Genesis 46:25

KJV

These [are] the sons of Bilhah, which Laban gave unto Rachel his daughter, and she bare these unto Jacob: all the souls [were] seven.

KJV (with Strong's)

These are the sons {H1121} of Bilhah {H1090}, which Laban {H3837} gave {H5414} unto Rachel {H7354} his daughter {H1323}, and she bare {H3205} these unto Jacob {H3290}: all the souls {H5315} were seven {H7651}.

Complete Jewish Bible

These were the sons of Bilhah, whom Lavan gave to Rachel his daughter; she bore them to Ya'akov - in sum, seven people.

Berean Standard Bible

These are the sons of Jacob born to Bilhah, whom Laban gave to his daughter Rachel—seven in all.

American Standard Version

These are the sons of Bilhah, whom Laban gave unto Rachel his daughter, and these she bare unto Jacob: all the souls were seven.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 46:25 concisely details the seven individuals descending from Jacob through Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid, who journeyed with the patriarch's household into Egypt. This verse is part of a comprehensive census of Jacob's family, meticulously enumerating each branch to underscore the growing fulfillment of God's covenant promise to multiply Abraham's descendants into a great nation, even as they faced famine and prepared for a pivotal sojourn in a foreign land.

### CONTEXT
This verse is situated within Genesis 46, a crucial chapter that meticulously lists all of Jacob's descendants who accompanied him to Egypt to reunite with Joseph. Following the detailed enumeration of those born through Leah and Zilpah in the preceding verses, Genesis 46:25 specifically accounts for the lineage of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid. This comprehensive census precedes the family's significant journey, orchestrated by divine providence, which marked the beginning of Israel's 430-year sojourn in Egypt, setting the stage for their eventual growth into a nation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 46:25 provides a specific count within the broader genealogical record of Jacob's family migrating to Egypt. The verse states, "These [are] the sons of Bilhah, which Laban gave unto Rachel his daughter, and she bare these unto Jacob: all the souls [were] seven." This seemingly simple statement carries significant genealogical and theological weight.

* **Bilhah's Role:** Bilhah was Rachel's handmaid, given to Jacob by Rachel when she was initially barren, so that Bilhah might bear children on her behalf, thus providing Rachel with children through proxy ([Genesis 30:3](/genesis/30-3 "Rachel gives Bilhah to Jacob")). This practice was a common custom in the ancient Near East, reflecting the cultural importance of lineage and heirs.
* **The Sons of Bilhah:** Bilhah bore two sons to Jacob: Dan and Naphtali. These two sons are the direct progenitors of the lineage accounted for in this verse.
* **The "Seven Souls":** The term "souls" (Hebrew: _nephesh_, נֶפֶשׁ) in this context refers to individual persons or living beings. While _nephesh_ can have spiritual connotations, here it functions as a simple count of individuals, emphasizing the life and vitality of each member. The count of "seven" includes Bilhah's two sons and their respective children who also accompanied Jacob to Egypt: Dan had one son, Hushim; Naphtali had four sons: Jahzeel, Guni, Jezer, and Shillem. The total is 2 sons (Dan, Naphtali) + 1 grandson (Hushim) + 4 grandsons (Jahzeel, Guni, Jezer, Shillem) = 7 individuals.
* **Meticulous Record-Keeping:** The detailed enumeration of each family branch, even those born through handmaids, underscores the meticulousness of the biblical record and God's attention to the specific lineage through whom His covenant promises would be realized. This precision highlights the divine orchestration of events leading to the formation of the nation of Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Divine Faithfulness to Covenant Promises:** The detailed counting of Jacob's descendants, including those from Bilhah, underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His promise to Abraham ([Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's promise to make Abraham a great nation")) and Jacob ([Genesis 35:11](/genesis/35-11 "God's promise to make Jacob a multitude of nations")) to multiply their offspring into a great nation, despite complex family dynamics and challenging circumstances like famine.
* **Importance of Lineage and Genealogy:** Biblical genealogies are not mere lists; they are foundational to understanding identity, inheritance, and the continuity of God's redemptive plan. Every individual counted here contributes to the unfolding narrative of salvation history, leading ultimately to the Messiah.
* **Providential Preparation for a New Era:** The precise enumeration of "all the souls" signifies the importance of this migration to Egypt, which was orchestrated by God's providence through Joseph. It sets the stage for the nation of Israel to grow and develop in a protected environment before the Exodus, fulfilling God's long-term plan for His people.
* **God's Attention to Every Individual:** Even in a large family census, the Bible highlights each branch, demonstrating God's meticulous attention to every individual within His covenant community, regardless of their social standing or birth circumstances.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This seemingly simple verse, like all biblical genealogies, offers profound insights into God's character and His interaction with humanity. It reminds us of God's meticulous attention to detail and His sovereign hand guiding history. Every individual, even those born through complex family arrangements like Bilhah's, plays a part in God's grand design. For us today, this reinforces the comforting truth that God knows each of us by name and has a specific purpose for our lives. It also highlights the fulfillment of God's promises across generations, demonstrating His faithfulness even when circumstances seem dire, just as they did for Jacob's family facing famine. We can trust that God's plans, though sometimes unfolding slowly, will ultimately come to fruition, just as He promised to make Jacob a multitude of nations.

### FAQ
**Why are genealogies so important in the Bible?**

Answer: Genealogies in the Bible serve several crucial purposes. They establish legal and historical continuity, particularly for land inheritance, tribal identity, and the priestly line. Most importantly, they trace the lineage of the covenant promises, demonstrating God's faithfulness through generations and ultimately leading to the promised Messiah. They affirm the literal fulfillment of divine promises and provide a framework for understanding God's unfolding plan of salvation.

**What does the term "souls" (nephesh) specifically mean in this context?**

Answer: In Genesis 46:25, "souls" (Hebrew: *nephesh*) refers to individual persons or living beings. While *nephesh* can encompass the concept of the spirit or inner being, here it functions as a simple numerical count of individuals. It emphasizes that each person listed is a living, vital member of Jacob's expanding family, contributing to the total population migrating to Egypt.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous accounting of Jacob's descendants, including those from Bilhah, points forward to the ultimate fulfillment of God's covenant promises in Jesus Christ. This detailed genealogy underscores God's faithfulness in preserving a chosen lineage through whom the Messiah would eventually come. The growth of Jacob's family into a "great nation" was a necessary precursor to the birth of the "seed" promised to Abraham, through whom all nations would be blessed. Christ, as the ultimate Son of Abraham and Jacob, fulfills the purpose of these genealogies, embodying the culmination of God's redemptive plan and extending the blessings of the covenant to all who believe, transcending tribal and national boundaries.

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.