Bible Encyclopedias
Bene-Jaakan

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(Heb. Beney' Yaakan', בְּנֵי יִעֲקָן, Children of Jaakan; Sept. Βαναία v. r. Βανικάν; Vulg. Benejaacan), a tribe who gave their name to certain wells in the desert which formed one of the halting-places of the Israelites on their journey to Canaan (Numbers 33:31-32). (See BEEROTH-BENE- JAAKAN). The tribe doubtless derived its name from Jaakan, the son of Ezer, son of Seir the Horite (1 Chronicles 1:42). (See AKAN); JAKAN. In the time of Eusebius and Jerome (Onomast. s.v. Ι᾿ακείμ, Beroth fil. Jacin), the spot was shown ten miles from Petra, on the top of a mountain. Robinson suggests the small fountain et-Taiyibeh, at the bottom of the pass er-Rubay under Petra, a short distance from the Arabah (Researches, 2, 583). The word "Beeroth," however, suggests, not a spring, but a group of artificial wells. In the Targum of Pseudo-Jonathan the name is given in Numbers as Akta (בֵּירֵי עִקְתָּא ). The assemblage of fountains near the northern extremity of the Arabah is no doubt referred to. (See EXODE).

Bibliography Information
McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Bene-Jaakan'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/​encyclopedias/​eng/​tce/​b/bene-jaakan.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.