Benjamin

Benjamin was born during Jacob's journey from Paddan-aram to Bethlehem. His birth cost his mother Rachel her life; with her dying breath she named him Ben-oni, meaning "son of my sorrow." But Jacob renamed him Benjamin, meaning "son of my right hand"—a name of honor and favor.

After Joseph's apparent death, Benjamin became the focus of Jacob's intense love, as the only surviving son of his beloved Rachel. When famine brought the brothers to Egypt to buy grain, Jacob refused to let Benjamin go, saying, "His brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way... then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave."

Joseph, testing his brothers, demanded they bring Benjamin. Judah pledged his own life as surety. When Joseph saw Benjamin, he was so overcome with emotion he had to leave the room to weep. Later, Joseph tested whether the brothers would abandon Benjamin as they had abandoned him, by planting his silver cup in Benjamin's sack. Judah's willingness to take Benjamin's place convinced Joseph of their transformation.

Benjamin's tribe, though small, was known for its warriors. King Saul, the first king of Israel, and the apostle Paul both descended from Benjamin. Jacob's blessing over Benjamin described the tribe as a "ravenous wolf" that would devour its prey—a prophecy of their martial prowess.