Genesis 46 29

Genesis 46:29 kjv

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 nkjv

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

Genesis 46:29 niv

Joseph had his chariot made ready and went to Goshen to meet his father Israel. As soon as Joseph appeared before him, he threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time.

Genesis 46:29 esv

Then Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to meet Israel his father in Goshen. He presented himself to him and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while.

Genesis 46:29 nlt

Joseph prepared his chariot and traveled to Goshen to meet his father, Jacob. When Joseph arrived, he embraced his father and wept, holding him for a long time.

Genesis 46 verses

Genesis 46 29 meaning

Genesis 46:29 portrays the long-awaited and deeply emotional reunion between Joseph and his father Jacob, now called Israel. It marks the culmination of the Joseph narrative, illustrating divine providence, family restoration, and the strategic positioning of the Israelite family in Egypt, in preparation for their growth into a great nation, as promised in the Abrahamic covenant. The verse highlights Joseph's urgency and affection, Jacob's ultimate validation of his son's survival and glory, and a shared outpouring of overwhelming joy and release after more than two decades of separation and presumed loss.

Genesis 46 29 Context

Genesis chapter 46 recounts Jacob's journey, along with his entire household, to Egypt. After receiving confirmation from his sons that Joseph was alive and serving as Egypt's second-in-command, and after seeing the wagons and provisions Joseph sent, Jacob's spirit was revived. However, before fully committing to the move, Jacob sought divine confirmation at Beersheba. There, God assured him of His presence, protection, and the promise that He would make of Jacob a great nation in Egypt and would eventually bring him back (Gen 46:1-4). This verse (Gen 46:29) marks the emotional climax of Jacob's arduous journey, culminating over twenty years of separation and the perceived loss of his beloved son. It is the joyous fulfillment of God's overarching plan to preserve Jacob's family through Joseph during a severe famine, and to prepare for their rapid increase into a numerous nation in the fertile land of Goshen.

Genesis 46 29 Word analysis

• Joseph (יוסף - Yosef): Meaning "He (God) adds" or "He (God) increases." This name takes on deeper significance as he brings addition and increase, not just to his family in numbers but also by restoring their joy and sustenance. Joseph's identity, established in his personal suffering and ascent to power, is now fulfilled in this family reunion.

• harnessed (אֵסַר - 'asar): Literally "bound, tied up." This verb indicates prompt action and preparedness. It underscores Joseph's authority and status, showing he immediately prepared his own chariot for this important, personal journey, rather than sending a subordinate. It reflects his eagerness and high respect for his father.

• chariot (מֶרְכֶּבֶת - merkebeth): A prestigious and swift mode of transportation in ancient Egypt, reserved for royalty and high officials. Joseph's use of a chariot highlights his immense power and wealth as vizier, offering a striking visual contrast to the "pit" (Gen 37:24) and "prison" (Gen 39:20) of his past. It is a symbol of God's reversal of his fortunes.

• went up (וַיַּעַל - vaiya'al): While geographically Goshen might have been a descent or level journey from where Joseph was, "went up" can signify importance or a journey of elevation in status or purpose. It's a standard Hebrew term for travelling towards a place or region.

• Goshen (גּשֶׁן - Goshen): A fertile, agriculturally rich region in the Nile Delta, well-suited for livestock. It was specifically designated by Pharaoh for Jacob's family (Gen 47:6). Its choice was strategic: it provided abundant sustenance, kept the Israelites geographically separate from the Egyptians (Gen 46:34), facilitating their distinct identity and growth without assimilation into Egyptian culture or idolatry.

• meet (לִקְרַאת - liqrat): Means "to meet," "to encounter," or "to go towards." It conveys the deliberate intention of Joseph to intercept and welcome his father, showing immense respect and eagerness for the reunion.

• Israel his father: This phrase is poignant. Jacob has already been renamed "Israel" (Gen 32:28) after wrestling with God, signifying his changed nature and his covenant status as the patriarch of God's chosen nation. Joseph acknowledging "Israel his father" connects this personal reunion to the broader divine covenantal plan. It also highlights Jacob's ultimate identity, more than just his name, but his lineage as part of the people of God.

• As soon as he appeared before him: This phrase conveys immediacy and intense anticipation. The instant Jacob saw Joseph, the dam of emotion broke, indicating the profound bond and the powerful impact of their direct visual encounter after so many years.

• fell on his neck (וַיִּפֹּל עַל-צַוָּארוֹ - vaiyippol al-tzavarov): This is a powerful, deeply intimate, and expressive gesture of affection and embrace in ancient Near Eastern culture, indicating immense love, forgiveness, and reunion (paralleling the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:20). It signifies a complete emotional surrender and acceptance.

• wept a long time (וַיֵּבְךְּ עַל-צַוָּארוֹ עוֹד - vaiyevk al-tzavarov od): The Hebrew word "od" (עוֹד) can mean "yet," "still," or "more," suggesting either a prolonged weeping, or weeping upon his neck again (if they had wept previously), or simply more intensely. Most interpretations agree it denotes a significant and sustained outpouring of tears, representing the release of decades of sorrow, anxiety, and pent-up grief, now transforming into overwhelming joy and relief. It implies the depth of their love and the magnitude of their shared suffering and restored hope.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Joseph harnessed his chariot and went up to Goshen to meet Israel his father.": This phrase portrays Joseph's immediate and high-status response. He doesn't wait for his father to arrive, but actively goes to meet him, demonstrating deep filial respect and immense eagerness. The use of "chariot" underscores his princely rank and the divine favor that brought him to such a position.
  • "As soon as he appeared before him, he fell on his neck and wept a long time.": This vivid description captures the profound emotional release of this long-awaited reunion. It's a climactic moment, not only for Joseph and Jacob but also for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. The depth of the embrace and the prolonged weeping convey intense joy, sorrow turned to gladness, and relief.

Genesis 46 29 Bonus section

The depiction of Joseph, a figure of great worldly power, yielding fully to profound personal emotion in his reunion with his father is a subtle polemic against the often-impersonal or distant deities of contemporary pagan cultures. Unlike the stoic, self-contained gods, the God of Israel is deeply involved in human affairs, orchestrating a redemption story that values family and human emotion. This encounter solidifies Jacob's faith, validating his "Israel" identity as a father whose descendants are now securely positioned to become a great nation, under divine protection, rather than being assimilated or destroyed by famine. Joseph, in his role as savior of his family and reconciler, is often seen as a prefigurement, or type, of Christ who orchestrates salvation and reconciliation between humanity and God.

Genesis 46 29 Commentary

Genesis 46:29 is the emotional crescendo of the Joseph narrative. After decades of pain, separation, and uncertainty, Jacob finally beholds his long-lost son, not as a suffering captive, but as the powerful vizier of Egypt. Joseph, despite his Egyptian prominence, immediately sheds his official facade to express pure filial love. The specific actions – Joseph harnessing his own chariot, the quick meeting, and the intimate embrace with extended weeping – underscore the raw, overwhelming emotions. This profound human connection is presented as a testament to God's unfailing faithfulness. Every twist and turn, from Joseph's dreams to his slavery and imprisonment, ultimately served to bring about this moment of reunion and ensure the preservation and flourishing of Jacob's family in Egypt, a crucial step in the formation of the nation of Israel. This meeting is a beautiful illustration of how God works all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose, transforming sorrow into unutterable joy.