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Genesis 46:26

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All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, which came out of his loins, besides Jacob's sons' wives, all the souls [were] threescore and six;

All the souls {H5315} that came {H935} with Jacob {H3290} into Egypt {H4714}, which came out {H3318} of his loins {H3409}, besides Jacob's {H3290} sons {H1121}' wives {H802}, all the souls {H5315} were threescore {H8346} and six {H8337};

All the people belonging to Ya'akov coming into Egypt, his direct descendants (not counting Ya'akov's sons' wives), totaled sixty-six.

All those belonging to Jacob who came to Egypt—his direct descendants, besides the wives of Jacob’s sons—numbered sixty-six persons.

All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, that came out of his loins, besides Jacob’s sons’ wives, all the souls were threescore and six;

Commentary

Genesis 46:26 provides a specific enumeration of Jacob's direct descendants who journeyed with him into Egypt. This verse is part of a detailed account of the family members who comprised the nascent nation of Israel at a pivotal moment in their history.

Context

This verse is situated within Genesis chapter 46, which meticulously lists all the members of Jacob's household who accompanied him on his journey from Canaan to Egypt during a severe famine. The immediate verses preceding this one enumerate the sons and grandsons of Jacob, organized by their mothers. This particular verse, Genesis 46:26, summarizes the count of those who were direct descendants of Jacob, excluding the wives of his sons. This specific count of "threescore and six" (66) is distinct from the larger total of seventy mentioned in Genesis 46:27, which includes Joseph and his two sons, who were already in Egypt.

Key Themes

  • Divine Faithfulness and Promise: The detailed accounting of Jacob's family underscores God's meticulous care and faithfulness in preserving the lineage through whom His covenant promises would be fulfilled. This small group would eventually grow into a mighty nation, just as God promised to Abraham (Genesis 12:2) and reiterated to Jacob (Genesis 46:3).
  • The Foundation of a Nation: This passage marks a critical transition point. The "souls" listed here represent the literal foundation of the twelve tribes of Israel, poised to grow exponentially during their time in Egypt, setting the stage for the Exodus story.
  • God's Orchestration: The entire narrative, from Joseph's elevation in Egypt to the famine forcing Jacob's family there, demonstrates God's sovereign hand guiding events to bring His people into a place where they could multiply and be preserved.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "came out of his loins" is a common biblical idiom referring to direct biological descendants. It emphasizes the direct familial connection to Jacob. "Threescore and six" is an archaic way of saying 66. The careful distinction between those "out of his loins" and "besides Jacob's sons' wives" highlights that the count is specifically of Jacob's bloodline who made the journey, excluding those who joined the family by marriage or were already in Egypt.

Practical Application

Genesis 46:26, though a numerical verse, carries profound significance. It reminds us that God works through small beginnings to accomplish great purposes. The preservation and growth of Jacob's family, despite challenging circumstances like famine and relocation, is a testament to God's unwavering commitment to His covenant. For believers today, this verse can serve as an encouragement that God's plans are meticulously laid out and His promises are always fulfilled, even when the initial steps seem small or insignificant. It highlights the importance of every individual within God's larger plan, as each "soul" in this count was vital to the formation of Israel and, ultimately, to the lineage of the Messiah.

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

Cross-References

  • Exodus 1:5 (4 votes)

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

  • Judges 8:30 (2 votes)

    And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives.

  • Genesis 35:11 (2 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;