Genesis 46

In Genesis 46, Jacob, also known as Israel, moves to Egypt with his family after receiving divine assurance from God. God promises Jacob that his descendants will become a great nation, even in a foreign land. This chapter outlines Jacob's journey and the family members who accompany him to Egypt. It emphasizes God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Jacob and highlights the preservation of Jacob’s lineage during a time of famine through Joseph's position in Egypt.

Genesis 46:1 (NKJV)
1 So Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.

Jacob, also called Israel, starts his journey to Egypt, a significant move for the patriarch and his family. Before continuing to Egypt, he stops at Beersheba, the place where his father Isaac had lived, and offers sacrifices to God. This shows Jacob’s dependence on God and his recognition of God’s sovereignty over this journey. Sacrifices also symbolize Jacob’s gratitude and trust in God as he embarks on this new phase of life.

Genesis 46:2-4 (NKJV)
2 Then God spoke to Israel in the visions of the night, and said, “Jacob, Jacob!” And he said, “Here I am.”
3 So He said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there.
4 I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again; and Joseph will put his hand on your eyes.”

God reassures Jacob in a vision at night, addressing him by name and affirming that He is the God of his father, Isaac. God tells Jacob not to fear going down to Egypt, promising that He will make Jacob's family into a great nation there. Furthermore, God assures Jacob of His presence, both in Egypt and in bringing him back again. This is a comforting promise of divine protection, with the additional note that Joseph, Jacob’s beloved son, will be with him in his final moments.

Genesis 46:5-7 (NKJV)
5 Then Jacob arose from Beersheba; and the sons of Israel carried their father Jacob, their little ones, and their wives, in the carts which Pharaoh had sent to carry him.
6 So they took their livestock and their goods, which they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and went to Egypt, Jacob and all his descendants with him.
7 His sons and his sons’ sons, his daughters and his sons’ daughters, and all his descendants he brought with him to Egypt.

Jacob, after receiving divine confirmation, proceeds with his journey to Egypt. Pharaoh’s provisions are seen in the carts used to transport Jacob and his family. They take their livestock and belongings, leaving behind their familiar land to start a new life. The passage emphasizes that Jacob brought all his descendants—his entire household—to Egypt. This marks the beginning of the transformation of Jacob’s family into a great nation, as foretold by God.

Genesis 46:8-9 (NKJV)
8 Now these were the names of the children of Israel, Jacob and his sons, who went to Egypt: Reuben was Jacob’s firstborn.
9 The sons of Reuben were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.

Here, the narrative begins to list the names of Jacob’s descendants who went with him to Egypt. The mention of Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, along with his sons, reflects the continuity of the family line. Each name listed contributes to the genealogical record, which is important for understanding the formation of the twelve tribes of Israel. Reuben’s lineage, though later marred by his sin against his father, is still counted among the tribes.

Genesis 46:10-12 (NKJV)
10 The sons of Simeon were Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul, the son of a Canaanite woman.
11 The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
12 The sons of Judah were Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah (but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan). The sons of Perez were Hezron and Hamul.

The genealogy continues with Simeon, Levi, and Judah, three of Jacob’s sons. Simeon’s son Shaul is specifically noted as the son of a Canaanite woman, which reflects a connection to the surrounding cultures. The line of Levi, which would later be significant for the priesthood of Israel, is introduced with his three sons. Judah’s family, despite the deaths of Er and Onan, continues through Perez, emphasizing God’s preservation of this important tribe, from which the Messiah would eventually come.

Genesis 46:13-15 (NKJV)
13 The sons of Issachar were Tola, Puvah, Job, and Shimron.
14 The sons of Zebulun were Sered, Elon, and Jahleel.
15 These were the sons of Leah, whom she bore to Jacob in Padan Aram, with his daughter Dinah. All the persons, his sons and his daughters, were thirty-three.

The focus shifts to the descendants of Issachar and Zebulun, sons of Leah. Leah’s children play a central role in Jacob’s family, and their inclusion underscores her importance in the narrative. Dinah, the daughter of Leah, is also mentioned, highlighting the presence of women in the family line. The total number of Leah’s descendants going to Egypt is thirty-three, indicating the size and significance of this branch of Jacob’s family.

Genesis 46:16-18 (NKJV)
16 The sons of Gad were Ziphion, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi, and Areli.
17 The sons of Asher were Jimnah, Ishuah, Isui, Beriah, and Serah, their sister. And the sons of Beriah were Heber and Malchiel.
18 These were the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah his daughter; and these she bore to Jacob: sixteen persons.

These verses list the descendants of Jacob through Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid. Gad and Asher are mentioned here, and interestingly, Asher's daughter Serah is named, one of the few women included in these genealogies. This inclusion shows that women, though fewer in number, played notable roles in the family structure. The total number of Zilpah’s descendants is recorded as sixteen, contributing to the grand tally of Jacob’s family moving to Egypt.

Genesis 46:19-22 (NKJV)
19 The sons of Rachel, Jacob’s wife, were Joseph and Benjamin.
20 And to Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On, bore to him.
21 The sons of Benjamin were Belah, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard.
22 These were the sons of Rachel, who were born to Jacob: fourteen persons in all.

This passage focuses on Rachel’s descendants. Joseph, now ruling in Egypt, has two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, born to him through an Egyptian wife, highlighting the multicultural aspect of his family. Benjamin’s family is large, with ten sons listed, which is notable given that Benjamin is the youngest of Jacob’s children. Rachel's descendants number fourteen in total, reflecting her importance as Jacob’s beloved wife.

Genesis 46:23-25 (NKJV)
23 The son of Dan was Hushim.
24 The sons of Naphtali were Jahzeel, Guni, Jezer, and Shillem.
25 These were the sons of Bilhah, whom Laban gave to Rachel his daughter, and she bore these to Jacob: seven persons in all.

This section lists the descendants of Jacob through Bilhah, Rachel’s handmaid. Dan and Naphtali are mentioned here, with their respective sons. Bilhah’s children, though fewer in number, play a key role in the overall family narrative. The total number of Bilhah’s descendants is recorded as seven. While smaller in size compared to the other family groups, their inclusion emphasizes the completeness of Jacob’s household entering Egypt.

Genesis 46:26-27 (NKJV)
26 All the persons who went with Jacob to Egypt, who came from his body, besides Jacob’s sons’ wives, were sixty-six persons in all.
27 And the sons of Joseph who were born to him in Egypt were two persons. All the persons of the house of Jacob who went to Egypt were seventy.

Here, the total number of Jacob’s direct descendants going to Egypt is summarized. Sixty-six people came directly from Jacob’s body, not counting his sons’ wives. Adding Joseph and his two sons, who were already in Egypt, the total number of Jacob’s household entering Egypt is seventy. This figure marks the beginning of the transformation of this family into the nation of Israel, fulfilling God’s promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Genesis 46:28-30 (NKJV)
28 Then he sent Judah before him to Joseph, to point out before him the way to Goshen. And they came to the land of Goshen.
29 So Joseph made ready his chariot and went up to Goshen to meet his father Israel; and he presented himself to him, and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while.
30 And Israel said to Joseph, “Now let me die, since I have seen your face, because you are still alive.”

Jacob sends Judah ahead to make preparations with Joseph for their arrival in Goshen, a fertile region suitable for shepherding. Joseph, upon seeing his father after years of separation, is overwhelmed with emotion and weeps on his father’s neck. This heartfelt reunion demonstrates the deep love between father and son. Jacob, now feeling complete after being reunited with Joseph, expresses contentment, saying he is ready to die, having witnessed Joseph alive and well.

Genesis 46:31-34 (NKJV)
31 Then Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “I will go up and tell Pharaoh, and say to him, ‘My brothers and those of my father’s house, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me.
32 And the men are shepherds, for their occupation has been to feed livestock, and they have brought their flocks, their herds, and all that they have.’
33 So it shall be, when Pharaoh calls you and says, ‘What is your occupation?’
34 that you shall say, ‘Your servants’ occupation has been with livestock from our youth even till now, both we and also our fathers,’ that you may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.”

Joseph prepares his brothers for their meeting with Pharaoh. He instructs them to tell Pharaoh that they are shepherds, a profession despised by the Egyptians. By doing so, they ensure that they will be given the land of Goshen, separate from the Egyptians, where they can tend their flocks and maintain their distinct way of life. Joseph’s wisdom in arranging this separation preserves both their livelihood and their cultural identity in the land of Egypt.