Genesis 46:6

KJV

And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him:

KJV (with Strong's)

And they took {H3947} their cattle {H4735}, and their goods {H7399}, which they had gotten {H7408} in the land {H776} of Canaan {H3667}, and came {H935} into Egypt {H4714}, Jacob {H3290}, and all his seed {H2233} with him:

Complete Jewish Bible

They took their cattle and their possessions which they had acquired in the land of Kena'an and arrived in Egypt, Ya'akov and all his descendants with him -

Berean Standard Bible

They also took the livestock and possessions they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and Jacob and all his offspring went to Egypt.

American Standard Version

And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 46:6 marks a pivotal moment in biblical history, chronicling the departure of Jacob's entire household from the land of Canaan and their entry into Egypt. This verse details the comprehensive nature of their migration, emphasizing the inclusion of their valuable livestock and accumulated possessions, alongside Jacob and all his descendants. It signifies the physical commencement of a divinely orchestrated journey, essential for the preservation and future proliferation of God's chosen people in the face of a severe regional famine.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 46:6 immediately follows God's reaffirmation of His covenant promises to Jacob at Beersheba ([Genesis 46:1-4](/genesis/46-1-4 "God's Promise to Jacob at Beersheba")), assuring him of His presence during the journey to Egypt and the promise of a great nation to emerge from him there. This divine assurance dispelled Jacob's initial apprehension about leaving the Promised Land. The preceding chapters detail Joseph's rise to power in Egypt and his emotional reunion with his brothers, culminating in his invitation for his family to settle in Goshen ([Genesis 45:16-20](/genesis/45-16-20 "Pharaoh's Invitation and Joseph's Provision")). Thus, verse 6 serves as the narrative hinge, transitioning from the family's decision and divine sanction to the physical act of migration, setting the stage for the next phase of Israel's formation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Near East was frequently susceptible to severe and widespread famines, as evidenced by the seven years of famine foretold by Joseph ([Genesis 41:29-30](/genesis/41-29-30 "Joseph's Interpretation of Pharaoh's Dream")). For nomadic or semi-nomadic peoples like Jacob's family, livestock represented their primary wealth and means of survival. Moving such a large household, complete with herds and accumulated goods, was a monumental undertaking, requiring significant planning and resources, which Joseph had provided through wagons and provisions ([Genesis 45:21](/genesis/45-21 "Pharaoh's Command and Joseph's Wagons")). Egypt, with its fertile Nile Delta region (Goshen), was renowned as a granary, making it a logical refuge during times of famine, especially under the stable administration of a vizier like Joseph.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores God's **sovereign providence** in orchestrating events, even adversity like famine, to fulfill His redemptive purposes, specifically the preservation of His covenant people. The migration highlights the theme of **divine guidance and faithfulness**, as God leads Jacob's family to a place of safety and growth, fulfilling His promises to the patriarchs concerning their numerous descendants. Furthermore, it marks a critical step in the **formation of a nation** from a family, foreshadowing the later exodus and the establishment of Israel as God's chosen people, a narrative arc that begins with their entry into Egypt.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 46:6 succinctly describes the comprehensive nature of Jacob's family's relocation: "And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him." The verse emphasizes the totality of their commitment to this new phase, highlighting not just the patriarch but the entirety of his lineage, signifying the foundational nature of this migration for the formation of the nation of Israel.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **took (Hebrew, _lâqach_'):** H3947, a primitive root meaning "to take (in the widest variety of applications)." In this context, it signifies the active collection and removal of their possessions, indicating a deliberate and comprehensive relocation rather than a temporary visit. It implies a full commitment to the journey, uprooting their established life.
* **cattle (Hebrew, _miqneh_'):** H4735, from קָנָה, meaning "something bought, i.e. property, but only livestock; abstractly, acquisition." This term specifically refers to their herds and flocks, which were their primary form of wealth and sustenance in an agrarian-pastoral society. The inclusion of "cattle" underscores the economic and practical necessities driving their move, as well as the significant material assets they were transporting.
* **goods (Hebrew, _rᵉkûwsh_'):** H7399, or רְכֻשׁ, from passive participle of רָכַשׁ, meaning "property (as gathered)." This term encompasses all other accumulated possessions beyond livestock, such as household items, tools, and other valuables. Together with "cattle," it forms a comprehensive description of all their worldly belongings, emphasizing the complete transfer of their earthly estate from Canaan to Egypt.
* **seed (Hebrew, _zeraʻ_'):** H2233, from זָרַע, meaning "seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity." In this verse, "seed" refers to Jacob's entire posterity and descendants, encompassing not just his immediate children but the future generations that would spring from him. This term carries profound theological weight, underscoring the foundational nature of this migration for the formation of the nation of Israel and the continuation of the covenant line.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan":** This clause describes the material aspect of the migration. "They" refers to Jacob's family, acting collectively under his patriarchal leadership. The phrase "cattle, and their goods" indicates the entirety of their movable wealth, signifying a complete uprooting from their established life in Canaan. The inclusion of "which they had gotten" emphasizes that these were not just inherited possessions but wealth accumulated through their own labor and God's blessing in the land promised to their forefathers.
* **"and came into Egypt":** This concise phrase states the destination and the primary action of the verse. It marks the physical entry into a foreign land, a significant geographical and cultural shift that would profoundly impact the family's future. This journey was not merely a relocation but a divinely guided step towards the fulfillment of God's larger redemptive plan.
* **"Jacob, and all his seed with him":** This final clause highlights the human element and the profound theological significance of the migration. "Jacob" represents the patriarch, the head of the covenant family. "And all his seed with him" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the move, including every descendant, signifying the preservation of the entire lineage. This phrase underscores that the move was not just for Jacob's personal safety but for the survival and future growth of the nascent nation of Israel, the "seed" through whom God's promises would be realized.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Merism** by listing "cattle" and "goods" to comprehensively represent all of Jacob's possessions, indicating the totality of what they brought with them. This literary technique emphasizes the complete transfer of their earthly estate. Furthermore, the phrase "Jacob, and all his seed with him" uses **Synecdoche**, where "Jacob" stands for the entire patriarchal family unit, signifying that the patriarch's journey was intrinsically linked to the destiny of his entire lineage. The very act of migration, driven by famine and divinely sanctioned, serves as **Foreshadowing** of the future sojourn in Egypt, the eventual oppression, and the miraculous exodus, laying the groundwork for Israel's national identity and unique relationship with God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This migration is a profound demonstration of God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, particularly those made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Despite the challenging circumstances of a severe famine, God orchestrates events—from Joseph's rise to power to the provision of a safe haven in Egypt—to ensure the preservation and growth of the covenant family. This move, though seemingly a retreat from the Promised Land, was a strategic repositioning by divine design, allowing the family to multiply into a great nation, as promised, before their eventual return. It underscores that God's plans are often realized through unexpected paths and even through adversity.

* [God's Covenant with Abraham](/genesis/12-1-3 "God's Call and Promise to Abraham")
* [God's Promise of a Great Nation](/genesis/15-5 "God's Promise of Descendants to Abraham")
* [God's Presence with Jacob in Egypt](/genesis/46-3-4 "God's Assurance to Jacob at Beersheba")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 46:6 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, reminding us that God's sovereign hand is active in all circumstances, even those that seem disruptive or challenging. Just as Jacob's family was called to leave the familiar and trust God's leading into an unknown land, we too are often called to step out in faith, trusting that God is orchestrating our lives for His greater purposes. This verse encourages us to embrace seasons of transition and uncertainty with confidence, knowing that God is faithful to His promises and will provide for us, even when it requires significant changes or sacrifices. It calls us to bring our entire lives—our possessions, our families, our future—into submission to His divine will, believing that He is working all things together for our good and His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might God be calling you to "uproot" from the familiar and trust Him in a new season or direction?**
* **How does the story of Jacob's family moving to Egypt encourage you to trust God's providence during times of uncertainty or adversity?**
* **What "cattle and goods" (possessions, priorities, comforts) might you need to re-evaluate or release in order to fully align with God's leading in your life?**
* **How does understanding God's faithfulness to Jacob's "seed" impact your confidence in His faithfulness to His promises for your own life and future?**

### FAQ
**Why was Egypt chosen as the place for Jacob's family to grow into a nation?**

Answer: Egypt, specifically the fertile region of Goshen, was divinely chosen for several strategic reasons. Under Joseph's wise administration, it offered a secure and abundant environment where Jacob's family could be protected from the devastating famine in Canaan. This temporary dwelling provided a unique opportunity for the relatively small family to multiply rapidly without immediate assimilation or conflict with the Canaanite peoples, thus preserving their distinct identity. Furthermore, this sojourn in Egypt fulfilled God's earlier prophecy to Abraham concerning his descendants' sojourn and affliction before their triumphant return to the Promised Land ([Genesis 15:13-16](/genesis/15-13-16 "God's Prophecy to Abraham of Israel's Bondage and Deliverance")), serving as a necessary crucible for their development into a numerous and distinct nation under God's tutelage, preparing them for the reception of the Law and the inheritance of Canaan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The preservation of Jacob's "seed" through this pivotal migration to Egypt is profoundly Christ-centered, forming an indispensable link in God's unfolding redemptive narrative. This event ensures the unbroken continuation of the covenant line, the very lineage through which the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would ultimately enter human history. God's meticulous care for Jacob's family, protecting them from famine and allowing them to multiply in Egypt, underscores His unwavering commitment to His grand redemptive plan, a plan that culminates in the incarnation, atoning death, and glorious resurrection of Christ. The temporary dwelling in Egypt, followed by a miraculous deliverance under Moses, also powerfully foreshadows Christ's ultimate deliverance of His people from the bondage of sin and death, bringing them into the promised eternal inheritance and the true "rest" found in Him ([Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9-10 "The Promise of Rest in Christ")). Just as Jacob's family was led to a place of refuge and growth, so Christ leads His church, His spiritual "seed," through the wilderness of this world to the promised land of eternal life, demonstrating His sovereign care and unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people ([Matthew 2:15](/matthew/2-15 "Hosea's Prophecy Fulfilled in Jesus' Flight to Egypt")).

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 7:15

So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers,

Psalms 105:23

Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.

Isaiah 52:4

For thus saith the Lord GOD, My people went down aforetime into Egypt to sojourn there; and the Assyrian oppressed them without cause.

Joshua 24:4

And I gave unto Isaac Jacob and Esau: and I gave unto Esau mount Seir, to possess it; but Jacob and his children went down into Egypt.

Deuteronomy 26:5

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:

Numbers 20:15

How our fathers went down into Egypt, and we have dwelt in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians vexed us, and our fathers:

Genesis 15:13

And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land [that is] not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;