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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 46:21 provides a precise enumeration of the ten sons of Benjamin, Jacob's youngest son, who journeyed with the patriarch and his entire household from Canaan to Egypt. This verse is an integral part of a larger genealogical record detailing the seventy souls of Jacob's family, serving as a foundational account of the nascent nation of Israel at a critical juncture when divine providence ensured their preservation during a severe famine, thereby setting the stage for their future growth and eventual exodus.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 46:21 presents a straightforward enumeration of Benjamin's ten sons who accompanied Jacob to Egypt, laying the groundwork for the future tribe of Benjamin.
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Genesis 46:21 is Enumeration (or Cataloging). This technique involves the systematic listing of names, places, or items, serving to provide detailed information and establish a comprehensive record. In this context, the enumeration of Benjamin's sons emphasizes the growth and specific composition of Jacob's family as they enter Egypt, reinforcing the idea of a burgeoning nation. It lends an air of historical authenticity and precision to the narrative. Additionally, the verse utilizes Repetition of the conjunction "and" (polysyndeton) between each name, which creates a rhythmic, cumulative effect, drawing attention to each individual name and underscoring the completeness of the list. This stylistic choice reinforces the meticulous nature of the record and the importance of each individual in the collective family unit.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The detailed listing of Benjamin's sons in Genesis 46:21 is far more than a mere historical record; it is a profound testament to God's active involvement in the lives of individuals and the unfolding of His redemptive plan. It signifies the tangible growth of the covenant family, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that their descendants would multiply and become a great nation. This verse, therefore, undergirds the themes of divine preservation, the importance of lineage in God's plan, and the foundational identity of Israel as a chosen people.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 46:21, though a simple list of names, invites profound reflection on God's meticulous care and unwavering faithfulness. It reminds us that God's grand redemptive plan often unfolds through the seemingly ordinary lives of individuals and families. Just as He knew and preserved each son of Benjamin, ensuring the continuity of the covenant line, He knows and cares for each one of us, weaving our lives into His greater narrative. This passage encourages us to trust in God's sovereign providence, recognizing that even in times of crisis or transition (like the famine and migration to Egypt), His purposes are being advanced. It also highlights the importance of our own spiritual lineage and the legacy of faith we are called to uphold and pass on, recognizing that we are part of a continuous story of God's work across generations. Our individual lives, like those listed here, have significance in God's design.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why are genealogies so prominent in the Bible, especially in books like Genesis?
Answer: Genealogies are crucial in the Bible for several interwoven reasons. They establish historical continuity, demonstrating God's faithfulness across generations and connecting the past to the present and future. They define tribal and family identity, which was essential for land inheritance, social structure, and religious roles in ancient Israel. Most importantly, they meticulously trace the lineage through which God's covenant promises, particularly the promise of a Messiah, would be fulfilled, culminating in Jesus Christ. For instance, the genealogies in Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-38 serve this ultimate purpose.
Did Benjamin have only ten sons, or is this list representative?
Answer: Genesis 46:21 lists ten sons who accompanied Jacob to Egypt. However, other biblical passages, such as the census in Numbers 26:38-41 and the more extensive genealogical records in 1 Chronicles 7:6-12, provide slightly different or expanded lists of Benjamin's descendants, sometimes including grandsons or later tribal divisions. The list in Genesis 46 focuses specifically on the direct sons who were part of the immediate migration to Egypt, serving as the foundational progenitors of the tribe at that pivotal moment in redemptive history.
What is the significance of Benjamin being Jacob's youngest son?
Answer: Benjamin's status as the youngest, and the only son born to Jacob in Canaan after his return, holds deep emotional significance for Jacob. He was the last son of Jacob's beloved wife Rachel, making him particularly cherished, especially after the presumed death of his full brother, Joseph. This special status is evident in Jacob's initial reluctance to let him go to Egypt (Genesis 42:38) and Joseph's preferential treatment of him (Genesis 43:34). This highlights themes of family dynamics, divine protection, and the unfolding of God's plan through seemingly unlikely or vulnerable individuals, demonstrating that God's favor is not always tied to birth order.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous listing of Benjamin's sons in Genesis 46:21, as part of the broader census of Jacob's family entering Egypt, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the preservation of the lineage through which the Messiah would come. The establishment and growth of the tribes of Israel, founded upon these very individuals, ensured the continuity of the covenant line that would eventually lead to Jesus Christ. While Benjamin's tribe did not directly produce the Messiah (that lineage came through Judah, as foretold in Genesis 49:10), its preservation was vital for the integrity of the twelve tribes, which collectively formed the nation destined to bring forth the Savior. Christ, as the "Son of God's right hand" (a symbolic meaning of Benjamin's name), is the true heir of the divine promises, bringing ultimate fortune and salvation to all who believe. He gathers a new, spiritual Israel, not defined by physical lineage alone, but by faith in Him, fulfilling the promise of a people from every tribe and nation, as seen in Revelation 7:9-10. He is the ultimate fulfillment of God's covenant faithfulness, the one through whom all the families of the earth are blessed (Galatians 3:16).