Benjamin— After so remarkable a benediction had been bestowed on Joseph, Benjamin, who was also tenderly loved of his father, might reasonably have expected to have heard that some great blessing was reserved for him likewise. But, though his lot was one of the very best, yet he had not the satisfaction to be informed of it at this time; it pleased God rather that he should have some idea of the rapacious and sanguinary temper of his posterity. The ways of Providence are, in this case, as in many others, unfathomable; but yet it may be humbly supposed, that this declaration was graciously intended as a distant caution to the Benjamites against the dismal effects which they would one day bring on themselves, if they did not curb their passion. The prophecy before us does not present us with a view of a fond father bellowing his favours partially, but of a venerable prophet, declaring from the common Father of all what was of the utmost importance for the welfare of his children to know. Durell.
This last remark is of consequence, as, throughout all these blessings, the particular direction of Providence is observable. If Jacob had followed his own inclination, Joseph, not Judah, would have seen all his brethren bowing down before him, Genesis 49:8 and Benjamin, no doubt, would have been second in honour and favour; but God disposed it otherwise; it was his Spirit, not that of the patriarch, which inspired these benedictions.
Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf— Or rather, Benjamin is a ravening wolf. Wolves, it is well known, are the most fierce and cruel of all quadrupeds; and, on this account, we find them in the heathen mythology consecrated to the god of war. It is observed by AElian, that nothing daunts them when stimulated by hunger; and he compares them to very wicked men, who despise all danger in the way to their infamous purposes. That there is great similitude between this animal and the tribe we are now considering, will appear by the sequel. Durell.
And at night he shall divide the spoil— The most judicious among modern commentators are persuaded that the patriarch points to the war, obstinately and unjustly undertaken by this tribe, against the united force of all Israel. See Le Clerc, Calmet, &c. And indeed this sense is built on a more solid foundation; it is an event worthy of the notice of a prophetic spirit, and is agreeable to Jacob's general declaration, Genesis 49:1 and to the whole tenor of the prophecy. The account of this most abominable transaction (which arose from small beginnings, till it proceeded to such a height, that sixty-five thousand lives, at least, were lost in it, and which was near being attended with the total extinction of one tribe in Israel) has been transmitted down to us, with all its circumstances, in the book of Judges, ch. 19: and 20: In this event one may, I think, without great sagacity, trace the outline of the wolf in the conduct of the Benjamites: their fierce, but ungenerous spirit, is nearly as striking in the historian's narration as in the poetical description. But if any one expects to discern an exact likeness in every part of the piece between this tribe, in respect to the fact referred to, and the savage beast before mentioned; he should consider, that all the adjuncts in a simile seldom answer, in every respect, to the object illustrated. Durell.