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genesis-46-nkjv

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Genesis 46

Jacob’s Family Moves to Egypt

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Full Text (NKJV)

Genesis 46:1-34

So Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. Then God spoke to Israel in the visions of the night, and said, “Jacob, Jacob!”

And he said, “Here I am.”

So He said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there. I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again; and Joseph will put his hand on your eyes.”

Then Jacob arose from Beersheba; and the sons of Israel carried their father Jacob, their little ones, and their wives, in the carts which Pharaoh had sent to carry him. So they took their livestock and their goods, which they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and went to Egypt, Jacob and all his descendants with him. His sons and his sons’ sons, his daughters and his sons’ daughters, and all his descendants he brought with him to Egypt.

Now these were the names of the children of Israel who went to Egypt: Jacob and his sons… (The chapter lists all the names of Jacob’s descendants who went down to Egypt — 70 souls in total.)

Then he sent Judah before him to Joseph, to point out before him the way to Goshen. And they came to the land of Goshen. So Joseph made ready his chariot and went up to Goshen to meet his father Israel; and he presented himself to him, and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while.

And Israel said to Joseph, “Now let me die, since I have seen your face, because you are still alive.”

Then Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “I will go up and tell Pharaoh, and say to him, ‘My brothers and those of my father’s house, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me. And the men are shepherds, for their occupation has been to feed livestock; and they have brought their flocks, their herds, and all that they have.’ So it shall be, when Pharaoh calls you and says, ‘What is your occupation?’ that you shall say, ‘Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we and also our fathers,’ that you may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.”

Historical Context

The move of a large Semitic family/clan into the eastern Delta region of Egypt (Goshen) during times of famine is historically plausible. The eastern Delta (Goshen) was a fertile area often used to settle foreign herdsmen. Egyptian records show periods where Semitic peoples were allowed to settle in border regions during economic hardship. The distinction between Egyptians and shepherds is also attested in ancient sources.

Bull’s Eye: How Genesis 46 Points to Yeshua

Jacob’s entire family moves to Egypt under Joseph’s protection.

  • God reassures Jacob: “I will go down with you to Egypt… and I will also surely bring you up again.”
  • Joseph is reunited with his father and provides for the whole family.
  • The move to Egypt sets the stage for the future Exodus and the birth of the nation of Israel.

Yeshua Connection:

  • Yeshua is the greater Joseph who calls His family (the Church) to come to Him for safety and provision.
  • Just as God went down with Jacob into Egypt, Yeshua came down to earth with us in our suffering and will one day bring us up again in resurrection.
  • The preservation of Jacob’s family in Egypt foreshadows how Yeshua preserves and provides for God’s people.

Key Truth:
God goes with His people into difficult places and promises to bring them out again. Yeshua is our constant companion and ultimate Deliverer.

Cross-References