Genesis 46:26

KJV

All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, which came out of his loins, besides Jacob's sons' wives, all the souls [were] threescore and six;

KJV (with Strong's)

All the souls {H5315} that came {H935} with Jacob {H3290} into Egypt {H4714}, which came out {H3318} of his loins {H3409}, besides Jacob's {H3290} sons {H1121}' wives {H802}, all the souls {H5315} were threescore {H8346} and six {H8337};

Complete Jewish Bible

All the people belonging to Ya'akov coming into Egypt, his direct descendants (not counting Ya'akov's sons' wives), totaled sixty-six.

Berean Standard Bible

All those belonging to Jacob who came to Egypt—his direct descendants, besides the wives of Jacob’s sons—numbered sixty-six persons.

American Standard Version

All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, that came out of his loins, besides Jacob’s sons’ wives, all the souls were threescore and six;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 46:26 provides a precise numerical account of the sixty-six direct biological descendants of Jacob who journeyed with him into Egypt, explicitly excluding his sons' wives. This meticulous census highlights God's sovereign preservation and faithfulness to His covenant promises, underscoring the foundational moment when the nascent nation of Israel, though small in number, was positioned for exponential growth in a foreign land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Genesis chapter 46, which serves as a detailed genealogical and historical record of Jacob's family relocating to Egypt. The preceding verses (Genesis 46:8-25) painstakingly list Jacob's children and grandchildren, organized by their mothers, who comprised the household accompanying him. Genesis 46:26 acts as a summary statement, providing a precise numerical tally of those direct descendants who physically made the journey. It immediately precedes Genesis 46:27, which gives a broader count of "all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt," totaling seventy, by including Joseph and his two sons who were already in Egypt. This careful distinction between those who traveled and the total family in Egypt is crucial for understanding the biblical enumeration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The journey to Egypt was necessitated by a severe famine that afflicted Canaan, as detailed in Genesis 41-45. Egypt, under the wise administration of Joseph, had become a refuge with abundant food. For a nomadic family like Jacob's, relocating for survival was a significant undertaking, requiring divine guidance and protection. Culturally, large families were considered a blessing and a sign of God's favor, particularly in the context of covenant promises regarding numerous descendants. The meticulous counting of individuals, especially those of direct lineage, was vital for tracking tribal identity and the fulfillment of patriarchal blessings, ensuring the purity and continuity of the covenant line.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 46:26 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader Pentateuch. It emphasizes **Divine Providence and Sovereignty**, showcasing God's intricate orchestration of events—from Joseph's rise to power to the famine—to preserve His chosen people and bring them to a place of safety and future growth (cf. [Genesis 45:7-8](/genesis/45-7-8 "Joseph's understanding of God's providential hand")). The verse also highlights **Covenant Faithfulness**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that their descendants would become a great nation (e.g., [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's promise to Abraham to make him a great nation")). Furthermore, it underscores the theme of **Formation of a Nation**, as this small group of sixty-six souls represents the foundational seed of what would become the twelve tribes of Israel, poised to multiply significantly in Egypt, setting the stage for the Exodus narrative (cf. [Deuteronomy 10:22](/deuteronomy/10-22 "Moses' recollection of the seventy souls entering Egypt")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 46:26 offers a precise enumeration of the individuals who formed the immediate family of Jacob as they entered Egypt. The verse states: "All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, which came out of his loins, besides Jacob's sons' wives, all the souls [were] threescore and six;"

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Souls (Hebrew, _nephesh'_):** H5315. From Strong's H5315, `nephesh` properly means "a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality." It is used very widely in a literal, accommodated, or figurative sense, often referring to a living being, a person, or the self. In this context, "souls" refers to living individuals, emphasizing that the count is of actual persons, each one precious and part of God's plan for the covenant family.
* **Loins (Hebrew, _yârêk'_):** H3409. From Strong's H3409, `yârêk` refers to "the thigh (from its fleshy softness); by euphemistically the generative parts; figuratively, a shank, flank, side." Here, "came out of his loins" is a common biblical idiom signifying direct biological descent or progeny. It explicitly clarifies that the count is limited to those who shared Jacob's bloodline, highlighting the importance of pure lineage for the fulfillment of the covenant promises.
* **Egypt (Hebrew, _Mitsrayim'_):** H4714. From Strong's H4714, `Mitsrayim` is the dual form of a word meaning "fortress," referring to "Upper and Lower Egypt." This term designates the specific geographical destination of Jacob's family. Their entry into Egypt was not merely a migration but a divinely orchestrated relocation to a land where they could be preserved and multiply, setting the stage for their eventual emergence as a powerful nation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt":** This clause emphasizes the completeness of the census, specifying that the count includes every living person who physically accompanied Jacob on his journey from Canaan to Egypt. The term "souls" underscores the individual lives being counted, each significant in God's unfolding plan.
* **"which came out of his loins":** This phrase serves as a crucial qualifier, defining the scope of the enumeration. It explicitly limits the count to Jacob's direct biological descendants—his children and grandchildren—excluding any individuals who joined the family through marriage or other means. This distinction is vital for understanding the lineage and the fulfillment of the covenant promises tied to Jacob's seed.
* **"besides Jacob's sons' wives":** This further refines the count by explicitly excluding the wives of Jacob's sons. While these women were integral to the family unit and crucial for the procreation of the future tribes, they are not included in this specific enumeration of those "out of his loins," reinforcing the patriarchal focus on direct bloodline for the purpose of this census.
* **"all the souls [were] threescore and six":** This archaic expression translates to sixty-six (66). This precise numerical tally is the sum of Jacob's children (excluding Joseph, who was already in Egypt) and his grandchildren who made the journey, as detailed in the preceding verses of Genesis 46. This specific number highlights the meticulous nature of the biblical record and God's sovereign oversight of the chosen family's preservation and growth.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Genesis 46:26 is **Enumeration**, a precise and detailed counting of individuals. This serves to emphasize the meticulous nature of the biblical record and God's careful oversight of His covenant people. The phrase "which came out of his loins" functions as a significant **Idiom**, a common biblical expression for direct biological descent, clearly defining the parameters of the census. Furthermore, the repetition of "all the souls" and the explicit exclusion of "Jacob's sons' wives" create a sense of **Emphasis** and clarity, ensuring that the reader understands the exact composition of the group being counted. This precise accounting underscores the divine intention behind the preservation and growth of Jacob's family, highlighting their foundational role in the unfolding narrative of Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The precise enumeration of Jacob's family in Genesis 46:26, though a seemingly simple numerical detail, carries profound theological weight. It serves as a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, particularly those made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob concerning their descendants becoming a great nation. At this critical juncture, with only sixty-six direct descendants, the family was small and vulnerable, yet God's meticulous care ensured their preservation and relocation to a place where they could multiply exponentially. This passage highlights God's sovereign hand in orchestrating human events, even through famine and displacement, to fulfill His divine purposes for His chosen people. It underscores that God's plans are not dependent on human strength or numbers, but on His own power and faithfulness.

* [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's Promise to Abraham to Make Him a Great Nation")
* [Genesis 46:3](/genesis/46-3 "God's Promise to Jacob to Make Him a Great Nation in Egypt")
* [Deuteronomy 10:22](/deuteronomy/10-22 "Moses' Recollection of the Seventy Souls Entering Egypt")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 46:26 offers profound encouragement for believers today, reminding us that God often works through small and seemingly insignificant beginnings to accomplish His grand purposes. The preservation and subsequent growth of Jacob's family, despite challenging circumstances like famine and forced relocation, serves as a powerful testament to God's unwavering commitment to His covenant and His people. For us, this verse provides assurance that God's plans are meticulously laid out, and His promises are always fulfilled, even when our initial steps or current circumstances seem small, uncertain, or even precarious. It calls us to trust in God's sovereign hand, knowing that every individual, no matter how seemingly small their contribution, is vital to His overarching divine narrative. Just as God counted each soul of Jacob's family, He knows and values each one of us, integrating our lives into His magnificent redemptive story.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous counting of Jacob's family in Genesis 46:26 affirm God's personal care for each individual within His larger plan?**
* **In what ways does this passage encourage us to trust God's faithfulness even when our own circumstances seem small or insignificant?**
* **How might the journey of Jacob's family to Egypt, driven by famine, relate to times in our lives when we are forced into uncomfortable transitions that ultimately lead to God's provision?**

### FAQ
**Why is the count 66 in this verse, but other passages mention 70?**

Answer: The count of "threescore and six" (66) in [Genesis 46:26](/genesis/46-26 "Understanding the Count of 66") refers specifically to Jacob's direct biological descendants (children and grandchildren) who physically traveled with him into Egypt, explicitly excluding his sons' wives. The total of seventy, mentioned in [Genesis 46:27](/genesis/46-27 "Understanding the Count of 70") and later in [Exodus 1:5](/exodus/1-5 "The Total Number of Jacob's Descendants in Egypt"), includes Joseph and his two sons (Manasseh and Ephraim), who were already established in Egypt prior to Jacob's arrival. Thus, 66 (those who traveled) + 3 (Joseph, Manasseh, Ephraim) = 69. When Jacob himself is included in the total count of the family in Egypt, the sum reaches 70. This distinction is a matter of careful accounting based on who physically journeyed with Jacob versus the total family unit present in Egypt.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous enumeration of Jacob's sixty-six direct descendants in [Genesis 46:26](/genesis/46-26 "The Christological Significance of Genesis 46:26") is a vital link in the unfolding story of God's redemptive plan, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. This small group, preserved and brought into Egypt, represents the foundational seed of the nation of Israel, through whom the covenant promises of a great nation and a blessing to all peoples would be realized. The divine preservation of this specific lineage, despite famine and displacement, demonstrates God's unwavering commitment to His promise to Abraham that "in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed" ([Genesis 22:18](/genesis/22-18 "God's Promise of Blessing Through Abraham's Seed")). This "seed" ultimately culminates in Christ, the true Seed of Abraham and Jacob, through whom salvation and eternal life are offered to all humanity. The journey of these 66 souls was a necessary step in the divine providence that would eventually bring forth the Messiah, securing the lineage that would bear the hope of the world, as meticulously traced in the genealogies of [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1-17 "The Genealogy of Jesus Christ") and [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23-38 "The Genealogy of Jesus Christ from Luke"). The faithfulness of God to this small, vulnerable family in Genesis foreshadows His greater faithfulness in sending His Son to redeem a multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language (cf. [Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9-10 "A Great Multitude Worshipping God")).

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

Exodus 1:5

And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt [already].

Judges 8:30

And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives.

Genesis 35:11

And God said unto him, I [am] God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins;