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Commentary on Genesis 46 verses 5–27
Old Jacob is here flitting. Little did he think of ever leaving Canaan; he expected, no doubt, to die in his nest, and to leave his seed in actual possession of the promised land: but Providence orders it otherwise. Note, Those that think themselves well settled may yet be unsettled in a little time. Even old people, who think of no other removal than that to the grave (which Jacob had much upon his heart, Gen 37:35; Gen 42:38), sometimes live to see great changes in their family. It is good to be ready, not only for the grave, but for whatever may happen betwixt us and the grave. Observe, 1. How Jacob was conveyed; not in a chariot, though chariots were then used, but in a wagon, Gen 46:5. Jacob had the character of a plain man, who did not affect any thing stately or magnificent; his son rode in a chariot (Gen 41:43), but a wagon would serve him. 2. The removal of what he had with him. (1.) His effects (Gen 46:6), cattle and goods; these he took with him that he might not wholly be beholden to Pharaoh for a livelihood, and that it might not afterwards be said of them, "that they came beggars to Egypt." (2.) His family, all his seed, Gen 46:7. It is probable that they had continued to live together in common with their father; and therefore when he went they all went, which perhaps they were the more willing to do, because, though they had heard that the land of Canaan was promised them, yet, to this day, they had none of it in possession. We have here a particular account of the names of Jacob's family, his sons' sons, most of whom are afterwards mentioned as heads of houses in the several tribes. See Num 26:5, etc. Bishop Patrick observes that Issachar called his eldest son Tola, which signifies a worm, probably because when he was born he was a very little weak child, a worm, and no man, not likely to live; and yet there sprang from him a very numerous offspring, Ch1 7:2. Note, Living and dying do not go by probability. The whole number that went down into Egypt was sixty-six (Gen 46:26), to which add Joseph and his two sons, who were there before, and Jacob himself, the head of the family, and you have the number of seventy, Gen 46:27. The Septuagint makes them seventy-five, and Stephen follows them (Act 7:14), the reason of which we leave to the conjecture of the critics; but let us observe, [1.] Masters of families ought to take care of all under their charge, and to provide for those of their own house food convenient both for body and soul. When Jacob himself removed to a land of plenty, he would not leave any of his children behind him to starve in a barren land. [2.] Though the accomplishment of promises is always sure, yet it is often slow. It was now 215 years since God had promised Abraham to make of him a great nation (Gen 12:2); and yet that branch of his seed on which the promise was entailed had increased only to seventy, of which this particular account is kept, that the power of God in multiplying these seventy to so vast a multitude, even in Egypt, may appear the more illustrious. When God pleases, a little one shall become a thousand, Isa 60:22.
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SUMMARY
Genesis 46:18 meticulously records the sixteen descendants of Zilpah, Leah's handmaid, who accompanied Jacob to Egypt. This verse, an integral part of a comprehensive census of Jacob's household, underscores God's faithful preservation of the covenant lineage, ensuring the survival and future growth of the nascent nation of Israel amidst a severe famine, thereby setting the stage for their eventual multiplication and the fulfillment of divine promises.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in this verse and the surrounding chapter is Enumeration or Cataloging. The text meticulously lists individuals and their numbers, creating a comprehensive census of Jacob's family. This detailed listing serves not merely as a historical record but as a theological statement, emphasizing God's precise oversight and the literal fulfillment of His promises regarding the multiplication of Abraham's descendants. The use of Repetition in the structure of listing each matriarch's descendants reinforces the comprehensive nature of the census. Furthermore, the entire chapter functions as a Genealogy, a literary form crucial in ancient Israel for establishing lineage, identity, and the continuity of covenant promises, culminating in the tracing of the Messianic line.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 46:18, as part of the broader census, profoundly illustrates God's meticulous Divine Providence and Preservation. Every individual counted, including those from Zilpah's line, was essential to God's overarching plan to form a great nation from Abraham's descendants. This precision demonstrates God's active and intimate involvement in human history, orchestrating seemingly mundane family movements for His grand redemptive purposes. It is a tangible display of His unwavering Covenant Faithfulness, as He systematically brings about the numerical growth promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, even amidst challenging circumstances like famine. The journey to Egypt, meticulously documented by this census, was a critical, divinely ordained step in the Foundation of a Nation, transforming a patriarchal family into the multitude from whom the twelve tribes of Israel would emerge.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 46:18, though a seemingly simple genealogical record, offers a profound reminder of God's incredible attention to detail and His unwavering faithfulness to His promises, even in the midst of challenging circumstances like a severe famine. It teaches us that God orchestrates the movement of every individual necessary for His grand plan to unfold, demonstrating that His purposes are precise and purposeful, often unfolding through seemingly ordinary family events and migrations. This meticulous record encourages us to trust in God's providential care for our own lives, recognizing that He is intimately involved in every detail, and that even seemingly minor roles or events contribute to His larger redemptive narrative. Just as He preserved and multiplied Jacob's family, He faithfully works in our lives, ensuring His purposes are fulfilled, leading us towards His ultimate redemptive goal in Christ.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does the Bible meticulously list genealogies and family members, as seen here?
Answer: These detailed lists, including Genesis 46:18, serve multiple crucial purposes. Firstly, they establish the historical accuracy and continuity of God's covenant promises, particularly the promise to Abraham that his descendants would become a great nation (Genesis 12:2). Secondly, they meticulously trace the lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come, demonstrating God's precise and purposeful work throughout history in preparing for the ultimate Redeemer. Thirdly, such lists underscore the value God places on every individual within His divine plan, ensuring no one is forgotten and that each person plays a part in the unfolding of His redemptive narrative.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous preservation of Jacob's lineage, including the specific accounting of Zilpah's descendants in Genesis 46:18, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. This detailed census highlights God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises, particularly the promise that through Abraham's seed, all nations would be blessed (Genesis 22:18). The very existence and preservation of this family, which would grow into the nation of Israel, was essential for the eventual birth of the Messiah. Christ, as the "seed" of Abraham (Galatians 3:16) and the "son" of David (Matthew 1:1), is the culmination of these genealogies, the ultimate heir to the covenant promises, and the one through whom God's plan of salvation for all humanity is realized. He is the true Israel, the head of a new spiritual family, fulfilling the purpose for which these ancient lineages were so carefully preserved, drawing all believers into His family through faith (Ephesians 2:19-20).