Interesting Facts

• Mechalia, also known as Ijasaka, became the wife of Benjamin.
• Her father was Aram, the son of Zoba, the son of Terah.
• She journeyed from Aram to the land of Canaan to the house of Jacob.
• At the time of her marriage to Benjamin, he was ten years old.
• Mechalia conceived and bore Benjamin five sons: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, and Naaman.

Genealogy

• Mechalia was the daughter of Aram. Her lineage traces back to Zoba and ultimately to Terah.
• She married Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob. This union connected her to the lineage of Jacob and the future tribes of Israel.
• Through her marriage to Benjamin, she became the mother of Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, and Naaman. These sons are foundational in establishing the familial lines within the tribe of Benjamin.
• Her father-in-law was Jacob, and her mother-in-law was Rachel.

Historical Context Mechalia’s entry into the narrative occurs during a period when Jacob’s family was residing in the land of Canaan, after Jacob’s return from Padan-aram. Her journey from Aram signifies connections and potential interactions with the Aramean people. The fact that Benjamin was only ten years old at the time of their marriage highlights the marital customs of the era, where unions could occur at a younger age than is common in later periods. Her role as the wife of Benjamin and the mother of his first five sons was crucial for the continuation and growth of Jacob’s lineage and the eventual formation of the Israelite tribes. The narrative surrounding this time focuses on familial bonds, the establishment of households, and the early stages of the formation of what would become the nation of Israel in Canaan.

Narrative

Mechalia’s narrative presence in the provided sources is primarily defined by her marriage to Benjamin and the subsequent birth of his sons. She is not depicted through personal actions or dialogues, but her significance lies in her role as a key figure in the genealogy of the tribe of Benjamin. Her arrival from Aram and marriage into Jacob’s household contributes to the intricate web of familial relationships that underpin the early history of the Israelites. The text notes the specific year (though potentially debated amongst different textual traditions) in which this union occurred, placing her within the broader timeline of Jacob’s life and the experiences of his sons. While the surrounding narratives often focus on the interactions between Jacob and his elder sons, particularly concerning Joseph and Esau, Mechalia’s role is foundational in establishing the future of one of the twelve tribes through her offspring. Her story, as presented here, emphasizes the importance of lineage and the continuation of the family through marriage and procreation.