Genesis 46:27

KJV

And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, [were] two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, [were] threescore and ten.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the sons {H1121} of Joseph {H3130}, which were born {H3205} him in Egypt {H4714}, were two {H8147} souls {H5315}: all the souls {H5315} of the house {H1004} of Jacob {H3290}, which came {H935} into Egypt {H4714}, were threescore and ten {H7657}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The sons of Yosef, born to him in Egypt, were two in number. Thus all the people in Ya'akov's family who entered Egypt numbered seventy.

Berean Standard Bible

And with the two sons who had been born to Joseph in Egypt, the members of Jacob’s family who went to Egypt were seventy in all.

American Standard Version

and the sons of Joseph, who were born to him in Egypt, were two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, that came into Egypt, were threescore and ten.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 46:27 meticulously concludes the census of Jacob's descendants, affirming that the total number of individuals from his household who journeyed into Egypt was seventy. This precise enumeration marks a foundational moment in the divine unfolding of redemptive history, signifying the humble origins from which God would miraculously raise the mighty nation of Israel, thereby demonstrating His unwavering faithfulness to the ancient covenant promises made to Abraham and Jacob regarding their innumerable progeny and the establishment of a great people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 46 details the momentous journey of Jacob (now called Israel) and his entire family into Egypt, a relocation orchestrated by divine providence amidst a severe famine and the miraculous reunion with his long-lost son, Joseph. The preceding verses, specifically [Genesis 46:8-26](/genesis/46-8-26 "The List of Jacob's Descendants Entering Egypt"), provide a comprehensive, genealogical list of Jacob's descendants, meticulously accounting for each individual who made the descent. Verse 27 serves as a concluding summary statement, confirming the total number of souls from Jacob's house who entered Egypt. This numerical summary sets the stage for the subsequent narrative in Exodus, where this numerically small group experiences exponential growth into a powerful nation, fulfilling God's earlier prophecies.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The famine gripping Canaan and Egypt was severe, lasting seven years, as foretold by Joseph ([Genesis 41:29-30](/genesis/41-29-30 "Joseph's Prophecy of Famine")). In this desperate situation, migration was a common survival strategy, but Jacob's move was unique, divinely directed. God explicitly instructed Jacob to go to Egypt, promising to make him a great nation there and to bring him back ([Genesis 46:3-4](/genesis/46-3-4 "God's Promise to Jacob at Beersheba")). The family's settlement in Goshen, a fertile region suitable for pasturage, was strategically chosen by Joseph to ensure their isolation from Egyptian culture and their ability to thrive, preserving their distinct identity as a family unit destined for nationhood ([Genesis 47:5-6](/genesis/47-5-6 "Pharaoh's Invitation to Settle in Goshen")).
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores several key themes woven throughout Genesis and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Providence**, as God meticulously guides every step of Jacob's family, from Joseph's enslavement to their relocation, ensuring their preservation and growth. Secondly, it is a direct **Fulfillment of Covenant Promises**, particularly those made to Abraham ([Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's Promise to Abraham to Make a Great Nation")) and reiterated to Jacob ([Genesis 35:11](/genesis/35-11 "God's Covenant with Jacob at Bethel")), promising a numerous seed that would become a great nation. The seventy souls are the embryonic form of this promised multitude. Thirdly, it emphasizes the **Formation of a Nation**, marking the transition from a patriarchal family unit to a nascent people group, setting the stage for their miraculous multiplication in Egypt, as detailed in [Exodus 1](/exodus/1 "The Israelites Multiply in Egypt").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **souls (Hebrew, _nephesh'_):** From H5315, this term broadly refers to a "breathing creature," encompassing living beings, persons, or individuals. In this context, its use emphasizes the personal nature of God's meticulous accounting and care for each member of this nascent nation, rather than just a numerical count of bodies. It highlights the vitality and individual existence of each person in Jacob's household.
* **house (Hebrew, _bayith'_):** From H1004, this word denotes a "house" in its broadest sense, extending beyond a physical dwelling to include a family, household, or even a lineage. Here, "house of Jacob" signifies the entire extended family, the patriarchal household, which is the foundational unit from which the nation of Israel would emerge. It underscores the familial and relational aspect of God's covenant people.
* **threescore and ten (Hebrew, _shibʻîym'_):** From H7657, this precisely means "seventy." This specific numerical count is crucial. It represents the complete, divinely appointed number of individuals who formed the initial core of the Israelite nation upon their entry into Egypt. This small, precise number contrasts sharply with the vast multitude they would become, highlighting the miraculous nature of God's promise fulfillment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, [were] two souls:"** This clause specifies the two grandsons of Jacob (Manasseh and Ephraim) who were already in Egypt, having been born to Joseph there. Their inclusion is vital for the total count, as they were part of Jacob's direct lineage but did not "come into Egypt" with the main contingent. This detail ensures the comprehensive nature of the census.
* **"all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, [were] threescore and ten."** This concluding statement provides the grand total of the entire family unit that migrated to Egypt. This number (70) is derived by combining the 66 direct descendants of Jacob who journeyed from Canaan (as itemized in [Genesis 46:8-26](/genesis/46-8-26 "Jacob's Descendants Listed")), plus Jacob himself, and Joseph and his two sons who were already in Egypt. This precise total underscores the meticulous nature of the biblical record and the divine oversight of this pivotal migration.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 46:27 employs several literary devices to convey its profound significance. The most prominent is **Numerical Emphasis**, with the precise figure of "threescore and ten" (70) serving as a critical anchor. This specific number is not arbitrary; it signifies a complete and foundational unit, setting the stage for the exponential growth of Israel. The detailed **Genealogy/Census** presented in the preceding verses and summarized here serves to authenticate the lineage and establish the identity of the nascent nation. This meticulous accounting reinforces the idea of God's careful and intentional work in building His people. Furthermore, the verse functions as a form of **Foreshadowing**, subtly hinting at the future miraculous multiplication of the Israelites in Egypt, which will be dramatically revealed in the opening chapters of Exodus, transforming this small family into a vast multitude.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 46:27 stands as a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and meticulous planning in the unfolding of His redemptive purposes. The arrival of Jacob's entire household in Egypt, precisely numbered at seventy souls, is not merely a historical record but a profound demonstration of God's commitment to His covenant promises. This small, vulnerable family unit represents the embryonic stage of the nation of Israel, the very seed through whom God would reveal His law, establish His kingdom, and ultimately bring forth the Messiah. God's sovereign hand is evident in every detail, from Joseph's providential rise to power to the precise enumeration of those entering Egypt, ensuring the preservation and growth of His chosen lineage despite famine and displacement.

* [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's Promise to Abraham to Make a Great Nation") - God promises Abraham that He will make him into a great nation, a promise that begins its tangible fulfillment with this small family.
* [Genesis 35:11](/genesis/35-11 "God's Covenant with Jacob at Bethel") - God reiterates to Jacob that a nation and a company of nations shall come from him, directly correlating with the establishment of this family unit in Egypt.
* [Exodus 1:7](/exodus/1-7 "The Israelites Multiply in Egypt") - This verse vividly describes the miraculous multiplication of the Israelites in Egypt, demonstrating the dramatic fulfillment of the promise made to the 70 souls.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 46:27 offers a profound lesson in divine faithfulness and the power of small beginnings. From a seemingly insignificant family of seventy individuals, God raised a mighty nation, as vividly described in [Exodus 1:7](/exodus/1-7 "Israel's Multiplication in Egypt"). This narrative encourages believers to place their trust in God's unwavering commitment to His promises, even when present circumstances appear challenging, or the starting point seems small and vulnerable. It teaches us that God meticulously cares for His people and orchestrates all events, even hardship and displacement, according to His perfect plan to bring about His ultimate purposes. Our faith is often tested in the "seventy" moments of our lives, where the vision seems too grand for the meager resources or the humble start. Yet, this verse reminds us that God's power is not limited by our numerical strength or apparent weakness; He delights in using the small to accomplish the magnificent, demonstrating His ability to do exceedingly more than we can imagine from the slightest of foundations.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the precise number of seventy souls entering Egypt highlight God's meticulous care and sovereignty over seemingly ordinary events?**
* **In what "small beginnings" in your own life or in the life of your community have you seen God's faithfulness at work, leading to unexpected growth or fulfillment?**
* **What promises of God, though perhaps appearing distant or requiring a humble start, are you trusting Him to fulfill in your life today?**

### FAQ
**Why does Genesis 46:27 state 70 souls while Acts 7:14 mentions 75?**

Answer: The apparent discrepancy between the 70 souls in [Genesis 46:27](/genesis/46-27 "Jacob's Household Enters Egypt") and the 75 souls mentioned by Stephen in [Acts 7:14](/acts/7-14 "Stephen's Account of Jacob's Family") arises from different counting methodologies and textual traditions. The Genesis account, particularly [Genesis 46:26](/genesis/46-26 "Number of Jacob's Descendants"), typically counts the 66 direct descendants of Jacob who came with him from Canaan, plus Jacob himself, and Joseph and his two sons (Manasseh and Ephraim) who were already in Egypt, totaling 70. Stephen's account in Acts, which aligns with the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament), likely includes additional family members such as the wives of Jacob's sons (though not explicitly listed in Genesis 46) or other close "kindred" who were part of the larger group associated with the move. Both accounts are considered accurate based on their specific scope and inclusion criteria, reflecting different, yet valid, ways of enumerating the family unit.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The formation of the nation of Israel, commencing with the precise count of seventy souls entering Egypt, is a pivotal step in God's overarching redemptive history that finds its ultimate culmination in Jesus Christ. This numerically small family unit was the chosen lineage, the very "seed" through whom the Messiah would come. The covenant promises made to Abraham, that he would be the father of a great nation ([Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's Promise to Abraham")), and reiterated to Jacob, that a multitude of nations would spring from him ([Genesis 35:11](/genesis/35-11 "God's Covenant with Jacob at Bethel")), find their ultimate fulfillment not merely in the numerical increase of a people, but in the singular "seed" who is Christ ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "The Promise to Abraham and His Seed")). The miraculous preservation and exponential growth of this family in Egypt, against all odds, ensured the continuation of the messianic line, demonstrating God's sovereign hand guiding all of history towards the incarnation of His Son and the salvation offered through Jesus Christ, the true Israel, and the one in whom all God's promises are definitively "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "God's Promises in Christ")).

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

Acts 7:14

Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to [him], and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls.

Deuteronomy 10:22

Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons; and now the LORD thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude.

Exodus 1:5

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

Exodus 24:1

¶ And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off.