Person · Bible dictionary
Benjamin
The youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, born at her death — head of a tribe that produced King Saul and the apostle Paul.
Rachel named him Ben-Oni ("son of my sorrow") with her dying breath; Jacob renamed him Benjamin ("son of my right hand").
Benjamin was beloved of his father after Joseph's presumed loss, and figures heavily in Joseph's reunion with his brothers.
His tribe was small but mighty — Saul, Israel's first king, came from it, and so did Saul of Tarsus, the apostle Paul.
Original BibleDawn entry. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.