Tribe of Benjamin – one of the 12 Tribes of Israel, descendants of Benjamin according to the Bible. In the light of a document discovered in Mari, they are considered to be the actual tribe of Benjamin which, following their escape from Egypt, was allocated the part of Palestine located on the west bank of the river Jordan (between the lands of the Tribe of Ephraim and the Tribe of Judah), with Jericho, Betel, Ofra, Rama, Mizpah and Jerusalem, where they lived until the fall of Judah. They were known for their courage, which is reflected in the blessing of Jacob (Genesis 49,27); despite being the smallest of all tribes, they played a vital role in the history of Israel, especially during the reign of Saul, who descended from the Tribe of Benjamin. After the state was split into two parts (10th century B.C.), the Tribe of Benjamin remained part of the Kingdom of Judah. They were exiled from Palestine and have returned following the period of Babylonian Captivity. Judge Ehud, the prophet Jeremiah and Paul the Apostle all descended from the Tribe of Benjamin. The Apocalypse of John mentions the descendants of the Tribe of Benjamin among those who will be granted salvation.

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