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Rachel probably conceived Benjamin in the spring of 2265 AM (1739 BC). This was the year in which Jacob fled in secret from [[Laban]]. The Bible says that this took place at sheep-shearing time,<ref name=Ussher>James Ussher, ''The Annals of the World'', Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 2003, pgh. 125</ref> which is always in the springtime.<ref name=Schoenian>Schoenian, Susan. "[http://www.sheep101.info/shearing.html Sheep 101: Shearing]." Sheep 101, November 15, 2006. Accessed November 11, 2008.</ref> ({{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=31|verses=19-20}}) Jones<ref name=Jones>Jones, Floyd N. ''The Chronology of the New Testament''. Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 2004, pp. 64, 66, 68, 278, and Chart 3e</ref> records that the phrase "born to him in Padan-aram" that appears after the listing of Jacob's sons ({{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=35|verses=26}}) can also mean "engendered by him in Padan-aram." Benjamin was born on the road to [[Bethlehem]], and therefore he must have been ''conceived'' in Padan-aram, though he was ''born'' in Canaan.

Rachel probably conceived Benjamin in the spring of 2265 AM (1739 BC). This was the year in which Jacob fled in secret from [[Laban]]. The Bible says that this took place at sheep-shearing time,<ref name=Ussher>James Ussher, ''The Annals of the World'', Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 2003, pgh. 125</ref> which is always in the springtime.<ref name=Schoenian>Schoenian, Susan. "[http://www.sheep101.info/shearing.html Sheep 101: Shearing]." Sheep 101, November 15, 2006. Accessed November 11, 2008.</ref> ({{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=31|verses=19-20}}) Jones<ref name=Jones>Jones, Floyd N. ''The Chronology of the New Testament''. Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 2004, pp. 64, 66, 68, 278, and Chart 3e</ref> records that the phrase "born to him in Padan-aram" that appears after the listing of Jacob's sons ({{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=35|verses=26}}) can also mean "engendered by him in Padan-aram." Benjamin was born on the road to [[Bethlehem]], and therefore he must have been ''conceived'' in Padan-aram, though he was ''born'' in Canaan.

Ussher<ref name=Ussher2>Ussher, ''op. cit.'', pgh. 124</ref> disputes the notion that Benjamin may be counted among the sons born or engendered in Padan-aram. He suggests that the Apostles were also numbered twelve, though Judas Iscariot was dead by that time, ({{Bible ref|book=John|chap=20|verses=24}}) and cites [[Saint Augustine]] to support him. However, the text of {{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=35|verses=9-15}} is a narrative that begins with a recapitulation of an earlier incident: the second appearance of [[God]] to [[Jacob]] and the renaming of Jacob to [[Israel]]. ({{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=32|verses=24-30}}) The story of the birth of Benjamin and the death of Rachel follows this narrative directly and is continuous with it. Therefore Benjamin must have been conceived shortly before the flight from Laban and born nine months later.

Ussher<ref name=Ussher2>Ussher, ''op. cit.'', pgh. 124</ref> disputes the notion that Benjamin may be counted among the sons born or engendered in Padan-aram. He suggests that the Apostles were also numbered twelve, though Judas Iscariot was dead by that time, ({{Bible ref|book=John|chap=20|verses=24}}) and cites [[Saint Augustine]] to support him. However, the text of {{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=35|verses=9-15}} is a narrative that begins with a recapitulation of an earlier incident: the second appearance of [[God]] to [[Jacob]] and the renaming of Jacob to [[Israel]]. ({{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=32|verses=24-30}}) The story of the birth of Benjamin and the death of Rachel follows this narrative directly and is continuous with it. Therefore, Benjamin must have been conceived shortly before the flight from Laban and born nine months later.

In any case, Benjamin cannot have been conceived ''earlier'' than the springtime. His mother stole some household idols ([[Hebrew]] ''teraphim'') from Laban, hid them in her saddle bag, and sat on them. When Laban came to search her tent, Rachel asked him to excuse her for not rising, because she was menstruating. In point of fact, that was a lie. But had she been obviously pregnant, she would not have been able to lie convincingly.

In any case, Benjamin cannot have been conceived ''earlier'' than the springtime. His mother stole some household idols ([[Hebrew]] ''teraphim'') from Laban, hid them in her saddle bag, and sat on them. When Laban came to search her tent, Rachel asked him to excuse her for not rising, because she was menstruating. In point of fact, that was a lie. But had she been obviously pregnant, she would not have been able to lie convincingly.

== Benjamin in fiction ==

== Benjamin in fiction ==

Benjamin has appeared in multiple dramatizations of the story of Joseph and his brothers, in [[motion picture]]s (including an animated project) and on [[television]]. But all of those stories are flawed in one fashion or another. The usual flaw is the implication that Benjamin was still a boy when he came to Egypt, and even too young for Joseph to have known. Yet the Bible clearly says that he was by then married and had a very large family of his own. Furthermore the Bible says that Rachel died before Joseph was sold into slavery, not afterward, so that Joseph must have known Benjamin before he ever set foot in Egypt.

Benjamin has appeared in multiple dramatizations of the story of Joseph and his brothers, in [[motion picture]]s (including an animated project) and on [[television]]. But all of those stories are flawed in one fashion or another. The usual flaw is the implication that Benjamin was still a boy when he came to Egypt, and even too young for Joseph to have known. Yet the Bible clearly says that he was by then married and had a very large family of his own. Furthermore, the Bible says that Rachel died before Joseph was sold into slavery, not afterward, so that Joseph must have known Benjamin before he ever set foot in Egypt.

==References==

==References==