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The article discusses Na'aman's recent proposal in this journal that the land of Benjamin was part of Judah throughout monarchic and earlier times. I agree with Na'aman that in late monarchic times the land of Benjamin indeed belonged to Judah. But I contend that in previous centuries the region was dominated by the north Israelite polity. I suggest that this territory changed hands at least once - from north to south - in the second half of the 9th century BCE. Against this background the article also discusses Na'aman's hypothesis regarding the emergence of »biblical Israel«. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]