We are in chapter 35 of Genesis with our word for today. בִּנְיָמִין Benjamin. It is a compound word בֵּן son and יָמִין right side, right, regarded highly, right hand. It is used 165 times in the Old Testament. We see it used as the name of Rachel’s last son. Genesis 35:22-24. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve. The sons of Leah: Reuben (Jacob's firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. The sons of Rachel: Joseph and בִנְיָמִֽן Benjamin. It will also become one of the tribes of the twelve tribes of Israel as well as a territory. Joshua 18:11 The first lot came up for the tribe of בִנְיָמִ֖ן Benjamin according to its clans. Their allotted territory lay between the tribes of Judah and Joseph.
As we have seen several times already that God was working in naming people because it speaks to their future. Genesis 35:16-19 Then they journeyed from Bethel. When they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel went into labor, and she had hard labor. And when her labor was at its hardest, the midwife said to her, “Do not fear, for you have another son.” And as her soul was departing (for she was dying), she called his name Ben-oni; but his father called him בִּנְיָמִין Benjamin. So Rachel died, and she was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).
Jacob changed his name right as his wife was dying. Rachel originally called him Ben-oni. This is a compound word בֵּן son and אוֹנִי lament or sorrow. We don’t really know why Jacob did this because it doesn’t say. My guess is probably to encourage him not to think about his name being the occasion of his mother’s death. So when he would hear his name it would not mean son of sorrow but son of my right side or right hand or strength. Something positive. As the youngest son of the wife he dearly loved he was very protective of Benjamin. Genesis 42:3-4 Then ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt. But Jacob did not send בִּנְיָמִין֙Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with the others, because he was afraid that harm might come to him.
What is interesting is that God allows Jacob’s right side or right hand son to be taken from him and go to Egypt. Genesis 42:33-36 “Then the man who is lord over the land said to us, ‘This is how I will know whether you are honest men: Leave one of your brothers here with me, and take food for your starving households and go. But bring your youngest brother to me so I will know that you are not spies but honest men. Then I will give your brother back to you, and you can trade in the land.’” As they were emptying their sacks, there in each man’s sack was his pouch of silver! When they and their father saw the money pouches, they were frightened. Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin בִּנְיָמִ֣ןEverything is against me!”
Like we have seen with many of the names so far in the Bible has something to do with their future purpose. Why would God allow someone so dear to Jacob his own right side or right hand be made to have to leave him? God is always challenging our trust in him even when it seems like our future is bleak. So this son of my right side was used to help grow Jacob’s faith in God. This reminds me of what God is doing in all things to make us grow closer to him and grow in our character. James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
