Bela בֶּ֫לַע
Son of Benjamin, head of the Belaite clan
Who is Bela in the Bible?
Bela was a son of Benjamin and the founder of the Belaite clan within the tribe of Benjamin, consistently listed as the firstborn among Benjamin's sons in biblical genealogies (Genesis 46:21, Numbers 26:38-40, 1 Chronicles 7:6-7, 8:1-3). He appears prominently in the wilderness census recorded in Numbers 26, where he is identified as the head of his clan, indicating his significant status within the Benjamite tribe. His lineage is traced through multiple genealogical records in Chronicles, demonstrating the lasting importance of his descendants in Israel's tribal structure. Bela's repeated mention across these various biblical accounts underscores his role as a key progenitor of the tribe of Benjamin and his clan's continued prominence throughout Israel's history.
Biography
Bela is mentioned in several passages (Gen.46.21; Num.26.38, 40; 1Ch.7.6, 7; 8.1, 3) 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.
Family
Parents
Siblings
- Becher Tribe of BenjaminSon of BenjaminSon of Benjamin, listed among those who entered Egypt.View full profile →
- Ashbel Tribe of BenjaminSon of BenjaminSon of Benjamin, founder of the Ashbelite clanView full profile →
- Gera Tribe of BenjaminSon of BelaSon of Bela, grandson of Benjamin.View full profile →
- Naaman Tribe of BenjaminSon of EhudA descendant of Benjamin, son of Ehud.View full profile →
- Rosh Tribe of BenjaminSon of BenjaminSon of Benjamin, grandson of JacobView full profile →
- Muppim Tribe of BenjaminSon of BenjaminA son of Benjamin.View full profile →
- Huppim Tribe of Benjamin(?)Son of IrA descendant of Manasseh.View full profile →
- Ard Tribe of BenjaminSon of BenjaminSon of Benjamin, brother of BelaView full profile →
- Ahiram Tribe of BenjaminSon of BenjaminSon of Benjamin, founder of the Ahiramite clanView full profile →
- Jediael Tribe of BenjaminBenjamin leaderSon of Benjamin, head of a clanView full profile →
Offspring
- Ard Tribe of BenjaminSon of BelaGrandson of Benjamin, son of BelaView full profile →
- Naaman Tribe of BenjaminSon of EhudA descendant of Benjamin, son of Ehud.View full profile →
- Ezbon Tribe of BenjaminBenjamin warriorSon of Bela, grandson of Benjamin.View full profile →
- Uzzi Tribe of LeviHigh PriestHigh priest in the line of EleazarView full profile →
- Uzziel Tribe of LeviSon of HemanLevite musician in the time of DavidView full profile →
- Jerimoth MaleDavid's warriorOne of David's warriors from the tribe of Benjamin.View full profile →
- Iri Tribe of BenjaminSon of BelaSon of Bela, grandson of Benjamin.View full profile →
- Addar Tribe of BenjaminSon of BelaSon of Bela, a BenjaminiteView full profile →
- Gera Tribe of BenjaminSon of BelaSon of Bela, grandson of Benjamin.View full profile →
- Abihud Tribe of BenjaminSaul's familySon of Bela, a BenjaminiteView full profile →
- Abishua Tribe of BenjaminSon of BelaDescendant of Benjamin, son of BelaView full profile →
- Ahoah Tribe of BenjaminDavid's warriorDescendant of Benjamin, clan of David's mighty menView full profile →
In Scripture
3 biblical books ; 1 with study contentGenesis 1 verse
- Genesis 46:21
"The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard."
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Numbers 2 verses
- 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 4 verses
- 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,"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | בֶּ֫לַע |
| Group | Hebrew | בַּלְעִי |