The Tribe of Benjamin: Smallest, Youngest, but Incredibly Important in Biblical History

The tribe of Benjamin was led by Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob, by his wife, Rachel. Rachel died while giving birth to him.

He has a rich history and his descendants include many famous and important biblical figures.

Compared with many of the other tribes of Israel and their descendants, the tribe of Benjamin is not mentioned nearly as often. However, as you will see, the tribe of Benjamin is very noteworthy and many of the most famous of Bible stories involve his descendants.

The Tribe of Benjamin

The Tribe of BenjaminPlay Video

Before we get into that, let’s look at the history of the tribe of Benjamin.

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The History of the Tribe of Benjamin

The tribe of Benjamin was involved in numerous battles. Under the Judges, the tribe of Benjamin was part of the battle led by Deborah and Barak against Sisera. They were also engaged in the  and the catastrophic battle with Israel we read about in Judges 20:20.

From Ephraim their root they marched down into the valley,

    following you, Benjamin, with your kinsmen;

from Machir marched down the commanders,

    and from Zebulun those who bear the lieutenant’s staff;

The first king of Israel, Saul, was from the tribe of Benjamin (more on his descendants below). His appointment to this position increases the prestige of the tribe.

After Saul’s death, the tribe of Benjamin remained faithful to his house.

The Israelite army was commanded by Abner for Ishbosheth, Saul’s son. The army was made up of mostly Benjamites. They were quite successful in mounting considerable opposition to the appointment of David as king.

Then they arose and passed over by number, twelve for Benjamin and Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.

2 SAMUEL 2:15 (ESV)

The tribe of Benjamin continued to oppose David being named as king.

When David returned to Jerusalem and was a favorite of Judah, it was a Benjamite (his name was Sheba) who started a revolt. All except Judah followed him and it was Joab who pursued him on behalf of David. He was betrayed by a woman of Abel of Beth-maachah and was slain.

Now there happened to be there a worthless man, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjaminite. And he blew the trumpet and said,

“We have no portion in David,

and we have no inheritance in the son of Jesse;

every man to his tents, O Israel!”

2 SAMUEL 20:1 (ESV)

At the division of the kingdom, we might have expected Benjamin to join in the revolt against Rehoboam and secede with the other tribes leaving Judah alone. Some passages support this (1 Kings 12:20) while others state explicitly that Benjamin remained with Judah.

In Jerusalem, there were two gates named for Benjamin. One was in the temple and the other, many scholars believe, was the one that is often referred to as the “sheep gate” in the North wall of the city.

Then Pashhur beat Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the upper Benjamin Gate of the house of the Lord.

JEREMIAH 20:2 (ESV)

When he was at the Benjamin Gate, a sentry there named Irijah the son of Shelemiah, son of Hananiah, seized Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “You are deserting to the Chaldeans.”

JEREMIAH 37:13 (ESV)

The whole land shall be turned into a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem. But Jerusalem shall remain aloft on its site from the Gate of Benjamin to the place of the former gate, to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king’s winepresses.

ZECHARIAH 14:10 (ESV)

The tribe of Benjamin is known for its skillful archers and slingers. One fun fact about the Benjamite warriors is that they were ambidextrous, being able to handle the sling equally well with either hand.

They were bowmen and could shoot arrows and sling stones with either the right or the left hand; they were Benjamites, Saul’s kinsmen.

1 CHRONICLES 12:2

The tribe of Benjamin, however, had a dark side. Their warlike nature not only defended their country, we see in scripture that they also fought against the other eleven tribes and a civil war ensued. (Judges 19—21)

This period had the reputation of everyone doing what was right in his own eyes (Judges 21:25). What led to the civil war was the horrific abuse and death of an unnamed Levite’s concubine (Judges 19:10–28). The eleven tribes turned against the tribe of Benjamin and nearly annihilated them because of their refusal to give up the perpetrators (Judges 20:1—21:25). Eventually, the tribes restored Benjamin’s tribe, greatly diminished due to the war, and the country reunited.

At the time of the first census under Moses, the able-bodied men available for war from the tribe of Benjamin was given as 35,400 (Numbers 1:37) and at the second census, 45,600 (Numbers 26:41).

The Territory of the Benjamites

The exact or specific boundary lines of the tribe of Benjamin have been impossible for biblical scholars to determine with certainty. We can look at relevant passages in Joshua to give us an estimate.

And the east boundary is the Salt Sea, to the mouth of the Jordan. And the boundary on the north side runs from the bay of the sea at the mouth of the Jordan. And the boundary goes up to Beth-hoglah and passes along north of Beth-arabah. And the boundary goes up to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben. And the boundary goes up to Debir from the Valley of Achor, and so northward, turning toward Gilgal, which is opposite the ascent of Adummim, which is on the south side of the valley. And the boundary passes along to the waters of En-shemesh and ends at En-rogel. Then the boundary goes up by the Valley of the Son of Hinnom at the southern shoulder of the Jebusite (that is, Jerusalem). And the boundary goes up to the top of the mountain that lies over against the Valley of Hinnom, on the west, at the northern end of the Valley of Rephaim. Then the boundary extends from the top of the mountain to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah, and from there to the cities of Mount Ephron. Then the boundary bends around to Baalah (that is, Kiriath-jearim). And the boundary circles west of Baalah to Mount Seir, passes along to the northern shoulder of Mount Jearim (that is, Chesalon), and goes down to Beth-shemesh and passes along by Timnah. The boundary goes out to the shoulder of the hill north of Ekron, then the boundary bends around to Shikkeron and passes along to Mount Baalah and goes out to Jabneel. Then the boundary comes to an end at the sea.

JOSHUA 15:5-11

Generally, Benjamin’s territory sits in between the territory of Judah to the South and that of the territory of Joseph to the North.

In Joshua 18:21-27 we see a list of the many cities and towns contained within the territory of Benjamin and, included among them are Jebus (Jerusalem) and Jericho.

Now the cities of the tribe of the people of Benjamin according to their clans were Jericho, Beth-hoglah, Emek-keziz, Beth-arabah, Zemaraim, Bethel, Avvim, Parah, Ophrah, Chephar-ammoni, Ophni, Geba—twelve cities with their villages: Gibeon, Ramah, Beeroth, Mizpeh, Chephirah, Mozah, Rekem, Irpeel, Taralah,

JOSHUA 18:21-27 (ESV)

Wherever the actual Western border is located, the tribe of Benjamin’s territory was located strategically for battle and warfare.

The main thoroughfare of the region runs North to South right through it.

Jacob’s Blessing to Benjamin

On Jacob’s deathbed, he famously gave each of his sons a blessing. As the youngest, Benjamin received his last.

 “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf,

    in the morning devouring the prey

    and at evening dividing the spoil.”

GENESIS 49:27 (ESV)

The warlike nature of the small tribe of Benjamin became well known, as exhibited in their swordsmen and in their ungodly defense of their extreme wickedness in Gibeah (Judges 19—20).

Benjamin’s blessing has three parts. Compared to a wolf, his blessing has two time frames, morning and evening; it has two actions, devouring and dividing; and two outcomes, prey and spoil. This sets up a type of “before and after” experience for Benjamin and his offspring.

We do know, however, that Jacob doesn’t appear to learn from his mistake of playing favorites with Joseph, because he does the same with Benjamin. When Joseph, as governor over Egypt is unrecognized by his brothers, Joseph tests them by threatening to enslave Benjamin for “stealing” from him (Genesis 44), his brothers beg Joseph to let someone else take Benjamin’s place.

Jacob would not let Benjamin to go Egypt with the other brothers, showing his favoritism for his youngest living son.

What Does Benjamin’s Blessing Mean?

So, we know, from above, that Benjamin’s blessing has three parts. Jacob describes Benjamin (and the tribe of Benjamin) as a wolf that devours his prey in the morning and divides his plunder in the evening.

According to John Gill’s commentary, wolves are a symbolism of military valor. This means this tribe would have military success, which sheds light on the rest of the blessing about prey and plunder.

This symbolism is important later when we read about the disciple Paul, who was also from the tribe of Benjamin (more on this below). In the” morning” of Paul’s life, he “devoured” Christians, but by the end of his life, he enjoyed the spoils of the Christian walk, and eternal life, his “plunder”.

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Key Figures from the Tribe of Benjamin

Scripture tell us that at least four biblically famous people came from the tribe of Benjamin, even though the tribe was the smallest of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Saul answered, “Am I not a Benjaminite, from the least of the tribes of Israel? And is not my clan the humblest of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then have you spoken to me in this way?”

1 SAMUEL 9:21 (ESV)

Ehud

The first great figure is Ehud. Ehud was a great warrior who saved Israel from Moab. Ehud was a rather obscure judge in Israel’s history. He was also a left-handed assassin who defeated the king of Moab and restored Israel from their enemies. You can learn more about Ehud and his story in Judges 3:12–30.

Saul

Saul, the first king of Israel, was a Benjamite (1 Samuel 9:15–27). Saul had a great deal of military victory. However, at the end of his life, he strayed away from God and did not enjoy the spoils of the Christian walk. Earlier in his life, when he walked closer with the Lord, he often led Israel to the winning side of many military conquests (1 Samuel 11-20).

Esther

You may be surprised that Queen Esther also comes from the tribe of Benjamin. While she was, of course, not a military leader, she waged her own war to save her people, helping to undermine a plot to destroy the Jewish people after winning the heart of King Ahasuerus.

Paul

Finally, Saul, later known as Paul is the fourth famous member of the tribe of Benjamin. The Apostle Paul descends from Benjamin’s line.

though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.Philippians 3:4-8 (ESV)

As discussed above, at one time, Paul sought to “devour” Christians. But once he was transformed by the power of Jesus and received salvation, he changed allegiances and experienced the “plunders” later in his life.

Lessons We Can Learn from the Tribe of Benjamin

1 God looks at our hearts

God doesn’t see people as we do; God looks at our hearts. God saw a warrior inside of Benjamin. Others, however, saw him as the youngest son and the tribe of Benjamin as the smallest tribe. But God saw more, a man who would both devour and divide.

2 God Changes Our Nature When We Come to Him

The next lesson comes for us when we look at the two Sauls, both from the tribe of Benjamin. King Saul, the embodiment of the sin nature and its war against God. Saul/Paul’s nature was changed by God from a murderous Pharisee to the apostle of grace. Paul is the example of what God does for those who come to Christ in faith.

Paul is the example of what God does for those who come to Christ in faith.CLICK TO TWEET

3 Military and Business Cunning Doesn’t Always Win

Just because one has military prowess or business acumen doesn’t always mean they will have a positive or winning life. Famously in Scripture, the tribe of Benjamin gang-rapes and kills a Levite concubine. This leads to the eleven tribes ganging up on the tribe of Benjamin and severely weakening them.

4 Our Earthly Position Doesn’t Matter

All the important figures from the tribe of Benjamin had military strength, cunning (Esther and Ehud) and political savvy, except for Paul. All four held a high position of some type.

Paul ended up yielding his position when he followed Christ. We, as Christians receive a higher heavenly position when we gain our inheritance in Christ and graduate to heaven (2 Timothy 2:12).

if we endure, we will also reign with him;

if we deny him, he also will deny us; –

2 Timothy 2:12 (ESV)

You may enjoy this short video on the tribe of Benjamin:https://www.youtube.com/embed/0jHP-GJs_fI?feature=oembed

To dig even deeper, I’ve enjoyed these reference materials and you may, as well:

The Quest for the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel: To the Ends of the Earth by Rivka Gonen

Jacob’s Dozen: A Prophetic Look at the Tribes of Israel by Will Varner, William C Varner

Would you add any lessons we can learn from the tribe of Benjamin? I’d love to hear from you!