"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."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Benjamin Meaning in the Bible
Benjamin
boy
Benjamin means "Son of the right hand", a boy's name of Hebrew origin. Benjamin appears in the King James Bible, and Genesis 35:18 is the passage most often tied to it. 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.
Is Benjamin in the Bible?
Yes — Benjamin appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 35:18.
Pronunciation:/BEN-juh-min/
OriginHebrew
MeaningSon of the right hand
What does Benjamin mean?
Benjamin is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "Son of the right hand". Benjamin means "son of the right hand" in Hebrew, a name given by his father Jacob.
Which Bible Character Are You?
Take this free Bible personality quiz to discover which Bible character you are most like. 10 questions, instant result with a King James verse.
One of 36 free KJV quizzes — see them all.
Editor’s reflection
'Son of the right hand' — a name a father chose to overwrite his wife's dying words.
Benjamin (בִּנְיָמִין, Binyamin) combines ben, 'son,' with yamin, 'right hand' — the side of favour, strength, and honour in Hebrew idiom. Genesis 35:18 records the double naming at Rachel's death near Bethlehem: 'as her soul was in departing, (for she died) she called his name Ben-oni: but his father called him Benjamin.' Ben-oni means 'son of my sorrow.'
It is one of the most quietly moving verses in Genesis. Jacob does not deny the grief; he refuses to let it be the boy's identity for life. Every use of the name afterwards is a small act of that refusal.
The tribe of Benjamin was the smallest and among the most turbulent — nearly annihilated in Judges 20 — and yet it produced Israel's first king, Saul, and the apostle Paul, who identifies himself as 'of the tribe of Benjamin' in Romans 11:1 and Philippians 3:5. Jerusalem itself sat on the border of Benjamin's allotment.
In current use Benjamin is a US top-ten fixture, and unusually it supports genuinely different nicknames — Ben, Benji, Benny — that suit different ages. The 'youngest son' association from the Joseph narrative also gives it a natural warmth for a last child.
“And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Ben-oni: but his father called him Benjamin.”
Why parents choose Benjamin today
- •Meaning 'son of the right hand' — favour and strength
- •Youngest of Jacob's twelve sons, tribe of Saul and of the apostle Paul
- •Ben, Benji, and Benny cover childhood through adulthood
- •Steady US top-ten name without feeling faddish
What does Benjamin mean in the Bible?
Benjamin means "Son of the right hand" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
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.
Where does Benjamin appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Benjamin is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with Genesis 35:18. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"Of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews."
Take the KJV Bible with You
Download the complete King James Bible as a free PDF — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
What are the variants and nicknames of Benjamin?
Benjamin has 4 recorded variants, short forms, and translations across languages and biblical traditions.
Variants & related forms
Benjamín
Common nicknames
Ben
Benny
Benji
Who was Benjamin in the Bible?
Benjamin is most closely associated with the Bible character of the same name. Their story is the reason the name carries the weight it does.
Read About Benjamin in the BibleWhich books of the Bible mention Benjamin?
Benjamin is mentioned across 4 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Benjamin?
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 Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Benjamin:
God Promises Strength in Weakness
Bible promises that God's power is made perfect in your weakness.
God Promises a Harvest If You Don't Give Up
Bible promises for perseverance and not growing weary.
God Promises Courage for Every Battle
Bible promises about divine courage when facing opposition and challenges.
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Character
Benjamin in the Bible
The Beloved Youngest
Bible Story
Samson and Delilah
Judges 13–16 • strength
Character
Rachel in the Bible
The Beloved Wife
Bible Quiz
Benjamin Bible Quiz
Jacob's youngest son, beloved of his father and brother Joseph.
Personality Quiz
Which Hebrews 11 Hero of Faith Are You?
Free KJV quiz on the Hebrews 11 hall of faith — Abraham, Noah, Sarah or Rahab? D
Commentary
Deuteronomy 33:12 Commentary
In-depth study • Safety & Beloved
What names are related to Benjamin?
Names like Benjamin
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "Son of the right hand" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Benjamin
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Eliana
girl
"My God has answered"
Benjamin & Eliana
Abigail
girl
"Father's joy; Source of joy"
Benjamin & Abigail
Abigail
girl
"Father of joy"
Benjamin & Abigail
Abihail
unisex
"Father of might"
Benjamin & Abihail
Abijah
unisex
"My father is the LORD; The LORD is my father"
Benjamin & Abijah
Abishag
girl
"My father wanders; Father of error"
Benjamin & Abishag
Share the meaning of Benjamin
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Benjamin name meaning: frequently asked questions
Rachel named him Ben-oni, 'son of my sorrow,' as she died giving birth to him on the road to Ephrath (Genesis 35:18). Jacob immediately renamed him Benjamin, 'son of the right hand,' refusing to let his son carry his mother's death as a permanent title. Scripture records both names in the same verse and then uses only Benjamin thereafter.
Yes — Benjamin appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 35:18.
Benjamin means "Son of the right hand." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in Genesis 35:18, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Common questions about the name Benjamin
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Benjamin?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Benjamin?
You can read every verse where Benjamin appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.