The Benjamite genealogy is loosely connected to the tribal lists of Genesis 46:21, Numbers 26:38–41, and 1 Chronicles 7:6–12. It appears as though 1 Chronicles 8:1–40 relies on the text in Numbers, whereas 1 Chronicles 7:6–12 is more related to the text in Genesis. As previously seen, the genealogy of Benjamin in 1 Chronicles 7:6–12 is based on a military census. The emphasis on the heads of families
(1 Chronicles 8:6, 1 Chronicles 8:10, 1 Chronicles 8:13, 1 Chronicles 8:28) in the Benjaminite record suggests a civil register of some sort, perhaps even tied in with clan territorial allotments. The differing materials (for example, deportation reports, 1 Chronicles 8:6; battle reports, 1 Chronicles 8:13) indicate the Chronicler is using a source that is already a compilation of earlier records.
No two Benjaminite lists are the same, and only Bela is common to all four rolls. Differences are found in names and relationships between 1 Chronicles 8:1–5, 1 Chronicles 7:6–7, Genesis 46:21, and Numbers 26:38–41. It is not always clear whether successive names are brothers, descendants, other relatives, or people who came to be otherwise associated. The grouping of sons
can reflect changes over time in clan affiliations through common dwelling places as well as physical descent (1 Chronicles 1:5–23).
No doubt some of the variation in the lists is due to corruption in textual transmission. In addition, differences may be further accounted for by recognizing that genealogies represent a blend of records from differing historical time periods.1 These inconsistencies in the lists, however, are left unresolved. Irrespective of how relationships arise, diversity is embraced: all belong to Benjamin.2
1 Benjamin fathered Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, Aharah the third,