Topical Encyclopedia
The Tribe of Benjamin, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, holds a significant place in biblical history. Known for its valor and strategic importance, the tribe is often mentioned in various contexts throughout the Scriptures. One notable instance involving the Tribe of Benjamin is the selection of a representative to spy out the Promised Land.
In the Book of Numbers, God commands Moses to send men to explore the land of Canaan, which He is giving to the Israelites. Each of the twelve tribes is to provide one man for this reconnaissance mission. From the Tribe of Benjamin, the chosen representative is Palti, the son of Raphu. This selection is recorded in
Numbers 13:9: "from the tribe of Benjamin, Palti son of Raphu."
The mission of these spies is to assess the land's fertility, the strength of its inhabitants, and the fortifications of its cities. The task is crucial, as it will inform the Israelites' strategy for entering and conquering the land promised to them by God. The spies are instructed to bring back samples of the land's produce, demonstrating its richness and potential for supporting the nation of Israel.
Upon their return, the spies present their report to Moses, Aaron, and the entire assembly of Israel. While they confirm the land's abundance, ten of the spies, including Palti, express fear and doubt about the Israelites' ability to conquer the land due to the formidable inhabitants and fortified cities. This report is detailed in
Numbers 13:31-33: "But the men who had gone up with him said, 'We cannot go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are.' So they gave the Israelites a bad report about the land they had spied out, saying, 'The land we explored devours its inhabitants, and all the people we saw there are great in stature. We even saw the Nephilim there—the descendants of Anak that come from the Nephilim. We seemed like grasshoppers in our own sight, and we must have seemed the same to them.'"
The negative report leads to widespread fear and rebellion among the Israelites, resulting in God's judgment that the current generation would not enter the Promised Land, except for Caleb and Joshua, who had faith in God's promise. This episode highlights the critical role of the Tribe of Benjamin's representative in the broader narrative of Israel's journey to the Promised Land and serves as a reminder of the importance of faith and trust in God's promises.
The Tribe of Benjamin, through its representative Palti, is thus intricately linked to this pivotal moment in Israelite history, illustrating the tribe's involvement in the collective experiences and challenges faced by the nation of Israel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Numbers 13:9Of the tribe of Benjamin, Palti the son of Raphu.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Resources
Who was Benjamin in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from the tribe of Benjamin? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from the story of the Levite and his concubine? | GotQuestions.orgBenjamin: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
