Bible Dictionary
Benoni
The name Rachel gave Benjamin at his birth, meaning “son of my sorrow.” Jacob changed it to Benjamin, “son of my right hand.”
Definition
Benoni means “son of my sorrow.” Rachel gave this name to Benjamin at his birth, but Jacob changed it to Benjamin, meaning “son of my right hand.”
Biblical Usage
Benoni appears in the birth account of Benjamin and explains the change of his name by Jacob.
Historical Background
The name reflects Rachel’s condition as she died in childbirth, while Jacob’s replacement name expressed a different significance for the child.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(son of my sorrow). (Genesis 35:18) [Benjamin, Benjamin, The Tribe Of]