Rachel named him Ben-Oni because she was dying in childbirth, but Jacob renamed him Benjamin, changing the meaning from sorrow to strength.
The Bible records that Rachel, in her final moments, named her son Ben-Oni, meaning 'son of my sorrow' (Genesis 35:18). Jacob, however, called him Benjamin, meaning 'son of the right hand,' signifying strength and honor. Les Feldick explains that this contrast reflects two aspects of the Messiah—suffering and ruling—which the rabbis saw as possibly two different Messiahs.
Genesis 35:18 — This verse explicitly records Rachel's naming of her son Ben-Oni and Jacob's renaming him Benjamin, directly answering the question.
In Genesis 35:16-19, we read that Rachel went into hard labor while traveling, and the midwife told her, 'Fear not; thou shalt have this son also.' As her life was departing, Rachel named her son Ben-Oni, which means 'son of my sorrow.' However, his father Jacob immediately renamed him Benjamin, meaning 'son of the right hand.' This act changed the focus from the mother's suffering to the child's position of strength.
Les Feldick connects the two names to the concept of two Messiahs that some rabbis held. He explains that Ben-Oni, 'son of my sorrow,' represents the suffering aspect of the Messiah, while Benjamin, 'son of the right hand,' represents the ruling, powerful aspect. Les points out that the rabbis could not reconcile these two aspects in one person, so they imagined two separate Messiahs—one who would suffer and another who would reign. Les indicates that these two aspects are fulfilled in the one Messiah: His first coming in suffering and His second coming in power.
Les Feldick teaches that some ancient rabbis believed there would be two Messiahs: one who would suffer and die, and another who would rule as King. This belief arose from the inability to understand how one person could fulfill both the suffering servant role and the reigning king role. Les uses the contrast between Ben-Oni ('son of my sorrow') and Benjamin ('son of the right hand') to illustrate these two aspects. He explains that Jesus fulfilled the suffering role at His first coming, and He will fulfill the ruling role at His second coming.
Les Feldick notes that the Apostle Paul was from the tribe of Benjamin (Romans 11:1, Philippians 3:5). He uses this to point out that God has not cast away Israel, and that Paul's Jewish identity was central to his ministry. The tribe of Benjamin holds a special place in Israel's history, being one of the twelve tribes, and Paul's ancestry shows God's continued work among His chosen people.
Paul of the Tribe of Benjamin
Les points out that Paul was from the tribe of Benjamin, showing God's continued connection to Israel.
From Deceiver to Prince: Jacob’s Struggle and God’s Unconditional Promise (Genesis 28-32)
That gives us 6, 8, 10, and then finally Rachel has Joseph, and then of course as I mentioned in the last half hour, 10 years after they're back in the land of Canaan, Rachel gives birth to Benjamin, which makes the 12, but she dies in childbirth.
The Birthright Explained: Why God Chose Jacob Over Esau
And so the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy being, and the one people shall be stronger than the other, and the elder, who of course will be Esau, shall serve the younger, who will be Jacob. Now God said that before they were ever born.
Jacob & Esau: The Sovereignty of God in the Birthright & Blessing | Genesis 25-27
Anyway, so Isaac entreated the Lord in verse 21 on behalf of Rebekah, and then in verse 22 we see that there are twins in the womb, and they struggle, even in the womb. Now this is kind of amazing, that the two personalities are already showing their metal before they're even born, and she said, that is Rebekah did, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to inquire of the LORD.
Jacob Becomes Israel — What Romans 9 Says About True Faith
Here's Jacob's true salvation. Here is where Jacob experiences what today we call the new birth, and so consequently since he is now a new man in God, in Christ, even back there, God gives him also a new name. And so he's no longer to be called Jacob the deceiver, which was the natural, but now he's to be called Israel the prince with God.
Jacob & Esau: The Sovereignty of God in the Birthright & Blessing | Genesis 25-27
Now, I think I pointed it out in our last program, but time flies by and we're prone to forget the birthright, you remember, was the spiritual side of the family position. The eldest son was more or less the priest of the family, if I may use that word. He was the spiritual leader. But with regard to this little family coming out of Abraham now, it's more than just being the family priest.
Two Messiahs Concept
Les explains that some rabbis thought there would be two Messiahs—one to suffer and one to reign—illustrating the contrast between Ben-Oni and Benjamin.
The Birthright Explained: Why God Chose Jacob Over Esau
He takes Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian, and years go by, and the first thing you know, Rebekah conceives, and she's with child in verse 22, they're twins. And the children struggled together within her, and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to inquire of the Lord, and the Lord answered, Now mark this down, because I know that when we go on in our study, and w…
Genesis 35:18: 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.
This verse directly records the naming events, showing the contrast between Rachel's sorrow and Jacob's renaming.
Romans 11:1: I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
Paul identifies himself as from the tribe of Benjamin, connecting to the significance of this tribe in Israel's history.
Ben-Oni means 'son of my sorrow' or 'son of my affliction.' Rachel gave this name to her son as she was dying in childbirth, expressing her pain and sorrow.
Benjamin means 'son of the right hand,' symbolizing strength, power, and honor. Jacob renamed the child to reflect this positive aspect.
The Bible does not explicitly state why Jacob changed the name, but it likely reflected his desire to give the child a more hopeful and honorable name, emphasizing strength rather than sorrow.
Watch the Teaching: Has God Cast Away Israel? Romans 11:1-2 Finally Explained