Benjamin was the twelfth son of Jacob, by his wife Rachel who died at Benjamin’s birth. After Jacob was told that his son Joseph was dead — although he had actually been sold into slavery — Benjamin became his father’s favorite. Benjamin accompanied his brothers to Egypt to buy food during a famine. There they unknowingly encountered Joseph who had become a high-ranking official. After secretly having a cup placed in Benjamin’s sack, Joseph charged that Benjamin was a thief. When one of the brothers offered to go to prison in place of Benjamin, Joseph revealed his true identity. Benjamin gave his name to a tribe that settled in central Palestine.