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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 Zarah: 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; Imnah, and Ishvah, and Ishvi, 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, beside 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 show 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.
🌿 God’s Divine Plan and the Journey of Jacob 🌿
“And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac.” – Genesis 46:1
Genesis 46 is a significant chapter in the story of God’s unfolding plan for Israel. It marks the moment when Jacob, also known as Israel, is called by God to leave Canaan and journey to Egypt, where his son Joseph has risen to power. The chapter emphasizes God’s faithfulness in continuing His covenant promises through the patriarchs, despite the changes in circumstances. This journey reveals the depth of God’s sovereignty and His guidance for His people.
Through the eyes of Jacob, we witness a moment of transition from the land of promise to a foreign land. However, this move is not without divine assurance—God promises to be with Jacob, providing comfort and security. This chapter shows us how God leads His people, even through moments of uncertainty, and how His plan unfolds over generations.
📜 Structure of Genesis Chapter 46
Verses 1–4: Jacob’s Departure from Canaan
Jacob, in obedience to God, sets out with all his possessions and family, making his way from Canaan to Egypt. At Beersheba, Jacob offers sacrifices to God, seeking His blessing before the journey. Here, God speaks to Jacob in a vision, reassuring him that He will be with him in Egypt and that his descendants will become a great nation.
Key Insight: This divine reassurance marks the continuation of the covenant with Abraham and Isaac. God’s faithfulness extends across generations, offering comfort during times of transition.
Verses 5–7: The Family of Israel
The genealogy of Jacob’s family is presented, highlighting the 70 individuals who accompany Jacob to Egypt. The list includes Jacob’s sons, their children, and the wives of his sons. This family represents the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham that his descendants would become a great nation.
Key Insight: The family’s relocation to Egypt is a key moment in the fulfillment of God’s promises to Abraham. While the family moves to a foreign land, their identity as God’s chosen people remains central to God’s plan.
Verses 8–27: The Listing of the Descendants of Jacob
This section contains a detailed listing of Jacob’s descendants, including his sons, their children, and the tribes they would father. It emphasizes the total number of people in Israel’s family as they journey to Egypt.
Key Insight: This listing serves as a reminder of God’s promise to multiply Abraham’s descendants, ensuring that His chosen people would become a mighty nation.
Verses 28–30: The Reunion of Jacob and Joseph
Jacob and his family arrive in the land of Goshen, where they are reunited with Joseph. Jacob, filled with joy, expresses his gratitude to God for allowing him to see Joseph alive before his death. This reunion represents a significant emotional and spiritual milestone in Jacob’s life.
Key Insight: This reunion is a moment of God’s grace and faithfulness, affirming that even in the darkest of circumstances, God’s plan prevails.
Verses 31–34: Joseph’s Instructions for His Family
Joseph instructs his brothers to inform Pharaoh that they are shepherds, a profession abhorred by Egyptians. He assures them that Pharaoh will allow them to settle in the land of Goshen, where they can thrive away from Egyptian society. This is an important moment of strategic positioning for the Israelites.
Key Insight: Joseph’s wisdom in directing his family shows how God works through individuals to position His people according to His plan.
💡 Key Themes
✨ God’s Sovereignty in Leading His People
Throughout this chapter, we see how God directs Jacob’s journey and assures him of His presence. Despite the uncertainties of the move, God’s sovereign will guides Israel into Egypt, setting the stage for the fulfillment of His promises to Abraham.
✨ Continuity of the Covenant
God’s covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is central to this chapter. His promises are unwavering, and this journey to Egypt reaffirms the unbroken thread of God’s faithfulness throughout the generations.
✨ Divine Assurance and Comfort
God’s vision to Jacob in Beersheba provides the assurance that He will accompany the Israelites into Egypt. This promise is a powerful reminder that God’s presence provides peace and comfort during times of change.
👤 Key People
- Jacob (Israel) – The patriarch of the Israelites, whose obedience to God sets the course for his family’s future.
- Joseph – The son of Jacob, who has risen to power in Egypt and orchestrates the reunion with his family.
- Pharaoh – The Egyptian ruler, whose interaction with Joseph’s family plays a key role in the Israelites’ settlement in Egypt.
🔥 Why This Chapter Matters
Genesis 46 teaches us about God’s faithful leadership and His ability to guide His people through uncertain times. Jacob’s journey to Egypt underscores the continuity of God’s promises, even in the midst of change. The chapter also highlights the importance of trusting God’s plan, even when it leads us to unfamiliar territory.
💭 Let’s Reflect
- How does God lead you in times of transition? Do you trust His guidance as Jacob did?
- Reflect on a time when you experienced God’s reassurance during a moment of uncertainty. How did that shape your faith?
- What can we learn from Joseph’s wisdom in guiding his family in the land of Egypt?
❓Ready to Go Deeper?
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