The tribe of Benjamin occupied the smallest territory of all the tribes. Yet, it played a significant role in Israelite history. Saul, Israel's first king, was a Benjamite. Furthermore, the city of Jerusalem was near the border between the territories of Benjamin and Judah and may have been in Benjamin originally (Joshua 18:16; Judges 1:21 ). Benjamin's appetite for territory may be seen in Jacob's blessing (Genesis 49:27 ). Moses' blessing highlights Benjamin's special place in God's care (Deuteronomy 33:12 ). Late in the period of the judges, Benjamin almost disappeared from history when they mistreated a Levite and his concubine (Judges 19-21 ).

In the New Testament, the apostle Paul proudly proclaimed his heritage in the tribe of Benjamin (Romans 11:1; Philippians 3:5 ). See Tribes of Israel; Patriarchs.