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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 46:23 concisely records Hushim as the sole "son" of Dan among Jacob's descendants who journeyed into Egypt. This brief entry is part of a detailed census enumerating the seventy souls of Israel's nascent nation, highlighting God's meticulous preservation of His covenant people and the foundational lineage from which the twelve tribes would emerge, ensuring the continuity of His redemptive plan.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The brevity of Genesis 46:23 is itself a significant literary device, highlighting the unique situation of Dan's lineage compared to other patriarchs who are listed with multiple direct sons. This conciseness draws attention to the name "Hushim." The use of a plural noun for a singular entity (Hushim) is a notable linguistic feature, functioning perhaps as a form of synecdoche or metonymy, where a part (the clan or family unit) represents the whole (Dan's immediate descendants). This choice emphasizes the foundational units of the emerging tribes, even when a direct "son" might not be explicitly named in this specific census. The entire passage also exemplifies the genealogical style prevalent in ancient Near Eastern literature, which serves to establish legitimacy, continuity, and divine oversight of the lineage.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The meticulous listing of each family member, even those briefly mentioned like Hushim, underscores God's meticulous oversight in preserving and growing the family of Jacob into a great nation, demonstrating His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises despite seemingly small or humble beginnings. This passage affirms that every individual, no matter how briefly mentioned in the biblical narrative, is significant in God's overarching plan and contributes to the larger story of salvation history. Genealogies were fundamental in ancient Israel for establishing tribal identity, inheritance rights, and a sense of continuity with the covenant promises. This verse solidifies the lineage of the tribe of Dan within the larger tapestry of Israel's twelve tribes, showing God's hand in building a mighty nation from humble, individual family units.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Even a concise genealogical entry like Genesis 46:23 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God's meticulous attention extends to every individual, affirming our personal significance within His grand redemptive narrative. Just as God built a powerful tribe from Dan's seemingly small beginning, we are encouraged not to despise humble origins in our own lives or ministries, trusting that God can accomplish great things through seemingly insignificant starts. This verse also speaks to the importance of every "small" part in God's larger plan; no contribution is too minor for His purposes. Furthermore, understanding our spiritual heritage within God's family story provides a vital sense of belonging, purpose, and continuity with His eternal plan, reminding us that we are part of a lineage that God has faithfully guided through history.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is only one "son" listed for Dan, and what does "Hushim" mean?
Answer: The listing of only one "son," Hushim, for Dan in Genesis 46:23 is unique among Jacob's sons in this census, as most others have multiple direct offspring named. The name "Hushim" (חֻשִׁים) is a plural form in Hebrew, meaning "hasters." This linguistic detail strongly suggests that "Hushim" refers not to a single direct individual but rather to a clan or family group representing Dan's immediate household as they entered Egypt. This interpretation helps reconcile the plural "sons" with the singular "Hushim," indicating that this family unit constituted Dan's contribution to the nascent nation. Later genealogies, such as Numbers 26:42, list Dan's son as "Shuham," further suggesting that "Hushim" in Genesis 46:23 likely refers to the collective descendants or the primary family unit associated with Shuham, highlighting the biblical record's focus on the foundational units of the tribes.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous recording of each individual, including Hushim, in the lineage of Israel, underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, which ultimately find their fulfillment in Christ. The preservation of this specific family line, from Abraham through Jacob's sons, was essential for the eventual advent of the Messiah. Every name in this genealogy, no matter how brief, contributes to the unfolding tapestry of salvation history, demonstrating God's sovereign hand guiding His people towards the coming of the Seed who would bless all nations, as promised in Genesis 22:18. Christ, as the ultimate Son of David and the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant, embodies the culmination of God's precise and providentially guided plan for humanity, ensuring that the promise made to Abraham, and meticulously preserved through generations like Dan's, would be realized in His person and work. His coming, prophesied in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New, as seen in passages like Galatians 3:16, validates the divine purpose behind every seemingly minor detail of Israel's history, pointing to the one through whom all of God's promises are "Yes" and "Amen" in 2 Corinthians 1:20.