Genesis 46:1

Joseph Brings His Family to Egypt

1 So Israel took his journey with all that he had and came to 1Beersheba, and offered sacrifices 2to the God of his father Isaac.

Genesis 46:1 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 46:1

And Israel took his journey with all that he had
Set forward in it immediately, as soon as possible after he had resolved to take it, and with him he took all his children and grandchildren, and all his cattle and goods; which shows that he took his journey not only to see his son Joseph, but to continue in Egypt, at least during the years of famine, as his son desired he would, otherwise there would have been no occasion of taking all along with him: and came to Beersheba:
where he and his ancestors Abraham and Isaac had formerly lived; a place where sacrifices had often been offered up, and the worship of God performed, and much communion enjoyed with him. This is said to be sixteen miles from Hebron F14, where Jacob dwelt, and according to Musculus was six German miles from it: and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac;
which were attended with prayer and praise; with praise for hearing that his son Joseph was alive, and with prayer that he might have a good, safe, and prosperous journey.


FOOTNOTES:

F14 Bunting's Travels, p. 72.

Genesis 46:1 In-Context

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 am I."
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.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Genesis 21:31, 33; Genesis 26:33; Genesis 28:10
  • 2. Genesis 26:24, 25; Genesis 28:13; Genesis 31:42
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.