Benjamin
Pronounced BEN-juh-min
- Meaning
- "Son of the right hand"
- Origin
- Hebrew
Benjamin means "son of the right hand" in Hebrew, a name given by his father Jacob. His mother Rachel, who died giving birth, had named him Ben-oni ("son of my sorrow"), but Jacob changed it to Benjamin — turning a name of grief into one of honor and strength. Benjamin was the youngest of Jacob's twelve sons and the only full brother of Joseph. The tribe of Benjamin produced Israel's first king, Saul, and later the apostle Paul, who identified himself as "of the tribe of Benjamin" (Philippians 3:5). The "right hand" in biblical culture represented strength, favor, and blessing. Being called "son of the right hand" signified a place of special honor and closeness to the father.
Spiritual meaning
Benjamin's name — 'son of the right hand' — speaks of the honored position we hold as God's children. What the world may label as sorrow, God transforms into blessing and strength.
Related verses (KJV)
"And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin."
Genesis 35:18 (KJV)
"Of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews."
Philippians 3:5 (KJV)