1 And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac.
2 And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here [am] I.
3 And he said, I [am] God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:
4 I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up [again]: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes.
5 And Jacob rose up from Beersheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him.
6 And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him:
7 His sons, and his sons’ sons with him, his daughters, and his sons’ daughters, and all his seed brought he with him into Egypt.
8 And these [are] the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn.
9 And the sons of Reuben; Hanoch, and Phallu, and Hezron, and Carmi.
10 And the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman.
11 And the sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
12 And the sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah, and Pharez, and Zerah: but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. And the sons of Pharez were Hezron and Hamul.
13 And the sons of Issachar; Tola, and Phuvah, and Job, and Shimron.
14 And the sons of Zebulun; Sered, and Elon, and Jahleel.
15 These [be] the sons of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob in Padanaram, with his daughter Dinah: all the souls of his sons and his daughters [were] thirty and three.
16 And the sons of Gad; Ziphion, and Haggi, Shuni, and Ezbon, Eri, and Arodi, and Areli.
17 And the sons of Asher; Jimnah, and Ishuah, and Isui, and Beriah, and Serah their sister: and the sons of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel.
18 These [are] the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah his daughter, and these she bare unto Jacob, [even] sixteen souls.
19 The sons of Rachel Jacob’s wife; Joseph, and Benjamin.
20 And unto Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him.
21 And the sons of Benjamin [were] Belah, and Becher, and Ashbel, Gera, and Naaman, Ehi, and Rosh, Muppim, and Huppim, and Ard.
22 These [are] the sons of Rachel, which were born to Jacob: all the souls [were] fourteen.
23 And the sons of Dan; Hushim.
24 And the sons of Naphtali; Jahzeel, and Guni, and Jezer, and Shillem.
25 These [are] the sons of Bilhah, which Laban gave unto Rachel his daughter, and she bare these unto Jacob: all the souls [were] seven.
26 All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, which came out of his loins, besides Jacob’s sons’ wives, all the souls [were] threescore and six;
27 And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, [were] two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, [were] threescore and ten.
28 And he sent Judah before him unto Joseph, to direct his face unto Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen.
29 And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.
30 And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou [art] yet alive.
31 And Joseph said unto his brethren, and unto his father’s house, I will go up, and shew Pharaoh, and say unto him, My brethren, and my father’s house, which [were] in the land of Canaan, are come unto me;
32 And the men [are] shepherds, for their trade hath been to feed cattle; and they have brought their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have.
33 And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, and shall say, What [is] your occupation?
34 That ye shall say, Thy servants’ trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, [and] also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd [is] an abomination unto the Egyptians.
Overview of Genesis Chapter 46
Genesis Chapter 46 narrates a pivotal moment in the story of Jacob and his family as they prepare to move to Egypt during a time of famine. This chapter highlights themes of family, faith, and divine providence, as well as the fulfillment of God’s promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Key Themes
- Family and Reunion: The chapter emphasizes the importance of family ties, showcasing the reunion of Jacob with his son Joseph after many years of separation.
- Faith and Obedience: Jacob’s decision to move to Egypt is a significant act of faith, as he seeks guidance from God before making this life-altering choice.
- Divine Providence: The narrative illustrates God’s control over events, as the migration to Egypt is part of a larger plan for the Israelites.
Summary of Events
- Jacob’s Journey to Egypt: The chapter opens with Jacob receiving the news that Joseph is alive and is the governor of Egypt. This revelation prompts Jacob to prepare for the journey.
- God’s Assurance: Before departing, Jacob stops at Beersheba to offer sacrifices to God. God speaks to Jacob, reassuring him that moving to Egypt is part of His plan and promising to make Jacob a great nation there.
- The Family’s Migration: Jacob gathers his family and possessions, and they set out for Egypt. The chapter lists the names of Jacob’s descendants who accompany him, underscoring the significance of family lineage.
- Arrival in Egypt: The chapter concludes with Jacob and his family arriving in Egypt, where they are reunited with Joseph, marking a significant moment in the narrative.
Character Analysis
- Jacob: A complex character who demonstrates both fear and faith. His willingness to move to Egypt shows his trust in God’s plan despite his initial apprehensions.
- Joseph: Represents forgiveness and reconciliation, having risen to power in Egypt while maintaining a strong connection to his family.
- God: Portrayed as a guiding force, providing reassurance and direction to Jacob during a time of uncertainty.
Significance of the Chapter
Genesis 46 serves as a crucial turning point in the biblical narrative, setting the stage for the Israelites’ eventual enslavement in Egypt and their subsequent liberation. The chapter reinforces the themes of faith, family, and divine intervention, illustrating how God’s plans unfold through human actions and relationships.
Conclusion
This chapter encapsulates the essence of the patriarchal narrative, emphasizing the importance of lineage and God’s promises. Jacob’s journey to Egypt is not merely a physical relocation but a significant step in the unfolding story of the Israelite people.
