Genesis 46:3

And he said, I [am] God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:

And he said {H559}, I am God {H410}, the God {H430} of thy father {H1}: fear {H3372} not to go down {H3381} into Egypt {H4714}; for I will there make {H7760} of thee a great {H1419} nation {H1471}:

He said, "I am God, the God of your father. Don't be afraid to go down to Egypt. It is there that I will make you into a great nation.

โ€œI am God,โ€ He said, โ€œthe God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.

And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:

Commentary

Genesis 46:3 records a pivotal moment for Jacob (also called Israel) as he stands at a crossroads, contemplating a move to Egypt. This divine encounter at Beersheba reassures Jacob and confirms God's active involvement in the unfolding story of His people.

Context

At this point in the narrative, a severe famine grips Canaan, and Jacobโ€™s son, Joseph, is the powerful second-in-command in Egypt. Joseph has sent an urgent invitation for his entire family to relocate to Egypt, where he can provide for them (Genesis 45:9-11). Jacob, an old man, is hesitant to leave the land of Canaan, the land promised to his forefathers Abraham and Isaac. His hesitation likely stems from the deep significance of Canaan as the covenant land and the potential dangers or uncertainties of moving to a foreign land like Egypt. As he pauses at Beersheba, a place historically significant for worship and divine encounters for his ancestors, God appears to him.

Key Themes

  • Divine Assurance and Presence: God directly addresses Jacobโ€™s deepest fears with the comforting command, "fear not to go down into Egypt." This highlights God's intimate awareness of Jacob's apprehension and His readiness to provide reassurance. It underscores the theme of God's constant presence and guidance, even when His people are led into unfamiliar territory.
  • Covenant Continuity and Faithfulness: By identifying Himself as "God, the God of thy father," the Lord emphatically links Himself to the covenant established with Abraham and Isaac (e.g., Genesis 28:13). This reinforces that His promises remain active and binding. The specific promise, "for I will there make of thee a great nation," directly echoes the Abrahamic covenant's promise of numerous descendants, assuring Jacob that even in Egypt, God's plan for multiplying his family would continue and flourish.
  • God's Sovereign Direction: This verse reveals that Jacob's move to Egypt is not a detour or a consequence of famine alone, but a divinely ordained step in God's larger redemptive plan. Egypt would become the crucible where Jacob's descendants would grow into a mighty nation before their eventual return to the Promised Land.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "God of thy father" (Hebrew: ืึฑืœึนื”ึตื™ ืึธื‘ึดื™ืšึธ, Elohei Avikha) is a powerful declaration. It serves as a reminder of God's personal, generational faithfulness. It's not a generic deity, but the very God who communed with Abraham and Isaac, affirming His unwavering commitment to their lineage and the covenant promises. The command "fear not" (ืึทืœึพืชึผึดื™ืจึธื, 'al-tira') is a recurring divine imperative throughout the Bible, always accompanied by a reason for confidence, often God's presence or a specific promise.

Practical Application

Genesis 46:3 offers profound comfort and guidance for believers today. When facing significant life changes, uncertain futures, or decisions that involve stepping out of our comfort zones, this verse reminds us that God is aware of our fears. His presence and His promises are sufficient to dispel anxiety. Just as He guided Jacob into a seemingly counter-intuitive path for a greater purpose, God often works in ways we don't immediately understand, always with our ultimate good and His sovereign plan in mind. We are called to trust His leading, even when it feels like a journey into the unknown, because He is faithful to His word and His people.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 12:2 (6 votes)

    And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

  • Deuteronomy 26:5 (6 votes)

    And thou shalt speak and say before the LORD thy God, A Syrian ready to perish [was] my father, and he went down into Egypt, and sojourned there with a few, and became there a nation, great, mighty, and populous:

  • Isaiah 43:1 (3 votes)

    ยถ But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called [thee] by thy name; thou [art] mine.

  • Isaiah 43:2 (3 votes)

    When thou passest through the waters, I [will be] with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

  • Genesis 26:2 (3 votes)

    And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of:

  • Genesis 26:3 (3 votes)

    Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;

  • Genesis 35:11 (3 votes)

    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;