Who are Bela, Becher, and Jediael in the tribe of Benjamin?

Bela, Becher, and Jediael are listed as three main sons, or family lines, that come from Benjamin. Each of them became the start of large clans within the tribe. From Bela came several leaders and many fighting men. From Becher came a group of family heads and warriors. From Jediael came Bilhan and his sons, who also led strong groups of soldiers. These three names mark out the main branches that the writer wants the reader to notice in Benjamin’s history.

What does it mean that they were heads of their fathers’ houses and mighty men of valour?

“Heads of their fathers’ houses” means they were the leading men of their extended families. They carried responsibility, made decisions, and spoke for their people. “Mighty men of valour” points to courage and strength, especially in battle. The passage joins these ideas together, showing that leadership was not only about family standing but also about being ready to defend the nation in war. These men were both respected leaders and proven fighters.

Why are the numbers of twenty‑two thousand, twenty thousand, and seventeen thousand given?

The numbers show how many fighting men came from each family line of Benjamin. From Bela’s line there were twenty‑two thousand and thirty‑four. From Becher’s line there were twenty thousand and two hundred. From Jediael’s line there were seventeen thousand and two hundred soldiers, fit for war. These counts highlight that even though Benjamin was not the largest tribe, it still supplied many trained men for battle. The numbers remind readers that families grew into strong military groups over time.

Who are Shuppim, Huppim, and Hushim mentioned at the end of the passage?

Shuppim and Huppim are called the children of Ir, and Hushim is linked with the sons of Aher. These names belong to later descendants connected with Benjamin. In other parts of Scripture, similar names are tied to Benjamin’s clan and also to another tribe. Because of that, some readers think the wording points back to another son of Jacob, while others think they are still part of Benjamin. In any case, the verse wraps up this section by noting related family groups.

Why does this passage focus so much on genealogy and soldiers?

The passage links family lines to the strength of the nation. By tracing who came from whom, it shows how God’s people were ordered into tribes and clans. By counting the fighting men, it shows how each family line supported Israel’s defense and battles. For the first readers, these records guarded their identity and land rights and showed how God had multiplied them. For us, it shows that each family and person had a place and role within God’s people.

Who is Ehud mentioned among the sons of Bilhan, and is he the same as the judge named Ehud?

Ehud appears here as one of the sons of Bilhan from Jediael’s line in Benjamin. There is also a well‑known Ehud who later served as a judge and delivered Israel from an enemy king. Because both are Benjamites, many readers see a link and think this might be the same family. The passage itself does not explain this, but it at least shows that the name Ehud was present in Benjamin’s clan and tied to a group of fighting men.

Why does this verse about Hushim and the sons of Aher seem difficult to understand?

The wording about “Hushim, the sons of Aher” is brief and can be read in more than one way. In other places, Hushim is named as a son of another tribe, so some think “Aher” here might mean “another,” pointing outside Benjamin. Others see Aher as another way of naming a Benjaminite family line, keeping Hushim within Benjamin. The passage does not explain the phrase, so faithful readers accept that there is some uncertainty but still see the main point: related family groups are being recorded.

What does this passage show about the tribe of Benjamin as a whole?

This passage shows Benjamin as a smaller tribe that was still strong and ready for war. It names several family heads and then gives large totals of fighting men from each line. The men are called “mighty men of valour,” which matches earlier words about Benjamin being fierce like a wolf. The tribe later produced a king and stayed loyal to the house of David. Here we see the roots of that picture in its organized families and prepared soldiers.

1Chr.7.6

1 Chronicles 7:6

KJV

¶ The sons of Benjamin; Bela, and Becher, and Jediael, three.

Cross References

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