And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin.
As Rachel was dying and her life was leaving her, she named her son Benoni. But his father Jacob called him Benjamin instead.
This verse describes Rachel's death during childbirth as she names her newborn son, though Jacob chooses a different name for the boy.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs during Rachel's difficult labor while giving birth to her second son, after she and Jacob were traveling from Bethel toward Ephrath (Bethlehem). Rachel was Jacob's beloved wife, and this was a tragic moment as she died bringing Jacob's twelfth son into the world. The name Benoni means 'son of my sorrow' while Benjamin means 'son of the right hand' or 'son of my strength.'
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