Genesis 35:18

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 35:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And it came to pass, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she called his name Ben-oni: but his father called him Benjamin.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And it came to pass, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she called his name Ben-oni: but his father called him Benjamin.
Genesis 35:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 35

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18And it came to pass, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she called his name Ben-oni: but his father called him Benjamin.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, for she died, etc.] In childbirth; she had most passionately desired children, without which she could not live with ease and peace of mind, and now she dies by having one; (see <013001>Genesis 30:1); and by this account of her death it appears, that death is the separation and disunion of soul and body; that at death the soul departs from the body; that the soul does not die with it, but goes elsewhere, and lives in a separate state, and never dies; it goes into another world, a world of spirits, even unto God that gave it, (<211207>Ecclesiastes 12:7): that she called his name Benoni; which signifies “the son of my sorrow”, having borne and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“She called his name Ben-oni--The dying mother gave this name to her child, significant of her circumstances; but Jacob changed his name into Benjamin. This is thought by some to have been originally Benjamin, "a son of days," that is, of old age. But with its present ending it means "son of the right hand," that is, particularly dear and precious.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“- The Death of Isaac 8. דברה deborâh, Deborah, “bee.” בּכוּת אלּון 'alôn-bākût, Allon-bakuth, “oak of weeping.” 16. כברה kı̂brâh, “length stretch.” A certain but unknown distance, a stadium or furlong (Josephus) a hippodrome (Septuagint) which was somewhat longer, a mile (Kimchi). אפרת 'ephrâth, Ephrath, “fruitful or ashy.” 18. בן־אוני ben-'ônı̂y, Ben-oni, “son of my pain.” בנימין bı̂nyāmı̂yn, Binjamin, “son of the right hand.” 19. לחם בית bēyt-lechem, Beth-lechem, “house of bread.” 21. עדר ‛ěder, ‘Eder, “flock, fold.” This chapter contains the return of Jacob to his father’s house, and then appends the death of Isaac. Genesis 35:1-8 Jacob returns to Bethel. “And God said unto…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“35:18 Rachel found the name son of my sorrow appropriate to the situation, but Jacob did not want such a sad name for his son, so he changed it to son of my right hand. Jacob thus turned the day of sorrow into a day of hope that gave his son the prospect of success.”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification