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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.
(Chapter XLVI, Verse 26 and following) Therefore all the souls that entered Egypt with Jacob, and those that came out of his thighs, apart from the wives of Jacob's sons, were sixty-six souls; and the sons of Joseph, who were born to him in Egypt, were nine souls. Therefore all the souls that entered Egypt with Jacob were seventy-five. It is without doubt that except for Joseph and his sons, sixty-six souls that came out of Jacob's thighs entered Egypt. For thus also, gradually through each calculated number, it is proven, and it is found in the Hebrew volumes. But what we read in the Septuagint: And the sons of Joseph, who were born to him in Egypt, were nine souls: let us know that in Hebrew, instead of nine, there are two. For Ephraim and Manasseh were born to him before Jacob entered Egypt, and before the time of famine. They were born of Aseneth, the daughter of Potiphera, in Egypt. But also that which we read above: And the sons of Manasseh became, whom the Syrian concubine gave birth to him, Machir, and Machir gave birth to Gilead; and the sons of Ephraim, the brother of Manasseh, Suthalaam, and Thaam; and the sons of Suthalaam, Edem, it is added: indeed, what we read afterwards is described as if it had happened by anticipation. For at that time when Jacob entered Egypt, Ephraim and Manasseh were not old enough to be able to have children. From this it is evident that all the souls who entered Egypt from the loins of Jacob were seventy, but afterwards sixty-six entered, and they found (Al. gave birth to) three souls in Egypt, namely Joseph with his two sons, and the seventieth was Jacob himself. In order that we do not seem to speak against the authority of Scripture, even the Seventy Interpreters translated in Deuteronomy (X, 22) that Jacob (also called Israel) entered Egypt with seventy souls. Therefore, if anyone opposes our opinion, they will make Scripture contradict itself. For the Seventy Interpreters themselves, who said that seventy-five souls, including Joseph and his descendants, entered Egypt through πρόληψις, only mentioned in Deuteronomy that seventy entered (some say 'entered'). But if the opposite is opposed to us, how is it said in the Acts of the Apostles (VII) , in the sermon of Stephen to the people, that seventy-five souls entered Egypt; the explanation is easy. For Saint Luke, who is the author of the history itself, should not have written anything contrary to that Scripture, which had already been made known to the Gentiles, when he published the volume of the Acts of the Apostles. And certainly, at that time, the authority of the Seventy Interpreters was considered greater than that of Luke, who was unknown, and despised, and not held in high esteem by the nations. However, it is generally observed that wherever the holy Apostles or Apostolic men speak to the peoples, they often make use of testimonies that had already been spread among the nations: although many report that Luke the Evangelist, as a proselyte, was ignorant of the Hebrew letters.
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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
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
Verse Breakdown
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.
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
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 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 and later in Exodus 1:5, 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 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). 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 and Luke 3:23-38. 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 (Revelation 7:9-10).