Retired teacher Bert Otten, who was once part of the old WCG, sent me a paper with his reasons why he feels that many ‘Western Vikings’ are the descendants of the biblical tribe of Benjamin. He told me that I could edit and/or use what he sends in any way.
Benjamites:
Saul – First king of Israel. Fought 40 years successfully against the neighbouring nations, especially against the Philistines. Lost God’s favour. Went to the witch of Endor. Died on the hills of Gilboa with his sons Jonathan, Abinadab and Malchishua (1Sam 9-31)
Jonathan – Hero and successor to the throne. Loved David, with whom he made a covenant. They would look after each others children (1Sam 20).
Abner – Saul’s cousin. Army commander of Saul and of Ishbosheth. Fought a hopeless civil war with Joab for some years. Abner had killed Joab’s brother with a single backwards thrust of his spear. Joab murdered Abner when he had come to surrender the northern tribes into David’s hands (1 Sam 14 – 2 Sam 3).
Ishbosheth – Son of Saul. Abner put Ishbosheth on the throne in Mahanaim (is in the tribal area of Gad). He was a puppet of Abner. Ishbosheth blamed Abner for taking Rizpah, his father’s concubine. The angry Abner decided to end the civl war and to deliver the north into the hands of David (2Sam 2-4).
Mephibosheth – Cripple son of Jonathan. Because of Jonathan’s covenant with David, Mephibosheth got a place at David’s court (2Sam 9, 16, 19)
Baanah and Rechab – Two leaders of warrior bands for Ishbosheth, during the civil war. They killed their king Ishbosheth and cut off his head to take it to David. Instead of receiving a reward, they were executed (2Sam 4).
Shimei – During Absalom’s rebellion Shimei expected a reinstating of the House of Saul. So during David’s flight, Shimei walked along with king David, cursing and throwing stones (2 Sam 16, 19).
Sheba – Sheba called for a rebellion of the tribes against David. He fled to Abel of Bethmaachah, but the inhabitants chucked his head over the wall to Joab, David’s general (2 Sam 20).
Esther & Mordecai – Jews of the tribe of Benjamin at the time of the Persians. They saved the Jewish people (Judah) in a valiant way (Book of Esther).
Paul – At first Saul persecuted the Church with the sword; later as Paul he preached the cross and wrote 1Corinthians 13, an Ode to Love (NT).
1st Clue: Benjamin: Joseph’s full brother
The sons of Rachel; JOSEPH, AND BENJAMIN (Gen 35:24).
But BENJAMIN, JOSEPH’S [FULL] BROTHER, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him (Gen 42:4).
And [Joseph] fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck (Gen 45:14, AV throughout, unless mentioned otherwise).
Joseph & Benjamin
There was a close tie between Joseph and Benjamin. All the other brothers were half-brothers to Joseph, but Benjamin was his only full brother. In Eretz Yisrael their tribal areas formed a whole. Benjamin lived south of Ephraim and Manasseh.
In the time of the judges the tribe of Benjamin was extinguished, all but for 600 men. 200 of those 600 got their wives from the daughters of Shiloh, so of the tribe of Ephraim. Rachel genes of the tribe of Ephraim (Joseph) were added to the tribe of Benjamin.
Vikings in the British Isles
During the Viking Age many Vikings settled in the British Isles. Many Britons have some Viking blood. … Vikings from Norway circled the whole and came from the north and settled in Scotland, Ireland (Dublin), Wales and the Isle of Man. Benjamin embraced Joseph in the Bible and in a sense Benjamin embraced Joseph on the map and mixed with Joseph.
Linguistic Loans
No wonder that the English language has many Old Norse loans: anger, awe, are, berserk, call, cast, egg, fellow, fog, gap, get, gun, happy, husband, ill, kid, kindle, knife, knot, law, leg, loft, low, mire, muck, odd, outlaw, wrong, wing, window, whirl, weak, until, ugly, trust, till, tidings, thwart, thrust, thrift, though, their, teem, take, sway, sick, etc.
2nd Clue: Benjamin: … in the west …
ON THE WEST SIDE [of the Tabernacle] shall be the standard of the camp of EPHRAIM [son of Joseph] according to their armies … And by him shall be the tribe of MANASSEH [son of Joseph] … Then the tribe of BENJAMIN …(Num 2:18-24).
The Tabernacle
There are three Rachel tribes: Ephraim, Manasseh and Benjamin. The Rachel tribes camped west of the Tabernacle, under Ephraim’s leadership. I believe that the western Vikings (from Denmark and Norway) are descendants of Benjamin and ended up in Denmark, Norway, Iceland and the Faeroe Islands. Ephraim and Manasseh ended up in the British Isles, all three far to the west.
Quite a few Vikings settled in the British Isles. Many Danes settled in Normandy, which got its name from the Norsemen. Many of these Normans (with Viking blood) crossed the Channel with William the Conqueror (1066) and settled in the British Isles too. So, in the Viking Age many Vikings went west.
Norse Vikings
About 500 years before Columbus (1492) and the English (1497), the Norse Vikings arrived in America. The Norse Vikings sailed their ships westwards to Iceland, Greenland and Vinland (New Foundland, Canada). The Viking colony in Greenland survived for about 450 to 500 years. The Viking Benjamites were the first in the New World and the first of the Israelites to go west. Later on to be followed by many others of the Lost Tribes.
3rd Clue: Benjamin, FIVE TIMES as much
And Joseph sent food to them from his table, but he sent FIVE TIMES as much to BENJAMIN as to any of the others. And they took wine freely with him. (Gen 43:34, BBE, Bible in Basic English).
To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and FIVE CHANGES OF RAIMENT (Gen 45:22).
Five times as much
When the brothers came back to Joseph, Benjamin with them this time, they set down to eat with him. Benjamin’s portion of food was five times as much. The other brothers got a set of clothing and Benjamin got five sets of clothing. We see that the Benjamites got an extensive area of land in Europe. The Western Vikings spread out over Denmark, Skane, Norway, Iceland and Faeroe Islands. …
4th Clue: Benjamin: a ravenous wolf
Benjamin is A RAVENOUS WOLF, in the morning devouring the prey, and at even dividing the spoil.” (Gen 49:27, RSV).
Jewish Encyclopedia
The Jewish Encyclopedia states about this: “[According to the rabbis]: His comparison to the ravening wolf (Cant. R. to viii. 1), “who devours his enemy” (Gen. xlix. 27) is referred to the men of Shiloh who stole their wives (Judges xxi.) or to Ehud or to Saul. By others it is referred to Mordecai and Esther (Gen. R. xcix. and Tan., Wayeḥi, 14; so also in the original text of the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs [Benjamin ii]; whereas a Christian interpolation refers it to Paul). …
Vikings – wolves
There is no people that fulfilled this verse as the Vikings did during the three centuries of the Viking Age. In gangs they attacked early in the morning in hit-and-run style, and at evening they divided the spoil. The common sword of the time was the Ulfberht sword. Ulfberht probably was the name of a bladesmith or of a group of bladesmiths. Ulfberht translates into English as Bright Wulf.
Wikipedia: ‘Viking raid warfare’
Wikipedia: Vikings tried to gain a reputation for their first ever raids and piracy in many parts of Europe, especially England, Ireland, and Frankish territories. The term “Viking age” refers to the period roughly from 793 AD to the late 11th century in Europe. In this era Viking activity started with raids on Christian lands in England and eventually expanded to mainland Europe … While maritime battles were rare, Viking bands proved very successful in raiding coastal towns and monasteries due to their efficient warships, and intimidating war tactics, skillful hand-to-hand combat, and fearlessness. … Vikings’ tactics in warfare gave them an enormous advantage in successfully raiding (and later colonizing), despite their small population in comparison to that of their enemies. [Compare this to Ehud and the Moabites; Jonathan against the Philistines and the tribe of Benjamin against the other 11 tribes … few against many]. …
In the early Viking Age, during the late 8th century and most of the 9th, Vikings consisted of smaller tribal bands with a lack of any clear central authority, governance being rooted in tribal assemblies. …
The first known raid was on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne off the English coast in 793. This raid was also the first one that made a lasting impact on the British Isles and made the Anglo-Saxons aware of the Viking threat. …
These raids continued for the entirety of the Viking Age. These initial raids had a religious implication to them. Vikings would target monasteries along the coast, raid the towns for their booty, and destroy what was left. This caused mass fear …
The fast design of Viking ships was essential to their hit-and-run raids. For instance, in the sacking of Frisia in the early 9th century, Charlemagne mobilized his troops as soon as he heard of the raid, but completely missed the Vikings when he arrived. The Vikings’ ships gave them an element of surprise. Often traveling in small packs, or bands, they could easily go undetected, swiftly enter a village or monastery, pillage and collect booty, and leave before reinforcements arrived.
Viking military tactics succeeded mainly because they disregarded the conventional battlefield tactics, methods, and customs of the time. They ignored the unspoken rules of leaving holy sites untouched, and they never arranged battle times. Deceit, stealth, and ruthlessness were not seen as cowardly. During raids the Vikings targeted religious sites because of their vulnerability, often butchering the clergy at these sites in honor of a Pagan god. These religious sites also contained vast amounts of wealth, which the Vikings saw as opportunities to loot and plunder. …
Vikings attacked ships, not with the intent to destroy them, but rather to board them and take control. This is because Vikings originally based their battles around economic gains rather than political or territorial gains.
Odin & Wolves
Wikipedia: In Norse mythology, Geri and Freki (Old Norse, both meaning “the ravenous” or “greedy one”) are two wolves which are said to accompany the god Odin.
5th Clue: Benjamites: fearless
And EHUD put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly (Judg 3:21).
And the children of Benjamin were … 26,000 that drew sword … Among all this people there were 700 chosen men lefthanded … And the men of Israel, beside Benjamin, were numbered 400,000 men that drew sword … (Judg 20:15-17).
And JONATHAN said to his young servant who had his arms, Come, let us go over to the armies of these men who have no circumcision … the Lord is able to give salvation by a great army OR BY A SMALL BAND (1Sam 14:6, BBE).
And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman … But MORDECAI BOWED NOT, nor did him reverence (Esther 2:3).
But some Jews came to that place from Antioch and Iconium, and got control over the people; AND AFTER STONING PAUL, they had him pulled out of the town, taking him for dead. But when the disciples came round him, HE GOT UP AND WENT INTO THE TOWN: and the day after he went away with Barnabas … (Acts 14:19-20, BBE).
Fearless Benjamites
Benjamites are often fearless fighters, think of Ehud, the civil war against the Benjamites (11 tribes against 1), Saul, Abner, Jonathan, Mordecai, Esther and Paul.
Left-handed Ehud went back alone and killed the Moabite king single-handedly (Judg 3). The Benjamites went to war 27,700 against 400,000, 1 tribe against 11 tribes (Judg 20). Saul, his cousin Abner, and Jonathan were great warriors. Jonathan once took an Philistine outpost together with his servant. Mordecai refused to bow for Haman. The apostle Paul was a fearless Benjamite too. After having been stoned he went back into the city of the people who had just stoned him! …
6th Clue: Benjamin: sword / violence
Therefore, my children, I tell you, flee the malice of Beliar; for he giveth A SWORD to them that obey him. And THE SWORD is the mother of seven evils … and first there is BLOODSHED; secondly, RUIN; thirdly, TRIBULATION; fourthly, EXILE; fifthly, DEARTH; sixthly, PANIC; seventhly, DESTRUCTION (Test. of Benjamin 7:1-2).
So Ehud made himself A TWO-EDGED SWORD … 21 And Ehud put out HIS LEFT HAND, AND TOOK THE SWORD FROM HIS RIGHT SIDE, and sent it into his stomach; 22 And the hand-part went in after the blade, and the fat was joined up over the blade; for HE DID NOT TAKE THE SWORD OUT of his stomach. And he went out … (Judg 3:16, 21-22, BBE).
And the Levite, the husband of the woman who was murdered, answered and said, “I came to Gibeah that belongs to Benjamin … And the men of Gibeah rose against me THEY MEANT TO KILL ME, AND THEY RAVISHED MY CONCUBINE, AND SHE IS DEAD (Judg 20:4-5, RSV).
So that all which fell that day of Benjamin were 25,000 men that drew THE SWORD; all these were men of valour (Judg 20:46).
Now when Saul had taken his place as ruler of Israel, HE MADE WAR ON THOSE WHO WERE AGAINST HIM ON EVERY SIDE … and whichever way he went, HE OVERCAME THEM (1Sam 14:47, BBE).
… so Abner gave [Asahel] a back blow in the stomach with his spear, SO THAT THE SPEAR CAME OUT AT HIS BACK; and he went down on the earth, wounded to death … (2Sam 2:23, BBE).
For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I PERSECUTED the church of God VIOLENTLY AND TRIED TO DESTROY IT (Galatians 1:13, RSV).
Benjamin & Violence (Sword)
There are tribes that are quite peaceful, like Asher, Zebulun and Issachar. Then there are militaristic tribes like Ephraim, Gad and Manasseh. The tribe of Benjamin was often involved in violence. That’s why Jacob prophesied Benjamin to be a devouring wolf.
Lefthanded Ehud single-handedly killed the king of Moab. The men of Gibeah raped a woman a whole night long so that she died. The Benjamites did not want to hand over the culprits, so they started a civil war of 1 tribe aginst 11 (Vikings avant la lettre). Abner, Saul’s army commander killed Asahel with a backwards thrust of his spear. Saul fought 40 years for his kingdom and died on the hills of Gilboa with his sons. Jonathan conquered a Philistine outpost all by himself and Saul/Paul persecuted the church with the sword.
Vikings and their sword
https://www.toptenz.net/10-horrifying-facts-vikings.php: The Vikings used a number of different weapons, like long axes and spears. Even their shields were used as offensive weapons. However, their most prized weapons were their long swords. The Vikings would name their swords like “Widow-Maker” and “Corpse-Bramble,” and the swords would be passed down generation to generation. As Viking boys grew up, their fathers would talk about all the men who died by the sword. This helped pass along their family history and instill the idea of nobility in battle. The swords were double edged and sharp enough to cut through a human skull, or cut off a limb with one slice. The men carried their swords at all times, usually on their back, and slept beside them. They needed to be armed all the time because of family disputes. Factions of Vikings were constantly at war, after all. Men were expected to be able to defend their homes, their families, and help defend their leaders and their leaders’ property.
Erik the Red & Violence
https://www.toptenz.net/10-horrifying-facts-vikings.php: The Vikings were fierce and dedicated warriors that were known for their brutality. And somehow, Erik Thorvaldsson was too violent for them. Better known as Erik the Red, he was born in Norway sometime around 950. When Erik was a child, his father was exiled over a murder, and his family moved to Iceland. This would become a theme for Erik. Erik gained his famous nickname because of his red hair and the fact that he was a volatile and violent man. This temper would get him in trouble around 980. While living in Haukadale, Iceland … Erik killed Eyiolf and an enforcer of his clan. The family of Eyiolf demanded justice, and Erik was banished [He went to Greenland].
Norsemen → Normans
Dutch Wikipedia: The Normans remained warriors above all and when the First Crusade was launched, Normans were the heart of it. The First Crusade contains conflicting aspects of Norman contribution to European history. The army of the Norman nobleman Bohemund commited such atrocities, that these are still a part of the collective memory of the peoples of the Middle East.
7th Clue: Benjamin: … tactics …
Then … he gave them a saviour, Ehud, … the Benjamite, A LEFT-HANDED MAN; and the children of Israel sent an offering by him to Eglon, king of Moab. So Ehud made himself a two-edged sword, a cubit long, which HE PUT ON AT HIS RIGHT SIDE under his robe … And Ehud put out HIS LEFT HAND, AND TOOK THE SWORD FROM HIS RIGHT SIDE, and sent it into his stomach (Jdgs 3:15-21, BBE).
Among all this people [of Benjamin] there were 700 chosen men LEFTHANDED; every one could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss (Jdgs 20:16).
Now these are the men who came to David at Ziklag … They were armed with bows, and were able to send stones, and arrows from the bow, WITH RIGHT HAND OR LEFT: they were Saul’s brothers, OF BENJAMIN (1Chron 12:1-2, BBE).
[Benjamite Paul]: By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness ON THE RIGHT HAND AND ON THE LEFT (2Cor 6:7).
But 600 men turned and fled to the wilderness UNTO THE ROCK RIMMON, AND ABODE IN THE ROCK RIMMON FOUR MONTHS (Jdgs 20:25).
And the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah, and destroyed … of the Israelites that day 22,000 men (Jdgs 20:21).
And Benjamin went forth against them out of Gibeah the second day, and destroyed … of the children of Israel again 18,000 men; all these drew the sword (Jdgs 20:25).
Benjamites – warriors
Benjamites seemed to have enjoyed combat. They were not afraid to attack opponents with huge numbers. After the Gibeah atrocity 27,700 Benjamites attacked 400,000 Israelites
while normally the defence is chosen in such circumstances. With their bold attacks they even won two battles and the other 11 tribes initially withdrew (Jdgs 20).
Likewise the Vikings loved battle. …
Two-handed fighting
Left-handed fighting or two-handed fighting is mentioned three times in the OT. All three times in connection with the tribe of Benjamin. The fourth mention (NT) of weapons in the right and left hand is from the Benjamite Paul (2Cor 6:7).
The Vikings trained in two-handed offensive fighting. They had a short axe, but also the two-handed long dane-axe. They had normal spears, but also two-handed long spears. With these axes and spears they could stay out of reach of their opponents. …
8th Clue: Benjamin: loyalty / disloyalty
And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I WILL SMITE DAVID EVEN TO THE WALL WITH IT. And David avoided out of his presence twice (1Sam 18:11).
And Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David. But JONATHAN, SAUL’S SON, DELIGHTED MUCH IN DAVID (1Sam 19:1, RSV).
Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, DO NOT I KNOW THAT THOU HAST CHOSEN THE SON OF JESSE TO THINE OWN CONFUSION, and unto the confusion of thy mother’s nakedness? (1Sam 20:30)
AND SAUL CAST A JAVELIN AT HIM TO SMITE [JONATHAN]: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David (1Sam 20:33).
And … there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul. And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah … and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father’s concubine? Then was Abner very wroth … and said, Am I a dog’s head … So do God to Abner … as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him; TO TRANSLATE THE KINGDOM FROM THE HOUSE OF SAUL, AND TO SET UP THE THRONE OF DAVID OVER ISRAEL … he could not answer Abner … because he feared him. And Abner sent messengers to David … saying … Make thy league with me … my hand shall … bring about all Israel unto thee (2Sam 3).
Shifting loyalties
Saul, Michal, Ishbosheth, Mephibosheth (2Sam 16), Jonathan, Abner,Shimei (2Sam 16), Baanah & Rechab (2Sam 4), Sheba (2Sam 20) and Paul, are all Benjamites. What they have in common is that, either they changed sides, or they became disloyal.
David was an army commander of Saul, but Saul tried to kill him again and again. Jonathan and Michal loved David and chose his side, against their father Saul.
Abner fought a civil war for years against Joab (David) for Saul’s son Ishbosheth. However the moment Ishbosheth admonished Abner over his father’s concubine, Abner turned against his boss and went to David to hand over the north to him.
Ishbosheth had warbands fighting for him with two Benjamite brothers, Baanah and Rechab. They betrayed the king they were fighting for and killed Ishbosheth during his sleep, decapitated him and took the head to David (hoping for a reward).
Shimei turned against his fleeing king David and threw stones at him. The Benjamite Sheba called (in vain) for rebellion against the House of David.
Saul / Paul first persecuted the Church, was converted and ended up fighting for the Church (Acts of the Apostles).
Selfish Viking Individualism
https://norse-mythology.org/the-vikings-selfish-individualism/
There’s a common Romantic image of the Vikings fighting their wars for the collective well-being of their nations and homelands, putting tribal loyalty above self-interest. That image could hardly be further from the historical reality. The Vikings weren’t dutiful soldiers selflessly sacrificing themselves for their people; they were mercenaries who, when it really came down to it, cared first and foremost for their own selfish gain. …
9th Clue: Benjamin: kingdom builders
Then Samuel took the bottle of oil, and put the oil on his head and gave him a kiss and said, Is not the Lord with the holy oil MAKING YOU RULER OVER ISRAEL, HIS PEOPLE? … (1Sam 10:1a).
And the spirit of God came mightily upon Saul when he heard these words, and his anger was greatly kindled. He took a yoke of oxen, and cut them in pieces and sent them throughout all the territory of Israel by the hand of messengers, saying, “Whoever does not come out after Saul and Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen!” Then the dread of the LORD fell upon the people, and they came out as one man (1Sam 11:6-7).
Now when Saul had taken HIS PLACE AS RULER OF ISRAEL, he made war on those who were against him on every side, Moab and the Ammonites and Edom and the kings of Zobah and the Philistines: and WHICHEVER WAY HE WENT, HE OVERCAME THEM (1Sam 14:47, BBE).
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (Acts 13:2, RSV).
And count the forbearance of our Lord as salvation. SO ALSO OUR BELOVED BROTHER PAUL WROTE TO YOU ACCORDING TO THE WISDOM GIVEN HIM, SPEAKING OF THIS AS HE DOES IN ALL HIS LETTERS. THERE ARE SOME THINGS IN THEM HARD TO UNDERSTAND, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction … (2Pe 3:15-16, RSV).
Saul of the OT & Saul of the NT
Benjamites are good organizers and kingdom builders. At the time of the judges Israel was a loose confederation of tribes. There was no central governance, no king. God used the Benjamite Saul to build the kingdom, which was later taken over by the House of David. …
Paul was instrumental in building that Church with his missionary journeys and his epistles. Paul wrote 13 of the 26 NT books. Paul was an able organizer and he was of the tribe of Benjamin. …
Vikings – organizers & kingdom builders
Vikings were not just plunderers in hit-and-run actions, but also good organizers. Otherwise they would never have been able to make these long journeys. …
Benjamites (Vikings) are good organizers and kindom builders. The Scandinavian kingdoms today are well organized states.
Perhaps I should add that my wife and I have been to Iceland once.
The Bible records various promises made to the tribes of Israel in Genesis 48, Genesis 49, and Deuteronomy 33. Many seem to have overlooked those, but those prophecies have been, and will be fulfilled.
While part of the old Radio Church of God, the late Dr. Herman Hoeh wrote:
While there are various ways to look at those and other prophecies, let me conclude by stating that I do believe that those of Iceland and Norway are essentially descended from biblical Benjamin, though there is ethnic intermingling.
That being said, knowing where various peoples have come from, help us better understand how the Bible teaches that various ones will be affected by end time events that are still to come to pass.
