45:16–47:12
This section marks a transition as the family moved from Canaan to Goshen, where they would live for the next 400years.
Study notes
Genesis 46
45:16–50:26 Section
Before leaving Canaan, Jacob worshipped God at Beersheba. God appeared to him in a vision. God spoke parts of the covenant again. God promised to bring Jacob’s family back to the land of Canaan.
Abraham’s family line had grown very large. Joseph used his authority to provide land for Jacob’s family. They could continue their work as shepherds in Goshen. Joseph also used his authority to provide food for the Egyptians and people from other lands. The way he did this made Pharaoh richer and more powerful. Later this would cause problems for Abraham’s family line. God had warned Abraham about these problems in Genesis 15:13.
Jacob adopted Joseph’s sons Ephraim and Manasseh as his own. After speaking the father’s blessing to his sons, Jacob died. After Jacob’s death the brothers were afraid that Joseph would finally harm them. But Joseph had fully forgiven his brothers. Though he had suffered a lot, God had saved many lives through him. This was one way that Abraham’s family line was a blessing to others.
It was very important both to Jacob and to Joseph to be buried in Canaan. They trusted God’s promise to give the land of Canaan to Abraham’s family line.
46:1
set out: A little over 200 years earlier, Abraham also went to Egypt during a famine in Canaan (12:10), and God protected him there.
Jacob first stopped at Beersheba, where Abraham had sacrificed and worshiped the Lord. This was after resolving land and water rights with the Philistines (21:31–33). Isaac had lived there, and Jacob had lived there before fleeing from Esau’s anger (28:10).
all that he had: See 46:5–7.
46:1–4
God reassured Jacob about his move to Egypt.
46:2–4
In a night vision, the Lord promised Jacob that he would be with him and make his family a great nation in Egypt. The same God who led them into Egypt promised to bring them back to live in Canaan.
46:4
will close your eyes: He would have a peaceful death, surrounded by his family and many blessings from God (49:33).
46:8–27
This family history of Jacob's sons shows that all the tribes of Israel went to Egypt together. They would also leave together (see the book of Exodus).
46:20
On: See study note on 41:45.
46:26
numbered sixty-six persons: This includes those who traveled with Jacob to Egypt. But it does not include his sons' wives, the servants, or others in the household. It also does not include Joseph, Ephraim, Manasseh, and Jacob.
46:27
seventy: This includes Joseph, Ephraim, Manasseh, and Jacob. Seventy is a symbolic number for perfection or completion (see “Symbolic Numbers” Theme Note). From these seventy (meaning all of Israel), the nation of Israel would grow and bless the seventy nations (meaning all the nations) of the world (see study note on Genesis 10:2–32; compare 12:3).
46:28–34
Jacob was full of joy when he finally saw his son Joseph again.
46:29
embraced him, and wept profusely: Joseph was 17 when he last saw his father (37:2). Now, he was 39.
46:30
Jacob was happy to see his beloved son alive. This son was the firstborn of his chosen wife Rachel and the designated family leader (see study note on 48:5–7; see also 1 Chronicles 5:1–2). This was more than a family reunion. It confirmed that God's plan was still in place.
46:34
The Canaanites would have mixed with the Israelites if they stayed in Canaan. But, Egyptians disliked Semitic shepherds due to ethnic pride and kept them separate (see 43:32). When Jacob’s family settled in Egypt, this separation helped them increase into a large nation while keeping their identity.
Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources