Genesis 46:8

And these [are] the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn.

And these are the names {H8034} of the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, which came {H935} into Egypt {H4714}, Jacob {H3290} and his sons {H1121}: Reuben {H7205}, Jacob's {H3290} firstborn {H1060}.

These are the names of Isra'el's children who came into Egypt, Ya'akov and his sons: Re'uven Ya'akov's firstborn;

Now these are the names of the sons of Israel (Jacob and his descendants) who went to Egypt: Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn.

And these are the names of the children of Israel, who came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob’s first-born.

Commentary

Genesis 46:8 marks the beginning of a vital genealogical record, detailing the descendants of Jacob, also known as Israel, who journeyed into Egypt. This verse specifically introduces Reuben, Jacob's firstborn son, commencing the enumeration of the family that would grow into a mighty nation.

Context

This verse initiates a significant census of Jacob's entire household as they prepare to settle in Egypt. It follows the dramatic reunion of Jacob with his long-lost son Joseph, who had become a powerful vizier in Egypt (Genesis 45:28). Pharaoh himself had extended a generous invitation for Jacob's family to reside in the fertile land of Goshen (Genesis 45:10). This migration, driven by a severe famine in Canaan, was not merely a survival tactic but a crucial step in the fulfillment of God's earlier covenant promises to Abraham and Jacob that their descendants would become a great nation, even spending time in a foreign land (Genesis 15:13).

Key Themes

  • Divine Providence and Fulfillment of Promise: The journey to Egypt, though prompted by famine, was part of God's intricate plan for the nascent nation of Israel. It was a necessary stage for their growth before the Exodus.
  • The Formation of a Nation: The meticulous listing of individuals underscores the collective identity of "the children of Israel," emphasizing that a family unit was about to be transformed into a distinct people.
  • Patriarchal Lineage and Covenant: The precise naming of Jacob's sons, beginning with Reuben as the firstborn, highlights the importance of lineage, inheritance, and the continuation of God's covenant through specific families.

Linguistic Insights

The name "Israel" (Hebrew: Yisra'el) means "he struggles with God" or "God strives," a name given to Jacob after his wrestling match with an angelic being (Genesis 32:28). This name signifies the unique, often challenging, but ultimately blessed covenant relationship God had with Jacob and, by extension, his descendants. The phrase "children of Israel" therefore emphasizes their identity as God's chosen people, heirs to His promises.

Practical Application

This passage reminds us that even during times of hardship and forced relocation, God is actively working behind the scenes to fulfill His sovereign purposes. The detailed record-keeping reflects God's care and attention to every individual within His larger plan for humanity. It encourages us to trust in God's providence, knowing that He orchestrates events for the good of His people, even when circumstances seem dire or uncertain. The growth of Jacob's family into a multitude in Egypt (Exodus 1:7) is a testament to God's faithfulness to His word.

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Cross-References

  • Exodus 1:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ Now these [are] the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt; every man and his household came with Jacob.

  • Exodus 1:5 (3 votes)

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

  • 1 Chronicles 2:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ These [are] the sons of Israel; Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun,

  • 1 Chronicles 2:55 (3 votes)

    And the families of the scribes which dwelt at Jabez; the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, [and] Suchathites. These [are] the Kenites that came of Hemath, the father of the house of Rechab.

  • Numbers 26:4 (2 votes)

    [Take the sum of the people], from twenty years old and upward; as the LORD commanded Moses and the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt.

  • Numbers 26:11 (2 votes)

    Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not.

  • Deuteronomy 33:6 (2 votes)

    ¶ Let Reuben live, and not die; and let [not] his men be few.