Genesis 46:15

KJV

These [be] the sons of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob in Padanaram, with his daughter Dinah: all the souls of his sons and his daughters [were] thirty and three.

KJV (with Strong's)

These be the sons {H1121} of Leah {H3812}, which she bare {H3205} unto Jacob {H3290} in Padanaram {H6307}, with his daughter {H1323} Dinah {H1783}: all the souls {H5315} of his sons {H1121} and his daughters {H1323} were thirty {H7970} and three {H7969}.

Complete Jewish Bible

These were the children of Le'ah whom she bore to Ya'akov in Paddan-Aram, with his daughter Dinah. In sum, his sons and daughters numbered thirty-three.

Berean Standard Bible

These are the sons of Leah born to Jacob in Paddan-aram, in addition to his daughter Dinah. The total number of sons and daughters was thirty-three.

American Standard Version

These are the sons of Leah, whom she bare unto Jacob in Paddan-aram, with his daughter Dinah: all the souls of his sons and his daughters were thirty and three.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 46:15 meticulously enumerates the thirty-three descendants of Leah—comprising her six sons and daughter Dinah—who were born to Jacob during his sojourn in Padanaram. This precise genealogical entry is an integral part of the broader account detailing Jacob's entire household migrating to Egypt, serving to underscore the initial, divinely orchestrated growth of the covenant family as a prelude to their development into a great nation, thereby fulfilling God's steadfast promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a comprehensive genealogical record found in [Genesis 46:8-27](/genesis/46-8-27 "The Full List of Jacob's Family Entering Egypt"), which meticulously lists all seventy (or seventy-five, depending on the textual tradition) members of Jacob's household who journeyed to Egypt. Specifically, [Genesis 46:15](/genesis/46-15 "Genesis 46:15 - Leah's Descendants") immediately follows the introductory statement to this grand enumeration (Genesis 46:8) and initiates the detailed breakdown of Jacob's children by each wife. It focuses exclusively on the lineage of Leah, Jacob's first wife, setting the stage for the subsequent lists of descendants from Zilpah, Rachel, and Bilhah. This meticulous accounting emphasizes the fulfillment of God's promise to multiply Jacob's "seed," a central theme throughout the patriarchal narratives.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting of this verse, "Padanaram," refers to the region in Mesopotamia (also known as Paddan-Aram) where Jacob resided with Laban for twenty years ([Genesis 29-31](/genesis/29-31 "Jacob's Sojourn in Padanaram")). It was during this period that most of Jacob's children, including all of Leah's, were born. Genealogies were critically important in the ancient Near East, serving not only as historical records but also as affirmations of identity, tribal affiliation, and inheritance rights. For the Israelites, these lists also served a theological purpose, demonstrating God's faithfulness in preserving and multiplying His chosen people, particularly in a time of severe famine that necessitated their migration to Egypt under Joseph's provision.
* **Key Themes:** [Genesis 46:15](/genesis/46-15 "Genesis 46:15 - Leah's Descendants") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Genesis. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Faithfulness and Covenant Fulfillment**, as the growing number of descendants directly evidences God's promise to Abraham to make his offspring a great nation ([Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's Promise to Abraham")). Secondly, the meticulous enumeration underscores God's **Meticulous Providence**, demonstrating His detailed oversight of His chosen people, ensuring that every individual is accounted for in His divine plan. Thirdly, it emphasizes the **Foundation of the Nation Israel**, with Leah's six sons becoming foundational tribes, laying the groundwork for Israel's identity and future. Finally, the verse reinforces the concept of the **"Seed" of Promise**, showing the initial blossoming of the promised lineage through whom salvation would ultimately come.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
[Genesis 46:15](/genesis/46-15 "Genesis 46:15 - Leah's Descendants") provides a focused account of Leah's descendants, emphasizing her foundational role as a matriarch in the burgeoning nation of Israel. The specification "which she bare unto Jacob in Padanaram" anchors these births to a specific period and location in Jacob's life, prior to his definitive return to Canaan. The explicit mention of "his daughter Dinah" highlights her inclusion in the family count, ensuring that the census encompasses all direct offspring, not solely the male heirs. The final tally of "all the souls of his sons and his daughters [were] thirty and three" precisely quantifies Leah's direct and indirect descendants who were part of the migration to Egypt.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sons (Hebrew, _bên_ H1121):** Derived from a root meaning "to build," this term signifies a son or male offspring, often carrying the connotation of one who builds or continues the family name. In this context, it refers to Leah's six male children who would become patriarchs of significant tribes within Israel, thus "building" the future nation.
* **daughter (Hebrew, _bath_ H1323):** As the feminine form of _bên_, this word denotes a female offspring. Its inclusion here, specifically naming Dinah, underscores the comprehensive nature of the census, acknowledging all direct descendants, not just those who would carry the patriarchal lineage.
* **souls (Hebrew, _nephesh_ H5315):** Properly meaning "a breathing creature" or "vitality," _nephesh_ in this context refers to individual persons or living beings. It signifies each distinct member of the family being counted, emphasizing the individual lives that collectively formed the growing covenant community.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"These [be] the sons of Leah":** This clause introduces the specific segment of Jacob's family being enumerated, focusing on the descendants of his first wife, Leah, whose children formed a significant portion of the nascent Israelite nation.
* **"which she bare unto Jacob in Padanaram":** This phrase specifies the geographical and temporal context of their births, highlighting that these children were born during Jacob's twenty-year sojourn in Mesopotamia, away from the Promised Land. This detail underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to multiply Jacob even in a foreign land.
* **"with his daughter Dinah":** The explicit mention of Dinah, Jacob's only recorded daughter by Leah, ensures her inclusion in the count. This specific naming is notable, especially given her prominent and traumatic narrative in [Genesis 34:1-31](/genesis/34-1-31 "The Account of Dinah and Shechem"), reinforcing her continued place within the family of Israel and the comprehensive nature of the census.
* **"all the souls of his sons and his daughters [were] thirty and three":** This final clause provides the precise numerical total of Leah's direct and indirect descendants who accompanied Jacob to Egypt. The use of "souls" (Hebrew _nephesh_) denotes individual persons, emphasizing the meticulous record-keeping and the tangible growth of the covenant family. This count includes Leah's six sons, Dinah, and their respective children and grandchildren who were part of the migration.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in [Genesis 46:15](/genesis/46-15 "Genesis 46:15 - Leah's Descendants") is **Enumeration**, a detailed listing of individuals, which is characteristic of biblical genealogies. This precise counting serves to validate the fulfillment of God's covenant promises regarding the multiplication of Abraham's seed. The specific mention of Dinah, despite the general categories of "sons and daughters," can be seen as a form of **Emphasis through Inclusion**, drawing particular attention to her presence and ensuring no direct descendant is overlooked. This meticulous record-keeping also functions as a form of **Historical Documentation**, providing a verifiable account of the foundational members of the emerging nation of Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The meticulous enumeration of Jacob's descendants, particularly Leah's line in [Genesis 46:15](/genesis/46-15 "Genesis 46:15 - Leah's Descendants"), serves as a profound testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and His active orchestration of redemptive history. This seemingly simple genealogical entry underscores the tangible fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—promises that included the multiplication of their seed into a great nation. The growth of Jacob's family from a small, vulnerable unit into a burgeoning clan, even amidst trials and migrations, demonstrates God's consistent work in preserving and expanding His chosen people according to His divine plan. This detailed accounting highlights that every individual life is significant in God's grand design, contributing to the unfolding of His purposes.

* [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's Promise to Abraham to Make a Great Nation")
* [Genesis 46:3](/genesis/46-3 "God's Reassurance to Jacob at Beersheba")
* [Deuteronomy 10:22](/deuteronomy/10-22 "Israel's Small Beginnings in Egypt")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Genesis 46:15](/genesis/46-15 "Genesis 46:15 - Leah's Descendants"), while a concise genealogical entry, offers profound insights into God's character and His meticulous work in the world. It reveals a God who is precise, purposeful, and intimately involved in the details of His creation, even down to the individual members of a family lineage. The careful record-keeping of the biblical text underscores the immense value God places on every person, demonstrating that no life is insignificant in His grand redemptive narrative. For believers today, this verse serves as a powerful encouragement: just as God faithfully multiplied and preserved Jacob's family to fulfill His ancient promises, so too does He oversee every aspect of our lives and the growth of His kingdom. It calls us to trust in His detailed providence, knowing that He is actively at work, orchestrating events and drawing individuals into His divine plan, even from humble beginnings, to achieve His ultimate purposes. Our lives, like those counted in this ancient census, are known, valued, and purposed by God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulous attention to detail in this genealogy encourage your faith in His providence over your own life?**
* **In what ways does this verse highlight the importance of family and heritage in God's redemptive plan, and how can we apply this in our own contexts?**
* **Considering the explicit inclusion of Dinah, what does this passage teach us about God's valuing of every individual, regardless of their past or societal roles?**

### FAQ

**What does "souls" mean in this context?**

Answer: In [Genesis 46:15](/genesis/46-15 "Genesis 46:15 - Leah's Descendants"), the Hebrew word *nephesh* (נֶפֶשׁ), translated as "souls," refers simply to individual persons or living beings. It is not used in the modern theological sense of an immortal spirit separate from the body, but rather to denote each distinct, living member of the family being counted. This emphasizes that each life was a unique individual contributing to the growing patriarchal family that would eventually become the nation of Israel, a testament to God's careful accounting of His people.

**Why is Dinah specifically mentioned if the count includes "sons and daughters"?**

Answer: Dinah, Jacob's only recorded daughter by Leah, is specifically mentioned in [Genesis 46:15](/genesis/46-15 "Genesis 46:15 - Leah's Descendants") to ensure her explicit inclusion in the overall family count. While patriarchal genealogies often prioritize male heirs who carry on the family name, her specific mention highlights that the census includes all direct offspring who migrated to Egypt, regardless of gender or whether they would produce a tribal lineage. This is particularly significant given her prominent and traumatic story in [Genesis 34:1-31](/genesis/34-1-31 "The Account of Dinah and Shechem"), reinforcing her continued, integral place within the family of Israel despite past events.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous enumeration of Jacob's descendants in [Genesis 46:15](/genesis/46-15 "Genesis 46:15 - Leah's Descendants") and the subsequent verses serves as a foundational testament to the unfolding of God's grand redemptive plan, which finds its ultimate culmination in Jesus Christ. The growth of Jacob's family from a small, vulnerable group into a burgeoning nation demonstrates God's unwavering faithfulness in preserving and multiplying the "seed" through whom the Messiah would ultimately come. Every individual counted in this ancient census, including Leah's numerous descendants, forms an essential link in the genealogical chain that would eventually produce King David ([Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1-17 "The Genealogy of Jesus Christ")) and, ultimately, Jesus Christ Himself—the promised Son of David and the true Seed of Abraham ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "The Promise Made to Abraham's Seed, Christ")). This detailed genealogical record, therefore, is far more than a mere historical list; it is a profound witness to God's precise, sovereign, and unwavering commitment to bringing forth the Savior of the world through a specific, chosen people, ensuring that the promise of redemption would be fulfilled in its appointed time through the person of Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 30:17

And God hearkened unto Leah, and she conceived, and bare Jacob the fifth son.

Genesis 30:21

And afterwards she bare a daughter, and called her name Dinah.

Genesis 29:32

And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.

Genesis 29:35

And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.

Genesis 35:23

The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun:

Numbers 1:1

¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first [day] of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying,

Numbers 1:54

And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they.