Genesis 46:1-7

Jacob Leaves for Egypt

1 Israel set out with all that he had and came to Beer-sheba, and he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.

2 That night God spoke to Israel in a vision: "Jacob, Jacob!" He said. And Jacob replied, "Here I am."

3 God said, "I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you a great nation there.^[a]

4 I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you back. Joseph will put his hands on your eyes."^[b]

5 Jacob left Beer-sheba. The sons of Israel took their father Jacob in the wagons Pharaoh had sent to carry him, along with their children and their wives.

6 They also took their cattle and possessions they had acquired in the land of Canaan. Then Jacob and all his children with him went to Egypt.

7 His sons and grandsons, his daughters and granddaughters, indeed all his offspring, he brought with him to Egypt.

Genesis 46:1-7 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]. Gn 15:13-14
• [b]. Joseph will close your eyes after you die