatly loved by his father, particularly after the loss of Joseph, because he had had him in his old age, and he was Rachel’s youngest son.
Jacob very much resisted her accompanying his brothers to Egypt. Judah feared that if any misfortune befell Benjamin, his father might die of grief (Gen. 43:1-17).
Joseph also loved Benjamin very much (Gen. 43:29-34; 44:1-34). Benjamin had ten sons and numerous descendants, who formed a tribe of Israel (Gen. 46:21; Num. 26:38-41; 1 Chron. 7:6-12; 8).
Two people also bear this name (1 Chr. 7:10; Ezra 10:32).