What did ancient rabbis think the names Ben-Oni and Benjamin represented?
Ancient rabbis studied the two names for centuries and concluded they pictured two messiahs: Ben-Oni represented a suffering messiah, while Benjamin represented a ruling messiah. Many therefore taught that two separate messiahs would come, unable to conceive that both roles would be embodied in the one and only messiah.
Les explains that in Genesis 35:17-18, as Rachel was dying in hard labor, she named the child Ben-Oni, meaning “son of my suffering,” “son of my sorrow,” or “heartbreak,” because she was dying. Jacob then renamed him Ben-Jamin, meaning “son of my right hand,” “son of strength,” or “son of power.” Les teaches that the ancient rabbis took these two names, studied them, and mulled over them for centuries. Some concluded this must be a picture of two messiahs: a suffering messiah, Ben-Oni, and a ruling messiah, Ben-Jamin. Many taught there would be two messiahs because they could not picture both being embodied in the one and only messiah.
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.
More Questions
What does the name Ben-Oni mean in Hebrew?
Ben-Oni in Hebrew means 'the son of my suffering' or 'of my sorrow, my heartbreak.'
Why did some ancient rabbis believe there would be two messiahs?
The ancient rabbis thought there would be two messiahs because they could not picture both roles being embodied in the one and only Messiah.