A Father’s Delight
It came about as her soul was departing (for she died), that she named him Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin. Genesis 35:18 NASB
Benjamin – No surprise here. Jacob renames his last son Ben-jamin rather than Ben-oni. To understand why, let’s put it in Hebrew transliteration. Ya’aqov names the boy, Ben-yamin rather than Ben-oni. Why? Because the mother, Rachel, dies in giving birth to this son. She names the child Ben-oni, that is, “son of my sorrow” or “son of my pain.” Ya’aqov can hardly withstand the loss of his beloved wife, so he certainly will not want the constant reminder of this tragedy in the son’s name. He chooses another name—“son of my right hand.” But Ben-yamin is hardly the son of the father’s right hand. The name portends power and reliable strength. Ben-jamin demonstrates neither. In fact, as youngest, he is often protected and sheltered. The other sons demonstrate family power, especially in relation to dynastic order and tribal revenge. If anyone might deserve this name, it would be Yosef who rescues them all from starvation. Yosef’s name means “YHVH will increase,” quite fitting for his anticipated future, but hardly in line with “the right hand” image, unless, of course, we consider him the right hand of Pharaoh, something Ya’akov clearly did not have in mind.
So back to Ben-yamin. In what way is this last son the right hand man? A little family history might help. Benjamin is the only son born in Canaan, the promised land. By this time, Ya’aqov had already encountered the mysterious “man” at Jabbok and had his own name changed to Yisra’el, the one who struggles with God and men but perseveres. This last son is in this sense a promised inheritor of a new world, the world removed from the pagan influences of the past. This son belongs to God’s land, away from the struggle with identity of the family of Isaac and Laben. Perhaps Ya’akov sees him as the new right hand, the one who is truly part of God’s promise rather than the sons who all have one foot in the old ways. Since “the right hand” is a Hebraic idiom for strength, perhaps Ya’aqov is projecting a new family dynamic where this youngest son will become the representative of God’s power in God’s land. Or perhaps Ya’aqov just needs some strengthening comfort himself. Having endured the family dysfunctional history in Mesopotamia, perhaps he needs a sign that the old ways are over and a new history with God will now take center stage.
But it was not to be. Despite his longing, despite all the potential in such a name, it is Rachel’s choice that projects the future of the family, not Ya’aqov’s. By the time Ya’aqov clearly understands just how prophetic his wife’s choice was, he has endured one emotional catastrophe after another. He might be done with his past, but his past is not yet done with him. Once again YHVH chooses the other, this time the first of Rachel’s sons, Yosef. Frankly, in Hebrew history you never really know what God is going to do next. But does it matter?
Topical Index: Benjamin, Ben-oni, Jacob, Joseph, Genesis 35:18
Today is my youngest son’s birthday. He has brought me nothing but joy. He is truly the ben-yamin in my life. Thank you, Michael.
Perhaps he was giving the name to honor the strength of his wife Rachel.
Perhaps he finally felt that his own right arm was now strong enough to bequeath.
(Slow morning, so, if nothing else, here’s a curiosity regarding, “son of my right hand.”)
There are only three mentions of left-handed people in the Bible—and all of them refer to members of the tribe of Benjamin, including their deadly accurate slingers.
Judges 20:16 Among all these soldiers there were seven hundred select troops who were left-handed, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.
One of the most graphic stories in the Bible relates how Ehud, the left-handed Israelite judge from the tribe of Benjamin, freed Israel from Moabite domination (Judges 3:12–30).
Regarding their warlike nature, the small tribe of Benjamin became well known, as exhibited in their swordsmen. (1 Chronicles 8:40, 12:2; 2 Chronicles 14:8, 17:17)
King Saul and Saul/Paul are also noted as sons of Benjamin.
And Mordechai and Esther, too!!
What’s in a name ?
Jacob knew the pain of living with a name he did not choose. He never asked his parents to name him Jacob or deceiver. Yet he had to answer that name all his life. Everyone called him deceiver and expected him to live like it. Till he yearned for the faithful Lord to bless him. What a blessing God gave him by changing his name. Not to be called Jacob anymore but Israel. Prince of God. Son of great King. This is a father’s heart. New identity and new life. New blessing. New start. A loving heart that has such deep compassion and mercy. God loves us. Jacob has a choice to speak in his new born son’s life. A father so lovingly and wisely introduced his son to his brothers and world as Benjamin. Son of my right hand. Psalms many times say the Lord is at my right hand. This is a very comforting thought to me. I am right handed so for me to hold God with my right hand means that I can’t use my right hand to do work correctly. My left hand might do the work weakly but my asking my Heavenly Father to help will do the work in His strength, wisdom, and love. What a privilege. So blessed to have such an amazing Father who loves us and calls us His.