Son of Benjamin, head of the Belaite clan
Bela
Named in 7 verses across 3 books, first in Genesis 46:21.
בֶּ֫לַעBela
בַּלְעִיBelaite
Also called Belaite.
- Father
- Benjamin
- People
- Tribe of Benjamin
About Bela Written by AI
Bela is mentioned in several passages (Genesis 46:21; Numbers 26:38; 1 Chronicles 7:6) as one of the sons of Benjamin, the youngest son of Israel (or 'Jacob'). He is consistently listed as the first among Benjamin's sons, suggesting his prominence within the family. In the census of the Israelites in the wilderness (Numbers 26), Bela is named as the head of the Belaite clan, one of the clans within the tribe of Benjamin. The descendants of Bela are also mentioned in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles, highlighting the continuity of his lineage. The repeated mention of Bela in these various contexts emphasizes his importance as a progenitor of the Benjamite tribe and the role of his clan in the history of Israel.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
This entry is on the name Bela, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.
A thing swallowed. (1.) A city on the shore of the Dead Sea, not far from Sodom, called also Zoar. It was the only one of the five cities that was spared at Lot’s intercession (Gen. 19:20,23). It is first mentioned in Gen. 14:2,8.
(2.) The eldest son of Benjamin (Num. 26:38; “Belah,” Gen. 46:21).
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(3.) The son of Beor, and a king of Edom (Gen. 36:32, 33; 1 Chr. 1:43).
(4.) A son of Azaz (1 Chr. 5:8).
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
Where the Bible names him
- Genesis 46:21
The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard.
- Numbers 26:38
These were the descendants of Benjamin by their clans: The Belaite clan from Bela, the Ashbelite clan from Ashbel, the Ahiramite clan from Ahiram,
- Numbers 26:40
And the descendants of Bela from Ard and Naaman were the Ardite clan from Ard and the Naamite clan from Naaman.
- 1 Chronicles 7:6
The three sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, and Jediael.
- 1 Chronicles 7:7
The sons of Bela: Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri, heads of their families—five in all. There were 22,034 mighty men of valor listed in their genealogies.
- 1 Chronicles 8:1
Benjamin was the father of Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, Aharah the third,
- 1 Chronicles 8:3
The sons of Bela: Addar, Gera, Abihud,
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.