Genesis 46:4

KJV

I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up [again]: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes.

KJV (with Strong's)

I will go down {H3381} with thee into Egypt {H4714}; and I will also surely {H5927} bring thee up {H5927} again: and Joseph {H3130} shall put {H7896} his hand {H3027} upon thine eyes {H5869}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Not only will I go down with you to Egypt; but I will also bring you back here again, after Yosef has closed your eyes."

Berean Standard Bible

I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will surely bring you back. And Joseph’s own hands will close your eyes.”

American Standard Version

I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 46:4 records God's profound reassurance to Jacob (Israel) at Beersheba, as he prepared to journey to Egypt to reunite with Joseph. This divine promise alleviated Jacob's apprehension about leaving the promised land, guaranteeing God's accompanying presence throughout the sojourn, the future return of his descendants to Canaan, and the deeply personal comfort of Joseph's presence at his death, thereby setting the stage for the next crucial phase of Israel's covenant history and the formation of a nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment following Jacob's receipt of the astonishing news that his long-lost son, Joseph, was not only alive but was also the powerful ruler of Egypt ([Genesis 45:28](/genesis/45-28 "Jacob hears Joseph is alive")). Despite the overwhelming joy and the urgency of the famine, Jacob paused his journey at Beersheba, a site of significant patriarchal encounters. Before God's direct intervention in verse 4, Jacob had offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac, indicating his deep spiritual apprehension and desire for divine affirmation before undertaking such a momentous and potentially irreversible move away from the Promised Land ([Genesis 46:1](/genesis/46-1 "Jacob journeys to Beersheba and sacrifices")). God's appearance to Jacob in a night vision is a direct response to Jacob's seeking and provides the necessary divine mandate and comfort for the upcoming journey and the future of his lineage.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jacob's journey to Egypt was not merely a family reunion but a significant migration with profound implications for the nascent nation of Israel. Egypt at this time was a powerful, highly organized civilization, often seen as a place of both refuge and potential spiritual danger for Abraham's descendants. The custom of a beloved son closing the eyes of a dying parent was a deeply intimate and culturally significant act, symbolizing a peaceful passing and the continuity of the family line. For Jacob, who had endured years of grief over Joseph's presumed death and the recent famine, the promise of Joseph performing this final act offered immense personal solace, assuring him of a blessed end surrounded by his most cherished son, rather than dying alone in a foreign land. Beersheba itself held historical and cultural significance as a place where Abraham and Isaac had built altars and received divine promises, making it a fitting location for God to reaffirm His covenant with Jacob.

* **Key Themes:** Genesis 46:4 powerfully reinforces several overarching themes found throughout the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Guidance and Providence**, demonstrating God's active involvement in directing the lives of His covenant people, even when their path seems to lead them away from the Promised Land. Secondly, it underscores **God's Unwavering Covenant Faithfulness**, as He reaffirms the promises made to Abraham and Isaac, ensuring the preservation and future growth of the chosen lineage despite the temporary relocation to Egypt, as prophesied earlier in [Genesis 15:13-16](/genesis/15-13-16 "God's covenant with Abraham and prophecy of Egyptian sojourn"). Thirdly, the verse emphasizes **The Preservation of the Seed**, showing how God uses challenging circumstances, like famine, and human agents, like Joseph, to ensure the survival and multiplication of the family through whom His redemptive plan would unfold. Finally, it speaks to **Personal Comfort and Assurance**, as God addresses Jacob's specific fears, providing a deeply personal promise that transcends the national implications and offers peace to an aged patriarch facing the unknown.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **go down (Hebrew, _yârad'_ H3381):** A primitive root meaning "to descend" or "to go downwards." It can refer literally to physical movement to a lower region (as into Egypt, which was geographically lower than Canaan) or figuratively to a fall or subjugation. In this context, it describes the physical act of Jacob's family migrating into Egypt, but also carries a subtle undertone of a temporary "descent" or separation from the immediate blessings of the Promised Land, which God promises to accompany.
* **bring thee up (Hebrew, _ʻâlâh'_ H5927):** A primitive root meaning "to ascend" or "to mount." It is used in a wide variety of senses, including to "come up," "rise," or "bring up." Here, the Hebrew uses a causative form (Hiphil), "I will cause you to come up," emphasizing God's active, certain, and divinely initiated action in bringing Israel out of Egypt. This word directly foreshadows the future Exodus, promising not just Jacob's personal return (for burial) but primarily the eventual, national deliverance of his descendants.
* **hand (Hebrew, _yâd'_ H3027):** A primitive word referring to "a hand" (the open one, indicating power, means, direction). It is used in a vast array of literal and figurative applications. In the phrase "put his hand upon thine eyes," it refers to the physical hand used in the ancient custom of closing the eyes of the deceased. This specific use highlights Joseph's filial duty and the tender, comforting presence he would provide at Jacob's death, signifying a peaceful and blessed end.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I will go down with thee into Egypt":** This clause is a profound declaration of divine presence and accompaniment. God assures Jacob that He will not abandon him or his family as they descend into a foreign land. This underscores God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, even when their path leads them away from the land of promise for a season. It echoes the theme of God's omnipresence and care for His own, providing comfort in times of uncertainty and validating Jacob's difficult decision to leave Canaan.
* **"and I will also surely bring thee up [again]":** This phrase carries immense prophetic weight, foreshadowing the future Exodus. While Jacob himself was indeed brought back to Canaan for burial ([Genesis 50:13](/genesis/50-13 "Jacob's burial in Canaan")), the primary promise here refers to the future nation of Israel. God assures Jacob that his descendants, who would multiply greatly in Egypt, would indeed be brought back to the Promised Land. The emphatic repetition in the Hebrew (a figure known as the infinitive absolute, `ha'aleh a'alekka`) means "I will certainly bring you up," emphasizing the certainty and divine initiative of the return, highlighting God's active role in orchestrating the future deliverance of His people from bondage ([Exodus 3:8](/exodus/3-8 "God's promise to bring Israel out of Egypt")).
* **"and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes":** This was an ancient custom signifying a peaceful and blessed death, where the dying person's closest relative or beloved son would perform the final act of closing their eyes. For Jacob, this was a deeply personal comfort. It assured him that he would not die alone in a foreign land, but with his favored son, Joseph, by his side, providing the ultimate act of filial devotion. This promise brought immense solace to an aged patriarch, ensuring his final moments would be surrounded by love and family, alleviating a deep-seated fear of dying far from his ancestral burial place and without his beloved son.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 46:4 employs several powerful literary devices. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in God's declaration, "I will go down with thee," portraying the transcendent God as personally accompanying Jacob on his physical journey, making His presence tangible and relatable. The phrase "I will also surely bring thee up [again]" utilizes **Foreshadowing**, pointing directly to the future Exodus of the Israelite nation from Egypt, long before it occurred. This is reinforced by the use of the Hebrew **Infinitive Absolute** (`ha'aleh a'alekka`), which provides an emphatic certainty to the divine promise of return, acting as a strong rhetorical device to underscore God's unwavering commitment. Finally, the specific detail, "Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes," serves as **Symbolism** for a peaceful, blessed, and familial death, providing a deeply personal and comforting image amidst the grander national prophecies. This detail also acts as a form of **Irony of Fulfillment**, as Jacob had grieved Joseph for years, believing him dead, only for Joseph to be the one to provide this ultimate comfort.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 46:4 is a profound testament to God's multifaceted faithfulness, demonstrating His personal care for individuals within the grand sweep of His redemptive plan. It assures Jacob of God's immediate presence in his journey into the unknown, while simultaneously providing a long-range prophetic vision for the future of his descendants. This divine assurance encapsulates the themes of God's sovereignty over history, His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises despite challenging circumstances, and His intimate knowledge of and provision for the deepest fears and desires of His people. The promise that Joseph would close Jacob's eyes provides a deeply personal layer of comfort, illustrating that God's faithfulness extends not only to national destiny but also to individual peace in life's final moments.

* [Deuteronomy 31:6](/deuteronomy/31-6 "God's promise to be with Israel")
* [Psalm 105:23](/psalm/105-23 "Israel's descent into Egypt")
* [Hebrews 13:5](/hebrews/13-5 "God will never leave or forsake us")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 46:4 offers profound lessons for believers today, reminding us that even when facing uncertain or challenging transitions, God promises His unfailing presence and guidance. Just as He assured Jacob of His accompaniment into Egypt and His future plan for his descendants, He assures us that He is with us through every "descent" or difficult period in our lives, whether it be a career change, a geographical move, a health crisis, or a season of doubt. His faithfulness to His promises, even across generations and through seemingly adverse circumstances, provides a steadfast foundation for our hope. We can trust that God has a larger, sovereign plan, and even when circumstances seem to lead us away from what we expect or desire, He remains committed to bringing His purposes to fruition. Furthermore, the deeply personal comfort promised to Jacob regarding Joseph's presence at his death reminds us that God often provides specific, intimate assurances and provisions that address our unique fears and longings, demonstrating His tender care alongside His grand designs.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "descents" or uncertain transitions are you facing in your life right now, and how does God's promise to "go down with you" bring comfort?**
* **How does the certainty of God's long-term plan, as seen in His promise to "surely bring thee up again," impact your perspective on current difficulties?**
* **In what ways has God provided you with a "Joseph" – a specific, personal comfort or assurance – during a time of fear or uncertainty?**
* **How can reflecting on God's faithfulness to Jacob strengthen your trust in His promises for your own life and future?**

### FAQ
**Why was Jacob hesitant to go to Egypt, despite Joseph being there?**

Answer: Jacob's hesitation stemmed from several profound factors. Primarily, it was the thought of leaving the Promised Land of Canaan, which God had sworn to give to his descendants as an eternal inheritance ([Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God's promise of land to Abraham"); [Genesis 13:15](/genesis/13-15 "God's promise of land to Abraham")). Moving to Egypt, a foreign land, could be perceived as a departure from God's covenant plan and a potential loss of the divine blessing associated with the land. Additionally, the sheer scale of moving his entire family, livestock, and possessions, coupled with the uncertainty of life in a new, powerful, and potentially idolatrous country, likely caused significant apprehension for the aged patriarch. His pause at Beersheba to offer sacrifices and seek God's will highlights his deep reliance on divine guidance before undertaking such a momentous and potentially irreversible step for his family and the future of the covenant people.

**What is the significance of God appearing to Jacob at Beersheba?**

Answer: Beersheba was a highly significant patriarchal site, a place where Abraham and Isaac had both sojourned, dug wells, and called upon the name of the Lord ([Genesis 21:33](/genesis/21-33 "Abraham calls on the Lord at Beersheba"); [Genesis 26:23-25](/genesis/26-23-25 "Isaac builds an altar at Beersheba")). By appearing to Jacob at Beersheba, God was reaffirming His covenant with Jacob in the same lineage and at a location rich with ancestral promises. This act underscored the continuity of the covenant across generations and provided Jacob with a familiar, sacred context for receiving this crucial divine reassurance. It served to validate his journey and remind him that the God who had been with his forefathers was still with him, ensuring the fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham and Isaac despite the temporary departure from the Promised Land.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 46:4, while rooted in Jacob's personal journey and the formation of Israel, powerfully foreshadows the greater divine accompaniment and deliverance found in Christ. Just as God promised to "go down with" Jacob into Egypt, so Christ, Immanuel ("God with us"), truly descended into humanity, sharing our earthly sojourn, our trials, and even death, to be present with us in our deepest "descents" into suffering, sin, and despair ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word became flesh"); [Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6-8 "Christ's humility and incarnation")). The promise to "surely bring thee up again" points not only to the historical Exodus but ultimately to Christ's resurrection, which guarantees the future resurrection and glorification of all who are in Him, bringing them out of the "Egypt" of sin and death into the true Promised Land of eternal life ([Romans 8:11](/romans/8-11 "The Spirit raises us from the dead"); [1 Corinthians 15:20-22](/1_corinthians/15-20-22 "Christ as the firstfruits of resurrection")). Moreover, Christ is the ultimate "Joseph," the beloved Son who provides comfort and assurance in the face of death. He has conquered death, and through faith in Him, believers are assured of His presence to usher them into eternal life, fulfilling the deepest longings for security and belonging that Jacob experienced, and providing the ultimate peace that surpasses all understanding ([John 14:1-3](/john/14-1-3 "Jesus promises to return for His disciples"); [Revelation 21:4](/rev/21-4 "God will wipe away every tear")).

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 3:8

And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.

Genesis 50:1

¶ And Joseph fell upon his father's face, and wept upon him, and kissed him.

Genesis 48:21

And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers.

Genesis 28:15

And, behold, I [am] with thee, and will keep thee in all [places] whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done [that] which I have spoken to thee of.

Genesis 50:5

My father made me swear, saying, Lo, I die: in my grave which I have digged for me in the land of Canaan, there shalt thou bury me. Now therefore let me go up, I pray thee, and bury my father, and I will come again.

Isaiah 43:1

¶ 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

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.