Teach About the Bible

Chapter Summary

Genesis 46 marks a monumental transition for God's chosen people as Jacob, now called Israel, moves his entire family to Egypt. This chapter is a blend of divine reassurance, a detailed family census, and a deeply emotional reunion decades in the making. It captures the moment a family officially begins its journey to becoming the nation God promised, all under His watchful care.

Core Passages from Genesis 46
Genesis 46:3-4Then he said, "I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph's hand shall close your eyes."
God speaks directly to Jacob, calming his fears about leaving the Promised Land. This promise of divine presence and a future return is the catalyst for the entire journey to Egypt.
Genesis 46:27And the sons of Joseph, who were born to him in Egypt, were two. All the persons of the house of Jacob who came into Egypt were seventy.
This verse tallies the total number of Jacob's family entering Egypt at seventy. This number signifies a complete and perfect beginning for the nation that will multiply there.
Genesis 46:29-30Then Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to meet Israel his father in Goshen. He presented himself to him and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while. Israel said to Joseph, "Now let me die, since I have seen your face and know that you are still alive."
The emotional climax of the Joseph story unfolds as he weeps on his father's neck. For Jacob, seeing his long-lost son alive is the fulfillment of his life's deepest longing.

Embracing a divinely ordained future, even amidst the profound emotions of departure and reunion.

Historical & Cultural Context

A Faithful Pause and a Divine Promise

After discovering Joseph is alive, Jacob prepares to leave Canaan, the land God promised his forefathers. He pauses at Beersheba, a place rich with family history where both his father Isaac and grandfather Abraham had encounters with God. This stop is a spiritual waypoint, not merely geographical. Jacob seeks confirmation here before taking such a monumental step away from his homeland.

A Family on the Move, a Nation in the Making

With God's blessing secured, the entire clan of Israel - men, women, children, and all their possessions - makes the journey to Egypt. The narrative then pauses to provide a detailed list of the seventy family members who make the trip. This is the founding document of the nation of Israel, not merely a dry list of names. It marks the exact group from which a great nation will emerge.

A Tearful Reunion and a Strategic Welcome

The journey culminates in the long-awaited reunion between Jacob and Joseph. After twenty-two years of separation and grief, the father and son embrace in a powerful, tearful moment. Following this emotional peak, Joseph shifts into a practical mode, advising his family on how to approach Pharaoh to secure a safe and prosperous place to live in the land of Goshen.

Embracing a divinely orchestrated transition, trusting in providence to guide the unfolding of a sacred lineage.

Israel's Journey to Egypt

The chapter opens with Jacob at a crossroads, standing on the edge of the Promised Land and weighing the decision to move to Egypt. In Genesis 46:1-7, he seeks God's guidance at the historic site of Beersheba. This divine encounter provides the assurance he needs to move his family, setting in motion a pivotal chapter in Israel's history.

God's Blessing at Beersheba (Genesis 46:1-7)

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.
² And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, "Jacob, Jacob." And he said, "Here I am."
³ Then he said, "I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation.
⁴ I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph's hand shall close your eyes."
⁵ Then Jacob set out from Beersheba. The sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons that Pharaoh had sent to carry him.
⁶ They also took their livestock and their goods, which they had gained in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob and all his offspring with him,
⁷ his sons and his sons' sons with him, his daughters, and his sons' daughters. All his offspring he brought with him to Egypt.

Commentary:

God gives Jacob the go-ahead to move to Egypt, promising His presence and a future return.

Before leaving the land promised to his family, Jacob wisely stops to worship and seek God's will. God responds in a vision, telling him not to be afraid and renewing the promise to make him a great nation. He even promises to go down into Egypt with Jacob and to bring his descendants back one day. This divine reassurance is the green light Jacob needed. With this blessing, the entire family, carried by wagons sent from Pharaoh himself, officially begins their migration to Egypt.

Related Verse Analysis

Understanding Genesis 46:3-4: God's Presence in Transition

The Seventy Who Went to Egypt (Genesis 46:8-27)

⁸ Now these are the names of the descendants of Israel, who came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons. Reuben, Jacob's firstborn.
⁹ The sons of Reuben: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
¹⁰ The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul, the son of a Canaanite woman.
¹¹ And the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
¹² The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah (but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan); and the sons of Perez were Hezron and Hamul.
¹³ The sons of Issachar: Tola, Puvah, Yob, and Shimron.
¹⁴ The sons of Zebulun: Sered, Elon, and Jahleel.
¹⁵ These are the sons of Leah, whom she bore to Jacob in Paddan-aram, together with his daughter Dinah; altogether his sons and his daughters numbered thirty-three.
¹⁶ The sons of Gad: Ziphion, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi, and Areli.
¹⁷ The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, with 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 bore to Jacob - sixteen persons.
¹⁹ The sons of Rachel, Jacob's wife: Joseph and Benjamin.
²⁰ To Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera the priest of On, bore to him.
²¹ The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard.
²² The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin.
²³ And the sons of Dan: Hushim.
²⁴ The sons of Naphtali: Jahzeel, Guni, Jezer, and Shillem.
²⁵ These are the sons of Bilhah, whom Laban gave to Rachel his daughter, and these she bore to Jacob - seven persons in all.
²⁶ All the persons belonging to Jacob who came into Egypt, who were his own descendants, not including 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. All the persons of the house of Jacob who came into Egypt were seventy.

Commentary:

A detailed family tree lists the seventy descendants of Jacob who form the foundation of the nation of Israel.

This section provides a detailed census of the family of Jacob, listing his sons and grandsons who made the journey. While it might seem like a simple list, its inclusion is incredibly significant. It serves as the official record of the founding members of the twelve tribes of Israel. The final count of seventy people is symbolic, representing a complete and divinely ordained beginning. These seventy individuals are the seed from which the nation promised to Abraham will grow and multiply during their time in Egypt.

Related Verse Analysis

The Meaning of Genesis 46:27: Seventy Enter Egypt

A Father and Son Reunited (Genesis 46:28-30)

²⁸ He had sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to show the way before him in Goshen, and they came into the land of Goshen.
²⁹ Then Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to meet Israel his father in Goshen. He presented himself to him and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while.
³⁰ Israel said to Joseph, "Now let me die, since I have seen your face and know that you are still alive."

Commentary:

Joseph and Jacob share a deeply emotional reunion, fulfilling the old man's final wish.

The narrative shifts from logistics to pure emotion. Jacob sends Judah ahead to arrange the meeting, and then Joseph, the powerful ruler of Egypt, rides out in his chariot to meet his humble, aging father. The reunion is overwhelming. Joseph falls on his father's neck and weeps for a long time. For Jacob, this moment is the pinnacle of his life. Having seen his beloved son alive, he feels he can now die in peace, his heart full and his deepest prayer answered.

Related Verse Analysis

Understanding Genesis 46:29 in Depth: Tears of Reunion

A Strategy for Goshen (Genesis 46:31-34)

³¹ Then Joseph said to his brothers and to his father's household, "I will go up and tell Pharaoh and will say to him, 'My brothers and my father's household, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me.
³² and the men are shepherds, for they have been keepers of livestock, and they have brought their flocks and their herds and all that they have.
³³ When Pharaoh calls you and says, ‘What is your occupation?’
³⁴ you shall say, 'Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we and our fathers,' in order that you may dwell in the land of Goshen, for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians."

Commentary:

Joseph wisely instructs his family on how to secure the best land in Egypt by being honest about their occupation.

After the reunion, Joseph's practical wisdom comes to the forefront. He prepares his family for their meeting with Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. He instructs them to be upfront about their occupation as shepherds. This was a clever strategy because Egyptians looked down on shepherds, which meant Pharaoh would likely give them their own separate region, Goshen, to live in. This would allow them to thrive as a community and preserve their unique identity without being fully absorbed into Egyptian culture.

God's Unfolding Plan in a New Land

God's Constant Presence

The most comforting promise God gives Jacob is, "I myself will go down with you to Egypt." This shows that God's presence isn't limited to the Promised Land. He is with His people wherever they go, guiding and protecting them even in foreign territory.

The Fulfillment of Promises

The move to Egypt might seem like a detour, but it's actually a crucial step in God's plan. He tells Jacob that in Egypt, He will make his family into a "great nation." The list of seventy descendants is the tangible start of this promise, which will come to fruition over the next 400 years.

Family Redemption and Reunion

The tearful embrace between Jacob and Joseph is the emotional heart of the story. It represents the healing of deep family wounds and the beautiful restoration that God can bring about even after decades of pain and separation. It's a powerful picture of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Embracing the journey from past struggles to future blessings through unwavering faith and divine direction.

Living Out the Lessons from Goshen

How does God's promise to Jacob in Genesis 46:3-4 encourage us when facing uncertain transitions?

When you face a major life change, like a new job or a move, it's natural to feel afraid. God's words to Jacob, "Do not be afraid... I myself will go down with you," reminds us that He does not send you into the unknown alone. He promises His presence to guide and sustain you through every step of the journey.

The list of names seems tedious, but it was vital for Israel. What does this teach us about the importance of every individual in God's plan?

The detailed list in verses 8-27 shows that God sees and values each person. You are a named and known individual to Him, not merely a face in the crowd. You have a specific role in His larger story. This reminds us that every person in our community and family matters deeply to God.

Joseph used his position and wisdom to care for his family (Genesis 46:31-34). How can we use our own skills and resources to serve and protect our loved ones?

Joseph's strategy to secure Goshen shows him using his influence for the good of his family. You can apply this by using your unique skills - whether in planning, hospitality, or professional expertise - to create a safe and supportive environment for your family and community. It's about using what God has given you to bless those He has placed around you.

God's Faithfulness on the Journey

Genesis 46 shows that God's plan for His people often involves unexpected journeys into foreign lands. The move to Egypt was not a sign of a failed promise, but the very means by which God would protect and multiply His chosen family. The message is that God's presence is not tied to a place, but to His people. He faithfully guides them through every transition, turning moments of fear into scenes of joyful reunion and provision.

What This Means for Us Today

Jacob's journey to Egypt began with an act of faith, trusting God's promise to be with him in a new and intimidating place. This chapter invites us to embrace our own journeys with the same trust, knowing that God's presence goes with us. He is faithful to guide us, provide for us, and orchestrate beautiful reunions and restorations along the way.

Where in your life do you need to trust God's promise, "Do not be afraid"?
Who in your life needs the encouragement that God is with them, even when they feel far from home?
How can you use your resources and position to create a 'Goshen' - a place of safety and provision - for your family or community?

Embracing divine guidance through life's transitions.

Discussion Questions

Jacob was afraid to leave the familiar Promised Land for the uncertainty of Egypt. When have you felt God leading you into an unfamiliar situation, and how did you handle the fear?
The reunion between Jacob and Joseph is one of the most moving scenes in the Bible. What does their embrace teach us about forgiveness, restoration, and the power of family bonds?
Joseph instructed his family to be honest about their identity as shepherds, even though Egyptians disliked them. How can we be true to our identity in Christ while living in a culture that may not understand or value it?