Genesis 46:8-34
The Household Comes to Egypt
8Now these are the names of the sons of Israel (Jacob and his descendants) who went to Egypt: Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn.
9The sons of Reuben: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
10The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman.
11The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
12The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah; but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. The sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul.
13The sons of Issachar: Tola, Puvah, Job, and Shimron.
14The sons of Zebulun: Sered, Elon, and Jahleel.
15These are the sons of Leah born to Jacob in Paddan-aram, in addition to his daughter Dinah. The total number of sons and daughters was thirty-three.
16The sons of Gad: Ziphion, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi, and Areli.
17The children of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and their sister Serah. The sons of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel.
18These are the sons of Jacob born to Zilpah—whom Laban gave to his daughter Leah—sixteen in all.
19The sons of Jacob’s wife Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin.
20Manasseh and Ephraim were born to Joseph in the land of Egypt by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.
21The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard.
22These are the sons of Rachel born to Jacob—fourteen in all.
23The son of Dan: Hushim.
24The sons of Naphtali: Jahzeel, Guni, Jezer, and Shillem.
25These are the sons of Jacob born to Bilhah, whom Laban gave to his daughter Rachel—seven in all.
26All those belonging to Jacob who came to Egypt—his direct descendants, besides the wives of Jacob’s sons—numbered sixty-six persons.
27And with the two sons who had been born to Joseph in Egypt, the members of Jacob’s family who went to Egypt were seventy in all.
28Now Jacob had sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to get directions to Goshen. When Jacob’s family arrived in the land of Goshen,
29Joseph prepared his chariot and went there to meet his father Israel. Joseph presented himself to him, embraced him, and wept profusely.
30Then Israel said to Joseph, “Finally I can die, now that I have seen your face and know that you are still alive!”
31Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “I will go up and inform Pharaoh: ‘My brothers and my father’s household from the land of Canaan have come to me.
32The men are shepherds; they raise livestock, and they have brought their flocks and herds and all that they own.’
33When Pharaoh summons you and asks, ‘What is your occupation?’
34you are to say, ‘Your servants have raised livestock ever since our youth—both we and our fathers.’ Then you will be allowed to settle in the land of Goshen, since all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians.”
Berean Standard Bible
Genesis names the members of Jacob's household who came to Egypt. The list begins with Reuben and his sons, then Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dinah, Gad, Asher, Joseph and his sons, and Benjamin. It includes sons, daughters, and grandchildren. The record is more than a headcount. It shows a family carrying its whole history into a new land.
Some names recall grief and conflict. Er and Onan are named among Judah's sons, though they died in Canaan. Dinah is named among Jacob's descendants after the violence at Shechem. Joseph's sons Manasseh and Ephraim were born in Egypt before the rest of the family arrived. The list holds loss, survival, and new branches together.
The total of Jacob's household is seventy, counting the people who came with him to Egypt. Joseph is already there. Jacob sends Judah ahead to Joseph to show the way to Goshen. When they arrive in Goshen, Joseph prepares his chariot and goes up to meet his father. He presents himself to Israel, falls on his neck, and weeps a long time.
Israel says that he can die now because he has seen Joseph's face and knows Joseph is alive. Joseph tells his brothers and his father's household that he will go up to Pharaoh and explain that they are shepherds who have always cared for livestock. When Pharaoh asks their occupation, they should say they are keepers of livestock, so they may settle in Goshen. Egyptians consider shepherds detestable, and Joseph plans their answer carefully.
The family arrives with its truth, its vulnerabilities, and its work. Joseph's wisdom creates a place where they can live without pretending to be someone else.
Questions
1 What does the list record?
AnswerIt records Jacob’s household, including sons, daughters, and grandchildren.
2 Where did Jacob’s family settle?
AnswerThey settled in Goshen.
3 How did Joseph greet Jacob?
AnswerJoseph met him, fell on his neck, and wept for a long time.
4 What work did the family do?
AnswerThey were shepherds and keepers of livestock.
What This Means for Us
Lists become meaningful when we remember the people inside them. Welcome whole families, including the members whose stories are complicated or easy to overlook. When entering a new community, tell the truth about your work and needs while learning how the community sees your way of life. Wise preparation can protect a family without requiring dishonesty.
Prayer
God who knows every name, help us welcome whole households with patience and care. Give families wisdom when entering unfamiliar communities, and protect them from having to hide their work or identity. Let reunions bring healing, and let our household remember the vulnerable people inside every list. Amen.