Benjamin

Son of my right hand. (1.) The younger son of Jacob by Rachel (Gen. 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 (Gen. 49:27; Deut. 33:12; Josh. 18:21). The tribe of Benjamin at the Exodus was the smallest but one (Num. 1:36, 37; Ps. 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 (Gen. 49:27) that the figure of a wolf was on the tribal standard. This tribe is mentioned in Rom. 11:1; Phil. 3:5. 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 Josh. 18:21-28. 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 (Judg. 20:20, 21; 21:10). (See GIBEAH.) 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 (2 Sam. 19:16, 17), which continued after his death (1 Kings 11:13; 12:20). After the Exile these two tribes formed the great body of the Jewish nation (Ezra 1:5; 10:9). The tribe of Benjamin was famous for its archers (1 Sam. 20:20, 36; 2 Sam. 1:22; 1 Chr. 8:40; 12:2) and slingers (Judge. 20:6). The gate of Benjamin, on the north side of Jerusalem (Jer. 37:13; 38:7; Zech. 14:10), was so called because it led in the direction of the territory of the tribe of Benjamin. It is called by Jeremiah (20:2) “the high gate of Benjamin;” also “the gate of the children of the people” (17:19). (Comp. 2 Kings 14:13.)

(son of the right hand, fortunate).

BEN'JAMIN (son of the right hand), LAND OF, the portion of Canaan between Ephraim, the Jordan, Judah, and Dan, containing 26 cities, including Jerusalem and the famous passes of Michmash and Beth-horon. See Josh 18:11-28. It was about 25 miles long by 12 wide. Physical Features. — This territory was a hilly country, its general level being about 2000 feet above the Mediterranean and 3000 feet above the Jordan valley. It includes mountains broken by deep ravines. For productions, etc., see Canaan, Palestine, and Judah. Some of the most important events in Scripture history took place in this territory, which will be noticed under the kings of Judah.

son of the right hand

BEN'JAMIN (son of the right hand), LAND OF, the portion of Canaan between Ephraim, the Jordan, Judah, and Dan, containing 26 cities, including Jerusalem and the famous passes of Michmash and Beth-horon. See Josh 18:11-28. It was about 25 miles long by 12 wide. Physical Features. — This territory was a hilly country, its general level being about 2000 feet above the Mediterranean and 3000 feet above the Jordan valley. It includes mountains broken by deep ravines. For productions, etc., see Canaan, Palestine, and Judah. Some of the most important events in Scripture history took place in this territory, which will be noticed under the kings of Judah.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

See Benzoin.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

A kind of upper coat for men. [Colloq. Eng.]