Genesis 46:14

And the sons of Zebulun; Sered, and Elon, and Jahleel.

And the sons {H1121} of Zebulun {H2074}; Sered {H5624}, and Elon {H356}, and Jahleel {H3177}.

The sons of Z'vulun: Sered, Elon and Yachle'el.

The sons of Zebulun: Sered, Elon, and Jahleel.

And the sons of Zebulun: Sered, and Elon, and Jahleel.

Commentary

Genesis 46:14 lists the three sons of Zebulun: Sered, Elon, and Jahleel. This verse is part of a comprehensive genealogical record found in Genesis chapter 46, which details the family of Jacob (also known as Israel) who journeyed to Egypt.

Context

This chapter marks a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, recounting the descent of Jacob and his entire household into Egypt to escape a severe famine, as orchestrated by divine providence through Joseph's earlier arrival and rise to power. The meticulous listing of each family member, including Zebulun's sons, emphasizes the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham to multiply his descendants into a great nation (Genesis 12:2). The inclusion of names like Sered, Elon, and Jahleel underscores the foundational families that would later form the twelve tribes of Israel.

Key Themes

  • God's Faithfulness to His Promises: The very existence and enumeration of Jacob's large family, including Zebulun's lineage, demonstrates God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with the patriarchs. Despite famine and adversity, God preserves and multiplies His chosen people.
  • The Formation of a Nation: This detailed genealogy is not merely a historical record but a theological statement about the nascent stages of Israel's development from a family into a distinct nation. Each name represents a branch of the future tribal structure.
  • Divine Providence: The entire journey to Egypt, which necessitated the recording of these family lines, was part of God's sovereign plan to protect Jacob's family and later bring them out as a mighty nation (see Genesis 50:20 regarding Joseph's perspective on God's good intentions).

Linguistic Insights

While the individual names Sered, Elon, and Jahleel are not extensively expounded upon in scripture beyond this listing, their presence signifies the distinct family branches that would emerge from Zebulun. The name Zebulun itself means "dwelling" or "habitation," which prophetically connects to the future tribal territory and settlement of the tribe of Zebulun in Canaan (Genesis 49:13).

Practical Application

Genesis 46:14, along with the rest of the chapter, reminds us that God is intimately involved in the details of human history and the lives of His people. Even seemingly mundane genealogical lists are significant in His grand narrative of redemption. It encourages us to trust in God's faithfulness to His promises, knowing that His plans for us, individually and collectively, will be fulfilled, often through generations. It also highlights the importance of family and lineage in God's continuing work, even if we are not tracing physical descendants today, we are part of the larger family of faith.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 49:13

    ¶ Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he [shall be] for an haven of ships; and his border [shall be] unto Zidon.

  • 1 Chronicles 2:1

    ¶ These [are] the sons of Israel; Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun,

  • Numbers 1:9

    Of Zebulun; Eliab the son of Helon.

  • Numbers 26:26

    [Of] the sons of Zebulun after their families: of Sered, the family of the Sardites: of Elon, the family of the Elonites: of Jahleel, the family of the Jahleelites.

  • Numbers 26:27

    These [are] the families of the Zebulunites according to those that were numbered of them, threescore thousand and five hundred.

  • Deuteronomy 33:18

    ¶ And of Zebulun he said, Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out; and, Issachar, in thy tents.

  • Deuteronomy 33:19

    They shall call the people unto the mountain; there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness: for they shall suck [of] the abundance of the seas, and [of] treasures hid in the sand.
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