The listing names Joseph and Benjamin as the sons born to Rachel. Joseph was loved by Jacob with a special love because he was Rachel's son and because he was a child of Jacob's old age. Jacob's marked and open preference for him stirred resentment among his brothers. The listing stands within the account of Jacob's sons from whom the twelve tribes of Israel sprang. When Israel became a distinct people, each of those tribes had its own leader.
The listing names Joseph and Benjamin as the sons born to Rachel. Joseph was loved by Jacob with a special love because he was Rachel's son and because he was a child of Jacob's old age. Jacob's marked and open preference for him stirred resentment among his brothers. The listing stands within the account of Jacob's sons from whom the twelve tribes of Israel sprang. When Israel became a distinct people, each of those tribes had its own leader.