Short answer: Genesis 46 records Jacob's journey to Egypt with his entire household, God's reassuring vision at Beersheba, the census of seventy souls who entered Egypt, and the emotional reunion between Jacob and Joseph. The chapter marks the migration of Israel into Egypt, setting the stage for the Exodus.
Introduction
Genesis 46 is a chapter of transition. Jacob leaves the Promised Land for Egypt, but not without divine reassurance. At Beersheba, God speaks to Jacob, promising to make him a great nation in Egypt and to bring him back to Canaan. The detailed genealogy of those who entered Egypt establishes the seventy souls who would become the nation of Israel.
God's Vision at Beersheba (46:1-7)
Israel travels to Beersheba, the southern boundary of the Promised Land, where both Abraham and Isaac had built altars. He offers sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. That night, God speaks to Israel in visions. The message is one of reassurance: 'I am God, the God of your father. Don't be afraid to go down into Egypt, for I will make you a great nation there. I will go down with you into Egypt, and I will surely bring you up again. Joseph will close your eyes.' This divine permission and promise is crucial — Jacob is not abandoning the Promised Land in unbelief but going with God's blessing and promise of return.
Israel traveled with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father, Isaac. God spoke to Israel in the visions of the night, and said, “Jacob, Jacob!” He said, “Here I am.” He said, “I am God, the God of your father. Don’t be afraid to go down into Egypt, for there I will make of you a great nation. I will go down with you into Egypt. I will also surely bring you up again. Joseph’s hand will close your eyes.” Jacob rose up from Beersheba, and the sons of Israel carried Jacob, their father, their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him. They took their livestock, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt—Jacob, and all his offspring with him, his sons, and his sons’ sons with him, his daughters, and his sons’ daughters, and he brought all his offspring with him into Egypt.
Genesis 46:1-7 (World English Bible)
The Census of Jacob's Household (46:8-27)
The chapter provides a detailed genealogy of all who entered Egypt with Jacob. The list is organized by mothers: Leah's descendants (thirty-three including Judah's sons Er and Onan who died in Canaan), Zilpah's descendants (sixteen), Rachel's descendants (fourteen, including Joseph's sons born in Egypt), and Bilhah's descendants (seven). The total is seventy souls. This number becomes foundational — seventy is the complete number of Israel's household when they entered Egypt, destined to become a great nation.
These are the names of the children of Israel, who came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn. The sons of Reuben: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman. The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. The sons of Judah: 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 sons of Issachar: Tola, Puvah, Iob, and Shimron. The sons of Zebulun: Sered, Elon, and Jahleel. These are the sons of Leah, whom she bore to Jacob in Paddan Aram, with his daughter Dinah. All the souls of his sons and his daughters were thirty-three. The sons of Gad: Ziphion, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi, and Areli. The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and Serah their sister. The sons of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel. These are the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah, his daughter, and these she bore to Jacob, even sixteen souls. The sons of Rachel, Jacob’s wife: Joseph and Benjamin. To Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, bore to him. The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard. These are the sons of Rachel, who were born to Jacob: all the souls were fourteen. The son of Dan: Hushim. The sons of Naphtali: Jahzeel, Guni, Jezer, and Shillem. These are the sons of Bilhah, whom Laban gave to Rachel, his daughter, and these she bore to Jacob: all the souls were seven. All the souls who came with Jacob into Egypt, who were his direct offspring, in addition to Jacob’s sons’ wives, all the souls were sixty-six. The sons of Joseph, who were born to him in Egypt, were two souls. All the souls of the house of Jacob, who came into Egypt, were seventy.
Genesis 46:8-27 (World English Bible)
Judah Sent Ahead (46:28-34)
Jacob sends Judah ahead to Joseph to prepare for the arrival. Judah has emerged as a leader among the brothers, and this assignment confirms his new role. Joseph prepares his chariot and goes to Goshen to meet his father. When they meet, Joseph falls on his neck and weeps. Israel, overwhelmed, declares: 'Now let me die, since I have seen your face, that you are still alive.' Joseph instructs his brothers on what to tell Pharaoh: they are shepherds, which will ensure they are settled separately in Goshen. The separation preserves Israel's distinct identity.
Jacob sent Judah before him to Joseph, to show the way before him to Goshen, and they came into the land of Goshen. 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, that you are still alive.” Joseph said to his brothers, and to his father’s house, “I will go up, and speak with Pharaoh, and will tell him, ‘My brothers, and my father’s house, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me. These men are shepherds, for they have been keepers of livestock, and they have brought their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have.’ It will happen, when Pharaoh summons you, and will say, ‘What is your occupation?’ that you shall say, ‘Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we, and our fathers:’ that you may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.”
Genesis 46:28-34 (World English Bible)
Key Themes in Genesis 46
This transitional chapter presents several significant themes. First, divine guidance in relocation: God explicitly tells Jacob not to fear going to Egypt, promising to make him a great nation there and to bring him back. This legitimizes Israel's sojourn in Egypt as part of God's redemptive plan. Second, the number seventy represents completeness and the foundational generation of Israel. The careful listing of seventy souls emphasizes that God is counting and preserving His people. Third, the theme of separation: Israel is settled in Goshen, apart from the Egyptians, preserving their distinct identity as a covenant people. Fourth, the reunion of Jacob and Joseph after more than twenty years demonstrates that God restores what was lost. The chapter ends with Israel settled in the best of Egypt, fruitful and multiplying — the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did God tell Jacob not to be afraid to go to Egypt?
Going to Egypt meant leaving the Promised Land, which was a significant step of faith. God's reassurance addressed Jacob's natural fear of leaving Canaan and confirmed that this move was part of God's plan. God promised to make Jacob a great nation there and to bring him back — a promise fulfilled in the Exodus.
Why is the number seventy significant in Genesis 46?
Seventy represents completeness and the foundational generation of Israel. The seventy souls who entered Egypt became the nation of Israel. This number is later reflected in the seventy elders of Israel (Exodus 24:9) and the seventy disciples sent out by Jesus (Luke 10:1).
Why did Joseph tell his brothers to emphasize they are shepherds?
Egyptians considered shepherds an abomination, so telling Pharaoh they were shepherds would ensure they were settled separately in Goshen. This separation preserved Israel's distinct identity and prevented assimilation into Egyptian culture, which was essential for their future as a covenant people.
Biblical Fidelity Check
This article faithfully presents the biblical account of Jacob's migration to Egypt as recorded in Genesis 46. The narrative of God's promise at Beersheba, the census of seventy souls, and the reunion of Jacob and Joseph are drawn directly from the World English Bible translation.
Related Bible Studies
- Genesis 45 — Joseph Reveals Himself
- Genesis 47 — Jacob Before Pharaoh
- Genesis 50 — Joseph's Final Years
- Genesis 12 — Abraham's Call
Grow in Your Faith
Deepen your understanding of Scripture with our free weekly Bible study newsletter. Each edition includes chapter summaries, theological insights, and practical applications for your walk with God.
If this study has blessed you, please consider supporting our ministry. Your generosity helps us continue producing free, faithful, verse-by-verse Bible study content for believers around the world.
