Genesis 46:8-34

Jacob's Family

8 These are the names of the Israelites, Jacob and his descendants, who went to Egypt: Jacob's firstborn: Reuben.

9 Reuben's sons: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.

10 Simeon's sons: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul, the son of a Canaanite woman.

11 Levi's sons: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

12 Judah's sons: Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah; but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. Perez's sons: Hezron and Hamul.

13 Issachar's sons: Tola, Puvah,^[a] Jashub,^[b] and Shimron.

14 Zebulun's sons: Sered, Elon, and Jahleel.

15 These were Leah's sons born to Jacob in Paddan-aram, as well as his daughter Dinah. The total number of persons:^[c] 33.

16 Gad's sons: Ziphion, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi, and Areli.

17 Asher's sons: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and their sister Serah. Beriah's sons were Heber and Malchiel.

18 These were the sons of Zilpah-whom Laban gave to his daughter Leah-that she bore to Jacob: 16 persons.

19 The sons of Jacob's wife Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin.

20 Manasseh and Ephraim were born to Joseph in the land of Egypt. They were born to him by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, a priest at On.^[d]

21 Benjamin's sons: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard.

22 These were Rachel's sons who were born to Jacob: 14 persons.

23 Dan's son:^[e] Hashum.

24 Naphtali's sons: Jahzeel, Guni, Jezer, and Shillem.

25 These were the sons of Bilhah, whom Laban gave to his daughter Rachel. She bore to Jacob: seven persons.

26 The total number of persons belonging to Jacob-his direct descendants,^[f] not including the wives of Jacob's sons-who came to Egypt: 66.

27 And Joseph's sons who were born to him in Egypt: two persons. All those of Jacob's household who had come to Egypt: 70^[g] persons.

Jacob Arrives in Egypt

28 Now Jacob had sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to prepare for his arrival^[h] at Goshen. When they came to the land of Goshen,

29 Joseph hitched [the horses to] his chariot and went up to Goshen to meet his father Israel. Joseph presented himself to him, threw his arms around him, and wept for a long time.

30 Then Israel said to Joseph, "At last I can die, now that I have seen your face [and know] you are still alive!"

31 Joseph said to his brothers and to his father's household, "I will go up and inform Pharaoh, telling him: My brothers and my father's household, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me.

32 The men are shepherds; indeed they raise livestock. They have brought their sheep and cattle and all that they have.

33 When Pharaoh addresses you and asks, 'What is your occupation?'

34 you are to say, 'Your servants, both we and our fathers, have raised livestock^[i] from our youth until now.' Then you will be allowed to settle in the land of Goshen, since all shepherds are abhorrent to Egyptians."

Genesis 46:8-34 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 46

In this chapter we are told, that Jacob with all his family and substance took a journey to Egypt to see his son Joseph, as he determined, in which he was encouraged to proceed by a vision from God, Ge 46:1-7; and an account is given of all his sons, his sons' sons and daughters that went thither with him, Ge 46:8-27; when he came near to Egypt he sent Judah before him to Joseph, to acquaint him of his coming, who met him at Goshen, where there was a most affectionate interview between them, Ge 46:28-30; and when he gave directions and instructions what answers to give to Pharaoh's questions, when they should appear before him, to whom he proposed to go and inform him of their being come into Egypt, Ge 46:31-34.

Footnotes

• [a]. Sam, Syr read Puah; 1 Ch 7:1
• [b]. Sam, LXX; MT reads Iob
• [c]. Lit All persons his sons and his daughters
• [d]. Or Heliopolis
• [e]. Alt Hb tradition reads sons
• [f]. Lit Jacob who came out from his loins
• [g]. LXX reads 75; Ac 7:14
• [h]. Lit to give directions before him
• [i]. Lit fathers, are men of livestock