Jacob's parting words to his youngest son paint a striking portrait of a fierce, wolf-like warrior. This imagery captures the essence of a tribe destined for rapid military conquests, pivotal historical leadership, and a unique connection to the holiness of the Temple. Rather than portraying Benjamin as hunting a wolf, the blessing establishes the tribe itself as the predator, swiftly seizing spoils from defeated enemies [שפתי חכמים, מזרחי, גור אריה, אבן עזרא, רד״ק, שד״ל, הכתב והקבלה].
The wolf metaphor highlights a tribe of brave and fearless fighters [רד״ק, שד״ל]. Yet, there is a distinct difference between this imagery and that of a lion, which stands its ground without fear. A wolf is characterized by rapid strikes and quick retreats. Similarly, the tribe of Benjamin and its leaders were known for their swift, impulsive victories that sometimes lacked long-term stability [אור החיים, הטור הארוך, בכור שור]. This snatching nature also echoes through their history, most notably during the tragic aftermath of the battle in Gibeah, where the surviving men of Benjamin were forced to snatch wives to save their tribe from extinction [רש״י, רבנו בחיי, צרור המור].
The primary approach among commentators views the concepts of morning and evening as symbols for distinct historical eras in which descendants of Benjamin brought salvation to the Israelites. The morning represents the dawn of Israel's monarchy. This points directly to Saul, the nation's first king and a son of Benjamin, who successfully battled surrounding enemies like Amalek and the Philistines, claiming their spoils [רש״י, רשב״ם, ספורנו, רד״ק]. Conversely, the evening symbolizes the fading light of the nation and the darkness of exile. This era highlights Mordecai and Esther, also descendants of Benjamin, who operated during the Persian exile to defeat Haman and distribute his vast estate [רש״י, ספורנו, רד״ק, רבנו בחיי]. Offering a different perspective, some suggest the entire historical imagery focuses solely on King Saul. In this view, the morning reflects the early, victorious days of his reign, while the evening represents his tragic decline during the conflict with Goliath, when his power faded and his spoils were ultimately divided among others [העמק דבר].
Beyond the battlefield, the predatory imagery takes on a profound spiritual dimension connected to the Temple service. Because the Temple and its Altar were built within the territorial portion of Benjamin, the Altar itself is compared to a ravenous wolf, continuously consuming the sacrifices placed upon it. The morning aligns with the daily dawn offering, while the evening corresponds to the afternoon sacrifice, after which the priests would divide the remaining holy portions among themselves [רבנו בחיי, הכתב והקבלה, צרור המור, נתינה לגר].
On a philosophical level, the imagery serves as a lesson about human ambition and material wealth. The morning, a time of light, represents the pursuit of one's essential needs. Just as a wolf hunts to satisfy its basic hunger, a person who seeks only what is necessary will find enduring sustenance. The evening, shrouded in darkness, represents the pursuit of unnecessary luxury and excess. Such wealth lacks permanence; ultimately, a person must leave it behind, and it is divided up as spoils by others [כלי יקר].