Genesis 46:5 kjv

And Jacob rose up from Beersheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him.

Genesis 46:5 nkjv

Then Jacob arose from Beersheba; and the sons of Israel carried their father Jacob, their little ones, and their wives, in the carts which Pharaoh had sent to carry him.

Genesis 46:5 niv

Then Jacob left Beersheba, and Israel's sons took their father Jacob and their children and their wives in the carts that Pharaoh had sent to transport him.

Genesis 46:5 esv

Then Jacob set out from Beersheba. The sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons that Pharaoh had sent to carry him.

Genesis 46:5 nlt

So Jacob left Beersheba, and his sons took him to Egypt. They carried him and their little ones and their wives in the wagons Pharaoh had provided for them.

Genesis 46 verses

Genesis 46 5 Meaning

Genesis 46:5 describes the practical beginning of Jacob's entire household migration from Canaan to Egypt. It illustrates Jacob's sons carefully transporting their aged father, along with all their vulnerable children and wives, in the designated wagons provided by Pharaoh. This physical relocation signifies Jacob's obedience to God's command and marked the vital next step in the fulfillment of God's covenant promises to multiply Israel into a great nation in Egypt before returning them to the Promised Land.

Genesis 46 5 Context

Genesis 46:5 serves as the physical turning point after a series of emotional revelations and divine affirmations. The preceding chapter, Genesis 45, culminates in Joseph revealing his identity to his brothers and inviting his father Jacob and the entire family to settle in Egypt, promising sustenance from Pharaoh. Joseph's provision included specific instructions from Pharaoh to send wagons for their journey. Jacob, upon hearing the news of Joseph and seeing the physical proof (the wagons), revived in spirit (Gen 45:26-27).

Prior to embarking, Jacob stops at Beersheba (Gen 46:1), the site of previous encounters with God for his forefathers Abraham and Isaac, and for Jacob himself. There, he offers sacrifices, seeking God's counsel and blessing for this significant move. In a night vision (Gen 46:2-4), God directly addresses Jacob ("Israel"), commanding him not to be afraid to go to Egypt, confirming His presence with him, promising to make him a great nation there, and assuring Jacob that Joseph would be present at his death. Thus, Genesis 46:5 describes the immediate action of Jacob's sons, fulfilling both Pharaoh's instruction and, more importantly, God's divine directive for the patriarch "Israel" and his nascent family to relocate to Egypt, initiating the approximately 430-year sojourn.

Historically and culturally, a great famine gripped the land, making relocation for survival a necessity. However, for Jacob and his family, the journey was not merely pragmatic but providential. It was a conscious step of faith, leaving their familiar, nomadic life in Canaan, a land promised by God but not yet fully possessed, to descend into a powerful, pagan empire. This journey in "wagons sent by Pharaoh" symbolizes God's sovereign control, using a gentile ruler to provide the means for His covenant people to thrive and multiply, setting the stage for their future deliverance. It might implicitly stand against the common reliance on mere human wisdom or self-provision, instead showcasing divine orchestration through seemingly secular channels.

Genesis 46 5 Word analysis

• וַיִּשְׂאוּ (Vaiyisu - and they carried/lifted/took): The verb signifies taking up or bearing. Here it implies carrying their aged and probably frail father, demonstrating filial respect and care. It can also suggest taking responsibility for the journey of the entire household, encompassing a broader sense of transport.
• בְנֵי (b'nei - sons of): Identifies the agents of the action, the adult male offspring of Jacob. They are the active members executing the move. This highlights their unity in assisting their patriarch.
• יַעֲקֹב (Ya'aqov - Jacob): The personal name of the patriarch, denoting his physical person.
• אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל (et Yisrael - Israel): Often follows Jacob as a double naming. "Israel" (meaning "contends with God" or "God contends") is his divinely given spiritual and national name. Its use here elevates the patriarch's status from a mere individual to the embodiment of the emerging covenant nation, emphasizing that not just a man but the future nation is making this move.
• אֲבִיהֶם (avihem - their father): Reinforces the family relationship and the honor due to the patriarch.
• וְאֶת (v'et - and): Connects the various parties being transported, emphasizing the inclusion of all.
• טַפָּם (tappam - their little ones/children): Refers to the dependent and vulnerable members of the family (infants, young children). Their presence underscores the complete family migration and the divine preservation of the entire future lineage of Israel. It emphasizes the collective continuity of the covenant.
• וְאֶת נְשֵׁיהֶם (v'et n'sheihem - and their wives): Refers to the adult women, ensuring that entire family units were included in the journey. This signifies the presence of matriarchs and childbearers crucial for the nation's growth.
• בָּעֲגָלוֹת (Ba'agalot - in the wagons): From עֲגָלָה (agalah), "wagon" or "cart." These were specifically sent by Pharaoh, highlighting the extraordinary nature of the provision. Wagons, unlike common nomadic transport methods, provided comfort and capacity, indicating a state-sanctioned and well-resourced move rather than a hasty flight.
• אֲשֶׁר שָׁלַח (asher shalach - that sent/which had sent): Identifies the source of the wagons, confirming their provenance.
• פַּרְעֹה (Par'oh - Pharaoh): The title of the Egyptian king. His involvement underscores the divine orchestration through a pagan ruler, demonstrating God's sovereign power over even the mightiest worldly authorities to fulfill His covenant.
• לָשֵׂאת (la'seyt - to carry/to bear/to lift): Purpose of the wagons, specifically for transport.
• אֹתוֹ (oto - him): Grammatically singular, referring collectively to "him" (Jacob, representing the whole household/nation). This use of the singular to represent the family or group is common in Hebrew, highlighting Jacob as the pivotal figure whose family is moving.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Jacob’s sons took Israel their father": This phrase highlights the respectful, responsible action of Jacob's sons, ensuring the comfort and safe transport of their venerable patriarch. The dual naming, "Jacob" (the physical man) and "Israel" (the national-spiritual figure), emphasizes the significance of the move not just for an individual but for the destiny of God's covenant people.
• "and their little ones and their wives": This inclusive phrase stresses the comprehensive nature of the migration, signifying the entire clan and its future generations are moving. It confirms the fulfillment of God's promise to establish a numerous offspring from Jacob. The protection and transportation of the vulnerable "little ones" illustrate God's care for the nascent nation's continuity.
• "in the wagons that Pharaoh had sent to carry him": This clause underscores God's providential care working through seemingly secular channels. The "wagons sent by Pharaoh" were tangible proof of Joseph's elevated status and the Egyptian ruler's provision, indicating the divine hand at work even in foreign lands to facilitate the journey and fulfill God's overarching plan for His people. It demonstrates the Lord's ability to soften hearts and direct rulers for His purposes.

Genesis 46 5 Bonus section

• The detail of the "wagons" suggests a more comfortable and structured move than Jacob's previous, often hasty, journeys. This contrasts sharply with later movements in their history, like the hurried flight from Egypt during the Exodus. It highlights the divine blessing and favor on their initial entry.
• This verse signifies the official commencement of the patriarchal family's sojourn in a foreign land, a period foretold to Abraham in Gen 15:13, setting the stage for both future affliction and the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises of multiplication and nationhood.
• The journey from Beersheba to Egypt geographically traces a "descent," fitting the Hebrew word for going to Egypt ("ירד," yarad, meaning "to go down"), underscoring not just a geographical shift but a conceptual movement into a distinct and potent historical phase for Israel.

Genesis 46 5 Commentary

Genesis 46:5 marks the critical moment of physical departure, translating God's promises and Joseph's invitation into tangible action. It encapsulates profound themes of obedience, divine providence, and the foundational stages of Israel's national development. Jacob's family, embodying the emerging nation of Israel, faithfully undertakes this journey, leaving the semi-nomadic existence in Canaan to enter the advanced civilization of Egypt. The provision of Pharaoh's wagons underscores divine orchestration; God provides lavishly, often through unexpected means, to ensure His plans unfold. This migration, a 'descent' into Egypt, while immediately signifying security and provision during famine, also prophetically foreshadows the period of great growth, servitude, and eventual miraculous Exodus that would define Israel's identity and covenant relationship with God. It teaches that even difficult transitions can be part of God's sovereign plan for blessing and national formation, with God guiding every step.