Genesis 46:21
βThe sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard.β
What does Genesis 46:21 mean?
This verse lists the ten sons of Benjamin, Jacob's youngest son, during the time when Jacob's family is preparing to move to Egypt. These names represent the founding families or clans of the tribe of Benjamin, which would later become one of the twelve tribes of Israel with its own distinct identity and territory. The detailed genealogy matters because it shows how God's promise to Abraham about descendants as numerous as the stars was being fulfilled in concrete, real family lines. If you're reading through Genesis and these lists of names feel repetitive, remember they're actually anchoring God's covenant promises in actual people and communities, not just abstract ideas.