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    Genesis 46 (KJV)

    Read Genesis chapter 46 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

    Genesis 46

    Deep Verse Commentaries in This Chapter

    Genesis 46:3

    "And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go…"

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    Genesis 46 Summary

    Genesis 46 records Jacob's journey to Egypt with his entire family — seventy souls in all. At Beersheba, God appears to Jacob in a night vision with reassurance: 'Fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation.' The chapter includes a detailed genealogy of Jacob's descendants who entered Egypt.

    The emotional climax comes when Joseph meets his father after twenty-two years of separation. Joseph falls on Jacob's neck and weeps 'a good while.' Jacob declares, 'Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive.' This moment of reunion, long delayed and deeply felt, is one of Scripture's tenderest scenes.

    Key Themes

    Journey to EgyptGod's reassuranceFamily genealogyFather-son reunionSeventy souls

    Key Verses in Genesis 46

    "Fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation: I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again."

    — Genesis 46:3-4

    God promises His presence in an uncertain move — and guarantees the return.

    "And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while."

    — Genesis 46:29

    Twenty-two years of separation end in an embrace — grief transformed to joy.

    "Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive."

    — Genesis 46:30

    Jacob's deepest grief was believing Joseph was dead — seeing him alive makes death itself acceptable.

    Life Application

    God told Jacob to go to Egypt — a place associated with danger in Abraham's story — and promised to go with him. Sometimes God leads you to unexpected, even intimidating places with the assurance of His presence. The destination matters less than the company. And reunions long thought impossible may be waiting in the very place you feared to go.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Why did Jacob's family go to Egypt?

    Severe famine drove them south, and Joseph — now Egypt's second-in-command — had prepared the land of Goshen for them. God confirmed the move in a vision, promising to make Jacob's family into a great nation there and eventually bring them back to Canaan.

    How many of Jacob's family went to Egypt?

    Genesis 46:27 counts seventy souls (the Septuagint and Acts 7:14 say seventy-five, possibly including additional descendants). This small family would grow into the nation of Israel during four centuries in Egypt, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham.

    Read the full summary of Genesis

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