Changes

Rachel probably conceived Benjamin, her second son, 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 Old 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 Rachel must have ''conceived'' him in Padan-aram, though she ''bore'' him in Canaan.

Rachel probably conceived Benjamin, her second son, 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 Old 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 Rachel must have ''conceived'' him in Padan-aram, though she ''bore'' him 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, Rachel cannot have conceived Benjamin ''earlier'' than the springtime. If she had, then she would not have been able to employ a ruse to stop her father from searching her belongings too closely (see below).

In any case, Rachel cannot have conceived Benjamin ''earlier'' than the springtime. If she had, then she would not have been able to employ a ruse to stop her father from searching her belongings too closely (see below).