Genesis 46:21 kjv

And the sons of Benjamin were Belah, and Becher, and Ashbel, Gera, and Naaman, Ehi, and Rosh, Muppim, and Huppim, and Ard.

Genesis 46:21 nkjv

The sons of Benjamin were Belah, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard.

Genesis 46:21 niv

The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Beker, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim and Ard.

Genesis 46:21 esv

And the sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard.

Genesis 46:21 nlt

Benjamin's sons were Bela, Beker, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard.

Genesis 46 verses

Genesis 46 21 Meaning

Genesis 46:21 provides a specific enumeration of the direct descendants or immediate heads of families belonging to Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, who journeyed into Egypt with his family. This list serves as a foundational record of the progenitors of one of the twelve tribes of Israel, highlighting the meticulous care in documenting the lineage that would form God's covenant people. It underscores the expansion and formalization of Jacob's household into a distinct nation, fulfilling God's promise of numerous descendants.

Genesis 46 21 Context

Genesis chapter 46 recounts Jacob's journey to Egypt to reunite with his son Joseph. The journey is not merely a family reunion but a pivotal moment in salvation history, representing God's active guidance of Jacob's household towards becoming a numerous nation as promised to Abraham. This chapter meticulously lists every person who went down to Egypt with Jacob, emphasizing the formation of Israel as a distinct people. Verse 21, specifically enumerating Benjamin's sons, is part of this comprehensive census, demonstrating the growing fulfillment of God's covenantal promises concerning multiplication of Abraham's descendants. This careful detailing highlights the historical reality and divine oversight in the foundation of the Israelite nation before their significant growth during their sojourn in Egypt.

Genesis 46 21 Word analysis

• The sons of: (בְּנֵי - b'nei) This term often denotes direct offspring but can also refer to grandsons or the founding heads of clans or prominent descendants within a tribal lineage. In the context of ancient genealogies, "sons" often functions as progenitors of tribal divisions, whether they were immediate sons or, in some cases, important grandsons whose lines were prominent enough to be counted alongside direct sons for the purpose of forming the twelve tribes.
• Benjamin: (בִּנְיָמִן - Binyamin) The twelfth and youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, born in Canaan on the journey to Bethlehem (Gen 35:16-18). His name, originally Ben-oni ("son of my sorrow") by Rachel, was changed by Jacob to Benjamin ("son of the right hand" or "son of strength"). He is unique as the only son of Jacob born in the promised land, although technically his mother died during his birth outside of Isaac's dwelling place. The tribe of Benjamin would later become known for its skilled archers and slingers, and for providing Israel's first king, Saul, and the Apostle Paul.
• Bela: (בֶּלַע - Bela) The first listed son. He is mentioned again in the genealogies of Numbers 26:38-41 and 1 Chronicles 7:6-7, indicating his significance in founding one of Benjamin's major clans, the Belaites.
• Becher: (בֶּכֶר - Becher) Also listed in 1 Chronicles 7:6-9, a major son. The name could relate to "firstborn," though Bela is listed first.
• Ashbel: (אַשְׁבֵּל - Ashbel) Appears consistently as a son of Benjamin.
• Gera: (גֵּרָא - Gera) Interestingly, 1 Chronicles 8:3 lists a Gera as a son of Ehud, from the lineage of Benjamin, perhaps a descendant rather than a direct son in Gen 46. This highlights the flexibility and differing purposes of biblical genealogies; Gera here likely represents a prominent founding family.
• Naaman: (נַעֲמָן - Na'aman) Also appears in Numbers 26:40 as a son of Benjamin (or rather, from the line of Benjamin, associated with Bela). There might be connections to other biblical figures named Naaman, though here he is a son of Benjamin.
• Ehi: (אֶחִי - Ehi) Some biblical texts like 1 Chronicles 8:1 list 'Aharah' or 'Ahiram' (Num 26:38). Ehi might be a variant or short form of another name, reflecting different transmission or perhaps identifying the same person by another title.
• Rosh: (רֹאשׁ - Rosh) This name is often noted for not appearing in other comprehensive genealogies of Benjamin like Numbers 26 or 1 Chronicles 7. This could suggest he died childless or that his lineage did not develop into a significant clan by later periods.
• Muppim: (מוּפִים - Muppim) Identified as "Shephupham" in Numbers 26:39 and "Shuppim" in 1 Chronicles 7:12 and "Shuppim" in 1 Chronicles 8:5. These variations reflect phonetic differences or alternative spellings for the same individual, representing a key clan.
• Huppim: (חֻפִּים - Huppim) Also appears as "Hupham" in Numbers 26:39. Similar to Muppim, this indicates variations in naming traditions for the same tribal ancestor.
• And Ard: (וְאַרְד - v'Ard) Numbers 26:40 lists Ard as a son of Bela, indicating he may have been Benjamin's grandson, but counted here among the 'sons' for the purpose of the initial group descending into Egypt and establishing key familial lines.
• Words-group: The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard.
  • This list presents the progenitors of the tribal families of Benjamin at the time of the descent into Egypt.
  • The discrepancies between this list and those in Numbers 26 and 1 Chronicles 7 are common in biblical genealogies and highlight their varied purposes: Gen 46 records those entering Egypt; Numbers 26 counts the tribal clans for military/censal purposes post-exodus; 1 Chronicles focuses on Levitical or royal lines or a later stage of tribal organization.
  • Some names here may be actual sons, others grandsons (like Ard), or adopted sons, or prominent initial heads of family clans that formed the basis for the tribe, consistent with ancient genealogical practices.
  • The inclusion of this list emphasizes God's faithfulness in beginning the numerical fulfillment of His covenant promise to Abraham, Jacob, and Isaac, laying the ground for Israel's growth into a great nation.

Genesis 46 21 Bonus section

The variations in Benjamin's sons lists across different biblical books (Genesis 46:21, Numbers 26:38-41, and 1 Chronicles 7:6-12; 8:1-5) are often subjects of study in biblical genealogies. These differences are generally explained by several factors:

• Purpose of the list: Genesis 46 records those who entered Egypt with Jacob. Numbers 26 lists the families/clans after the Exodus for a military census. 1 Chronicles aims to show specific family lines, sometimes focusing on royal, priestly, or administrative descent, potentially combining actual sons with prominent grandsons or great-grandsons as foundational heads.
• 'Sons' vs. 'Heads of Families/Clans': The Hebrew word ben ('son') can extend to descendants, grandsons, or heads of familial clans. Therefore, some individuals listed might be grandsons or clan founders rather than direct sons. For example, Ard is listed as a 'son' in Genesis 46:21, but in Numbers 26:40, he is a son of Bela, making him Benjamin's grandson.
• Name Variations/Synonyms: Ancient Hebrew names sometimes had variations or multiple forms, or individuals might have been known by different names over time. 'Ehi' for instance, corresponds to 'Ahiram' in Numbers 26 and 'Aharah' in 1 Chronicles 8. 'Muppim' and 'Huppim' likewise appear with phonetic variations in other lists (e.g., Shephupham, Hupham, Shuppim).
• Exclusion of lineages that did not proliferate: Some individuals listed in one genealogy may have died without heirs or their line diminished, leading to their exclusion from later, more prominent lists. This could explain why Rosh is absent from later lists.

These apparent discrepancies highlight the dynamic and organic nature of biblical genealogies, which were practical tools serving specific narrative or historical purposes rather than strictly biological "birth certificates" as understood today. They attest to the detailed record-keeping by the Israelites as a foundational element of their identity as God's chosen people, ensuring the faithful unfolding of His redemptive plan.

Genesis 46 21 Commentary

Genesis 46:21 offers a vital snapshot of Benjamin's immediate household at a foundational moment for the nascent nation of Israel. This precise genealogical listing, though seemingly simple, serves multiple crucial purposes within the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it evidences the meticulous fulfillment of God's promise to make Abraham's descendants into a multitude. Each listed name represents a burgeoning family unit contributing to the seventy souls who entered Egypt, destined to multiply greatly. Secondly, these names lay the groundwork for the future tribal divisions and territories, establishing the original core of the tribe of Benjamin. The variations observed in subsequent biblical genealogies (Numbers 26, 1 Chronicles 7) are not contradictions but rather reflect different chronological snapshots, purposes (e.g., initial migration vs. settled clans, or even variations in how descendants were categorized in lists), or perhaps reflect differing prominent family lines or sons who founded significant clans. This verse reinforces the historical and redemptive narrative, showing divine oversight even in the most minute details of family lineage, ensuring the promised people of God are formed and prepared for their ultimate purpose in God's plan.