Genesis 46:5

5 And Jacob rose up from the well of the oath; and the sons of Israel took up their father, and the baggage, and their wives on the waggons, which Joseph sent to take them.

Genesis 46:5 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 46:5

And Jacob rose up from Beersheba
In high spirits, and proceeded on in his journey, being encouraged and animated by the promises of God now made unto him: 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;
it may be wondered at that Joseph did not send his chariot to fetch his father; it could not be for want of due respect and honour to him, but it may be such a carriage was not fit for so long a journey, and especially to travel in, in some parts of the road through which they went: no mention being made of Jacob's wives, it may be presumed they were all now dead; it is certain Rachel was, see ( Genesis 35:19 ) ; and it is more than probable that Leah died before this time, since Jacob says he buried her himself in Machpelah in Canaan, ( Genesis 49:31 ) ; and it is very likely also that his two concubine wives Bilhah and Zilpah were also dead, since no notice is taken of them.

Genesis 46:5 In-Context

3 And he says to him, I am the God of thy fathers; fear not to go down into Egypt, for I will make thee there a great nation.

4 And I will go down with thee into Egypt, and I will bring thee up at the end; and Joseph shall put his hands on thine eyes.

5 And Jacob rose up from the well of the oath; and the sons of Israel took up their father, and the baggage, and their wives on the waggons, which Joseph sent to take them.

6 And they took up their goods, and all their property, which they had gotten in the land of Chanaan; they came into the land of Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him.

7 The sons, and the sons of his sons with him; daughters, and the daughters of his daughters; and he brought all his seed into Egypt.