In Genesis 49 Jacob blessed his 12 sons. In a similar way, in Deuteronomy 33, at the end of his life, Moses blesses the 12 tribes.
Jacob was preparing his sons to endure the exile in Egypt and their eventual redemption.
The blessings given by Moses to each tribe are a combination of blessing, encouragement, and prophecy for the near and distant future. [Rabbi Steinsaltz]
Moses Blesses Benjamin
In this article I will be looking at the blessing Moses gave to the tribe of Benjamin.
12. Of Benjamin he said: May the beloved of the Lord dwell securely with Him, He hovers over him all the day and dwells between his shoulders.
Commentators also mention Jacob’s blessing of Benjamin. For ease of reference, here is that verse:
27. Benjamin shall tear [as] a wolf; in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the booty.
Let’s start by looking more closely at Deuteronomy 33:12.
Deuteronomy 33:12 Explained
Moses is speaking about the relationship between God and the tribe of Benjamin.
beloved of the Lord – The city of Jerusalem is in the portion of Judah but the Temple is in the portion of Benjamin. [Malbim]
The Sages explained that Jacob’s intention in Genesis 49:27 was that the Outer Altar should be in Benjamin’s portion of the Land of Israel.
dwell securely – Baal HaTurim links this to Jacob’s blessing in Genesis 49:27. After Benjamin “tears” the nations, then he will dwell securely.
He hovers over him – God covers Benjamin and protects him. [Rashi]
all the day – Forever. Since the destruction of Jerusalem, God’s presence has not dwelled in any other place. [Rashi]
dwells between his shoulders – a little lower than the highest place. [Rashi]
The verse says “shoulders” and not “head.” This indicates that the Temple should not be at the highest point but slightly lower.
Rabbi Steinsaltz points out that the Mount of Olives, Mount Scopus, and Mount Zion are all higher than the Temple Mount.
Benjamin and the Temple
The overall message of our verse is a blessing that the Temple in Jerusalem should be built in Benjamin’s portion of the Land of Israel.
The Gemara expresses the idea this way:
When Rav Dimi came [from the Land of Israel], he said in the name of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi: The Divine Presence rested on Israel in three places: in Shiloh, in Nob and Gibeon*, and in the Eternal House; and in all of these it rested [on Israel] only in the portion of Benjamin, for it is said, “He covers him all day” [Deuteronomy 33:12]: all ‘coverings’ will be nought elsewhere but in Benjamin’s portion.
* It’s true that Nob and Gibeon are two separate places. For our purposes it’s not important why they are lumped together in this Gemara.
Ramban, based on the Gemara, writes that this verse uses 3 words that hint to God’s Presence: dwell, hovers, and dwells. In turn, these hints correspond to the three Temples in chronological order:
- 1st Temple: dwell securely with Him
- 2nd Temple: hovers over him all the day
- 3rd Temple: dwells between his shoulders; this will be in the time of Messiah
The Vilna Gaon in Aderet Eliyahu understands slightly different historical hints in the verse:
- beloved of the Lord – Israel in the wilderness
- hovers over him – Shiloh, Nob, and Gibeon
- dwells between his shoulders – 1st and 2nd Temples
- dwell securely with Him – 3rd Temple
The Vilna Goan, unlike Ramban, does not view the phrases in chronological order.
Why did the Tribe of Benjamin deserve this honor?
Benjamin’s Merits
Chizkuni (and other commentators) writes that all of the brothers except for Benjamin participated in the sale of Joseph. Also, only Benjamin was born in the Land of Israel. Hence the tribe of Benjamin merited that the Temple should be built in their portion.
Malbim adds an additional point about the sale of Joseph.
He writes that Benjamin is called “the beloved of the Lord” because all of his brothers were involved in the sale of Joseph.
Even Joseph himself played a role in causing the sale. He was with his brothers tending the flocks and “brought to his father their evil report” (Genesis 37:2).
So we see that Benjamin is the only one of Jacob’s sons who is completely untainted by the sale of Joseph. Therefore he is called “beloved of the Lord” and merited that God’s Presence should dwell in his portion.
Malbim’s Alternate Approach
Malbim suggests an alternate way to understand Deuteronomy 33:12 that has nothing to do with the Temple and Benjamin’s portion in the Land.
I will first explain the background material that is needed to appreciate Malbim’s alternative.
Jacob’s Blessing – King Saul
Malbim starts with the blessing that Jacob gave to Benjamin:
27. Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the booty.
The phrase “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf … he shall devour the prey” is a reference to the kingship of Saul (who was from the Tribe of Benjamin).
This phrase refers to “morning,” that is, the beginning of Saul’s reign. We can see its fulfillment here:
47. So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the Ammonites, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines; and wherever he turned himself, he did them mischief.
During his reign there was the division of “the booty.” He enriched the Jewish people as we learn in David’s lamentation for Saul:
24. You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who would place ornaments of gold upon your apparel.
Moses Blesses to Protect Benjamin
Malbim further explains that Moses saw that the kingship would pass from Saul to the House of David.
Moses wanted to bless them so that there would be peace between the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.
But Moses couldn’t begin this blessing of peace with David, because at the beginning there was war between these two tribes.
1. And there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David; but David became stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul became weaker and weaker.
Rather, Moses prayed that during the life of King Solomon there should be peace between the two tribes.
Beloved of the Lord – King Solomon
Who is “the beloved of the Lord” in Deuteronomy 33:12? Malbim explains that this is a reference to King Solomon. We see Solomon called “beloved” in the announcement of his birth.
24. And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in to her, and lay with her; and she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon; and the Lord loved him.
25. And He sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet and called his name Jedidiah, because of the Lord.
The name “Jedidiah” is a combination of two Hebrew words: “beloved” and one of God’s names. It can be translated as “beloved of God.” In our verse, “beloved of the Lord” is two separate Hebrew words.
Understanding Benjamin’s Blessing
Based on these introductory words, we can now have this understanding of Benjamin’s blessing.
Of Benjamin he said – About Benjamin Moses prayed to God, that the beloved of the Lord, that is Solomon, that he may “dwell securely with him.”
he hovers over him – may Solomon hover over Benjamin with love.
dwells between his shoulders – Solomon’s palace was in Benjamin’s portion of the Land. And even after the kingdom split, Judah and Benjamin remained together.
all the day – hints at the enduring partnership between Judah and Benjamin so long as the First Temple stood.