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

GENESIS 46:21KJV
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Genesis 46:21 (KJV)

What does Genesis 46:21 mean?

Genesis 46:21 lists the names of the sons of Benjamin, one of Jacob’s twelve sons, as the family of Jacob is being counted before moving to Egypt. The verse provides a record of Benjamin’s descendants, naming Belah, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard.

In the story, Jacob and his family are preparing to settle in Egypt during a time of famine, and this verse is part of a larger genealogy that tracks the members of Jacob’s household. The list of Benjamin’s sons highlights the growth of Jacob’s family and the specific lineage that would later become the tribe of Benjamin among the people of Israel.

Why Genesis 46:21 matters

  • This verse helps clarify the specific descendants of Benjamin, which is important for understanding later references to the tribe of Benjamin in Israel’s history.
  • By listing these names, the verse emphasizes the completeness and detail of the family record as Jacob’s household moves to Egypt, setting the stage for the nation’s future growth.
  • The genealogy in this passage connects the story of the patriarchs to the later development of the twelve tribes, showing how each family line began.

Where else these words appear

“Ard” Hebrew H714 · used in 2 verses

  • Numbers 26:40 And the sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard, the family of the Ardites: and of Naaman, the family of the Naamites.

“Ashbel” Hebrew H788 · used in 3 verses

  • Numbers 26:38 The sons of Benjamin after their families: of Bela, the family of the Belaites: of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites: of Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites:
  • 1 Chronicles 8:1 Now Benjamin begat Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, and Aharah the third,

“Huppim” Hebrew H2650 · used in 3 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 7:12 Shuppim also, and Huppim, the children of Ir, and Hushim, the sons of Aher.
  • 1 Chronicles 7:15 And Machir took to wife the sister of Huppim and Shuppim, whose sister's name was Maachah;) and the name of the second was Zelophehad: and Zelophehad had daughters.

“Becher” Hebrew H1071 · used in 4 verses

  • Numbers 26:35 These are the sons of Ephraim after their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthalhites: of Becher, the family of the Bachrites: of Tahan, the family of the Tahanites.
  • 1 Chronicles 7:6 The sons of Benjamin; Bela, and Becher, and Jediael, three.
  • 1 Chronicles 7:8 And the sons of Becher; Zemira, and Joash, and Eliezer, and Elioenai, and Omri, and Jerimoth, and Abiah, and Anathoth, and Alameth. All these are the sons of Becher.