Genesis 46:17 kjv

And the sons of Asher; Jimnah, and Ishuah, and Isui, and Beriah, and Serah their sister: and the sons of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel.

Genesis 46:17 nkjv

The sons of Asher were Jimnah, Ishuah, Isui, Beriah, and Serah, their sister. And the sons of Beriah were Heber and Malchiel.

Genesis 46:17 niv

The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi and Beriah. Their sister was Serah. The sons of Beriah: Heber and Malkiel.

Genesis 46:17 esv

The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, with Serah their sister. And the sons of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel.

Genesis 46:17 nlt

The sons of Asher were Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, and Beriah. Their sister was Serah. Beriah's sons were Heber and Malkiel.

Genesis 46 verses

Genesis 46 17 Meaning

Genesis 46:17 meticulously records the immediate family of Asher, one of Jacob's twelve sons, who journeyed to Egypt. It lists Asher's four sons—Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, and Beriah—and his daughter, Serah. The verse then proceeds to list the two sons of Beriah—Heber and Malchiel—showing the beginnings of the next generation even as the family enters Egypt. This genealogical entry serves as a crucial documentation of the individuals who would form the nascent nation of Israel, illustrating the fulfillment of God's covenant promise to multiply Jacob's descendants.

Genesis 46 17 Context

Genesis 46 marks a pivotal transition in the life of Jacob and his family. Following Joseph's revelation and the command from Pharaoh, Jacob (Israel) prepares to relocate his entire household from Canaan to Egypt to escape a severe famine. This journey is undertaken with God's direct affirmation and promise of blessing and national development in Egypt (Gen 46:3-4). The list of seventy "souls" who descend with Jacob (Gen 46:8-27) is not merely a record of individuals but serves as a foundational document for the nascent nation of Israel. It emphasizes the direct lineage from the patriarchs and signifies the beginning of their growth into a multitude, fulfilling God's covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Verse 17 specifically details Asher's contribution to this expanding family, highlighting the generational continuity from sons to grandsons.

Genesis 46 17 Word analysis

• The sons of Asher: (Hebrew: בְּנֵי אָשֵׁר, B’nei Asher) "Sons of Asher." Asher's name itself (אָשֵׁר, Asher) means "happy" or "blessed," a meaning that aligns with Leah's exclamation upon his birth in Gen 30:13, foretelling the prosperity and abundance associated with this tribe. This phrase marks the distinct familial group within the larger genealogical record, demonstrating the organized structure of Jacob's expanding family unit.
• Imnah, (Hebrew: יִמְנָה, Yimnah) This name implies "prosperity" or "fortune" or is related to "right hand." Names in ancient Near Eastern cultures often carried significant meaning, sometimes reflecting aspirations for the child or perceived circumstances of birth. His later clan is Imnite (Num 26:44).
• Ishvah, (Hebrew: יִשְׁוָה, Yishvah) The name translates to "level," "equal," or "plain." This may refer to the evenness of the land or a characteristic desired for the family line. His clan is later mentioned as the Ishvites (Num 26:44).
• Ishvi, (Hebrew: יִשְׁוִי, Yishwi) Meaning "like me" or "equal to me." It denotes similarity or equality. Like his brothers, Ishvi's lineage continues through the Ishvites (Num 26:44).
• and Beriah, (Hebrew: וּבְרִיעָה, U'Veri'ah) "And Beriah." The name Beriah has debated meanings, including "with a friend," "in evil," "distinguished," or "fat/stout." Some interpretations connect it to adverse circumstances or to a significant individual. This specific listing is notable as it immediately extends into a subsequent generation, marking him as a pivotal link for two grandsons included in the total seventy. His clan is the Berites (Num 26:44).
• and Serah their sister. (Hebrew: וְשֶׂרַח אֲחוֹתָם, V’Serakh Akhotam) "And Serah their sister." Serah's inclusion is highly significant because, with the exception of Dinah (Gen 46:15), she is the only named female descendant of Jacob's sons explicitly listed among the seventy who went to Egypt in Gen 46. Her name (שֶׂרַח, Serakh) can mean "superabundance," "residue," or "to stretch out/extend." Her specific mention implies a unique importance or memory, likely for her continuation of the family line, her remarkable longevity, or her pivotal role in later traditions (e.g., in rabbinic literature, she is credited with being a wise woman who helped Moses locate Joseph's bones during the Exodus, symbolizing wisdom and the link to their heritage). Her appearance here highlights that while genealogies are predominantly patrilineal, women who hold significant roles are remembered.
• And the sons of Beriah: This phrase highlights the multi-generational nature of the "souls" going to Egypt. The listing here of Beriah's sons, as opposed to other direct sons of Asher, underscores the immediate family expansion within specific branches of the clan. This foreshadows the rapid growth that the family will experience in Egypt.
• Heber (Hebrew: חֶבֶר, Cheber) This name means "associate," "community," or "union." It connects to the broader theme of the Israelite community forming a cohesive nation. His descendants are the Heberites (Num 26:45).
• and Malchiel. (Hebrew: וּמַלְכִּיאֵל, U'Malki'el) "And Malchiel." This name is a theophoric name, meaning "My king is God" or "God is king." Such names reflect the piety or theological perspective of the parents, serving as miniature declarations of faith within the genealogical record. His clan is the Malchielites (Num 26:45). This name contrasts with Egyptian deity worship, quietly asserting the sovereignty of God even as the family enters a pagan land.

Genesis 46 17 Bonus section

The specific nature of this genealogical list, only accounting for those who "came with Jacob to Egypt," explains some minor numerical differences when compared to later genealogical lists in the Bible (e.g., Num 26 and 1 Chr 7), which include descendants born in Egypt. This distinction highlights the immediate composition of Jacob's family upon entering Egypt. The recurring biblical emphasis on meticulously kept genealogies (from Genesis through the priestly and chronicler's histories to Matthew and Luke in the New Testament) reinforces the importance of heritage, covenantal continuity, and the divine tracking of human history leading towards a pre-ordained fulfillment in the Person of Jesus Christ, whose own lineage is carefully traced. The names themselves, particularly those like Malchiel ("My King is God"), subtly reflect an ongoing testimony to Yahweh's sovereignty even within seemingly secular historical records.

Genesis 46 17 Commentary

Genesis 46:17, while seemingly a dry list of names, is deeply significant. It serves as an integral part of the foundational documentation of the nation of Israel. Each individual named here, down to the grandsons, is a tangible link in the fulfillment of God's unwavering promise to Abraham and his descendants that they would become a vast and mighty nation (Gen 12:2; 17:6). The precision of these names underscores the meticulous nature of God's providence, overseeing every detail of His covenant plan. The inclusion of Serah, Asher's daughter, in a predominantly male lineage is particularly noteworthy, hinting at a significant role for her and the women who carry the heritage and ensure the continuation of the family, anticipating later examples of important women in salvation history. The detailed family structure here, including grandsons, demonstrates the nascent growth already occurring and prepares the reader for the explosion of the Israelite population documented at the start of Exodus. It emphasizes that this move to Egypt was not a random migration but a divinely orchestrated step for Israel's multiplication and refinement, safeguarding the promised lineage from Abraham to the coming Messiah.