Genesis 46:27 kjv

And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, were two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, were threescore and ten.

Genesis 46:27 nkjv

And the sons of Joseph who were born to him in Egypt were two persons. All the persons of the house of Jacob who went to Egypt were seventy.

Genesis 46:27 niv

With the two sons who had been born to Joseph in Egypt, the members of Jacob's family, which went to Egypt, were seventy in all.

Genesis 46:27 esv

And the sons of Joseph, who were born to him in Egypt, were two. All the persons of the house of Jacob who came into Egypt were seventy.

Genesis 46:27 nlt

In addition, Joseph had two sons who were born in Egypt. So altogether, there were seventy members of Jacob's family in the land of Egypt.

Genesis 46 verses

Genesis 46 27 Meaning

Genesis 46:27 concisely summarizes the total number of Jacob's direct descendants, including Joseph and his two sons already in Egypt, who migrated to Egypt. This verse concludes the detailed listing of family members in the preceding verses (Gen 46:8-26), stating that exactly seventy individuals from Jacob's lineage comprised the family unit that entered the land for preservation from famine, forming the nucleus of the future nation of Israel.

Genesis 46 27 Context

Genesis chapter 46 recounts Jacob's departure from Canaan and his journey with his entire household to Egypt to escape a severe famine, where his son Joseph had become a powerful vizier. The preceding verses (Gen 46:8-26) meticulously list Jacob's sons, their descendants (sons and some daughters), and their respective numbers, categorizing them under their mothers (Leah, Zilpah, Rachel, Bilhah). This detailed genealogical record sets the stage for Gen 46:27, which serves as a conclusive summary of the total headcount. Historically, this migration marks a pivotal moment: a covenant family entering a foreign land under divine guidance, not as scattered individuals, but as an identifiable unit, destined to grow into a vast nation over the next several centuries.

Genesis 46 27 Word analysis

• All the persons (וְכָל־נֶ֥פֶשׁ, ve-khol-nefesh):
  • Khol (כֹּל): Means "all," "every," or "the whole." It emphasizes the exhaustive and complete nature of the count; not a single designated individual was omitted.
  • Nefesh (נֶפֶשׁ): Primarily translates to "soul" but frequently refers to a "person" or "living being" in the Hebrew Bible. Its use here highlights each individual as a distinct person counted towards the total, underlining the preciousness of each life in God's eyes and their personal involvement in this providential journey.
• of the house of Jacob (בֵית־יַעֲקֹב, beit-Yaʿaqov):
  • Bayit (בַּיִת): "House," but in this context signifies "household," "family," or "dynasty." It defines the specific lineage being counted—Jacob's direct descendants, the very foundation of the chosen people. This "house" is what God promised to build into a nation.
  • Yaʿaqov (יַעֲקֹב): Jacob, who God renamed Israel. His name anchors the lineage directly to the covenant patriarch, highlighting the continuity of God's promises from Abraham, through Isaac, to Jacob and his "house."
• who came to Egypt (הַבָּאִ֣ים מִצְרַיְמָה֙, ha-baʾim Mitsraymah):
  • Baʾim (בָּאִים): A participle meaning "coming" or "those who came." It signifies the act of their journey and migration into Egypt. This movement was not accidental but divinely ordained (Gen 46:3-4) for their preservation and future growth.
  • Mitsraymah (מִצְרַיְמָה): "To Egypt." Egypt (Mitsrayim) is depicted as the divinely appointed temporary haven, where the nascent nation would be protected from famine and grow in size before the Exodus. This place would paradoxically become a land of refuge and later enslavement.
• were seventy (שִׁבְעִים, shivʿim):
  • Shivʿim (שִׁבְעִים): The numerical value of "seventy." This precise count establishes the founding population of the Israelite nation at the point of their entry into Egypt.
  • The number 70 frequently holds symbolic significance in the Bible, representing completeness, totality, or a divinely appointed number (e.g., the 70 nations of Gen 10, the 70 elders of Israel in Num 11:16, the 70 years of Babylonian exile in Jer 29:10). In this context, it signifies the comprehensive nature of the group and God's sovereign count of His chosen people. The profound contrast between this small group and the massive population Israel would become by the Exodus highlights God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises of multiplication.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• All the persons of the house of Jacob: This initial phrase meticulously delineates the exact scope of the counting: every single individual from Jacob's direct bloodline and immediate family circle. It provides precise boundaries to ensure the exactness of the subsequent numerical statement, affirming the unity and specific identity of this founding group.
• who came to Egypt: This part of the verse defines the specific group being counted not just as Jacob's family in general, but specifically those involved in the momentous relocation. It contextualizes the count within a pivotal event of the family's migration, emphasizing the transition from Canaan to Egypt as part of God's larger plan for them.
• were seventy: This direct numerical statement is the definitive summary of the foregoing detailed genealogies. It provides the crucial, definitive count of the family that entered Egypt. This concise declaration underscores the dramatic beginning of what would become the numerous nation of Israel, showcasing the power of God to multiply a small seed into a great nation.

Genesis 46 27 Bonus section

• The "Seventy vs. Seventy-Five" Variance: While the Masoretic Text (the standard Hebrew Bible) and subsequent Hebrew manuscripts consistently read "seventy" (as confirmed by Ex 1:5 and Deut 10:22), the Septuagint (LXX), the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament, in its rendition of Genesis 46:27 and Exodus 1:5, records "seventy-five." This "seventy-five" figure is echoed in Stephen's speech in Acts 7:14. Scholars typically explain this discrepancy by understanding that the LXX's "seventy-five" count may include additional family members (such as Joseph's grandchildren who were born in Egypt, or wives of the sons who are typically not listed in the Hebrew genealogical counts for male heads of households). Both counts emphasize the small, foundational size of the family upon entering Egypt, a family protected by God for the growth to come.
• The Power of Small Beginnings: The significance of 70 lies in the contrast between this small, finite number and the innumerable multitude Israel became at the Exodus (Ex 1:7; Deut 1:10). This highlights a consistent biblical theme: God often begins His great works from humble or seemingly insignificant starts, demonstrating His power and faithfulness rather than human strength. This principle resonates throughout the Bible, from the mustard seed parable (Mt 13:31-32) to the selection of the seemingly weaker nations or individuals for His purposes.
• Foundation for National Identity: The act of counting and listing each individual and providing a precise sum cemented the family's distinct identity. As they entered a foreign land, maintaining a clear record of their lineage was paramount for the covenant promises, which were inherently genealogical. This family would eventually emerge as the cohesive nation of Israel, separate from all other peoples, carrying the divine heritage.

Genesis 46 27 Commentary

Genesis 46:27 stands as a powerful concluding statement to the detailed family migration into Egypt, crystallizing the meticulous headcount of Jacob's household. The explicit number, "seventy," signifies the modest beginnings of the future nation of Israel. This figure, far from a multitude, emphasizes God's sovereign faithfulness to transform a small family into the promised "great nation" (Gen 12:2). This count confirms that despite the famine and displacement, God preserved every vital member of Jacob's lineage, underscoring His meticulous care and commitment to His covenant. The divine purpose in sending them to Egypt, initially for protection, then became a crucible for growth, demonstrating that God works through humble origins to achieve magnificent fulfillments of His promises. It serves as a biblical example of God’s plan unfolding perfectly through the lives of individuals, transforming a counted few into countless thousands over generations.