Numbers 1:11
Of Benjamin; Abidan the son of Gideoni.
Original Language Analysis
לְבִ֨נְיָמִ֔ן
Of Benjamin
H1144
לְבִ֨נְיָמִ֔ן
Of Benjamin
Strong's:
H1144
Word #:
1 of 4
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
Historical Context
Benjamin was Rachel's second son, born as she died (Genesis 35:18). The tribe remained loyal to Judah when the kingdom divided, forming the core of the southern kingdom alongside Judah. Paul later identified himself as 'of the tribe of Benjamin' (Philippians 3:5).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Benjamin's small size yet significant role challenge assumptions about what God can do through seemingly weak instruments?
- What does Paul's identification with Benjamin teach us about the enduring significance of covenant identity?
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Analysis & Commentary
Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob and brother of Joseph, receives equal representation despite his small size (the tribe would later be known as 'little Benjamin,' Psalm 68:27). This demonstrates that in God's economy, age, size, and human prominence do not determine spiritual significance. Benjamin's later production of King Saul and the apostle Paul shows how God uses even the smallest tribes for crucial purposes in redemptive history.