Genesis 46 8

Genesis 46:8 kjv

And these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn.

Genesis 46:8 nkjv

Now these were the names of the children of Israel, Jacob and his sons, who went to Egypt: Reuben was Jacob's firstborn.

Genesis 46:8 niv

These are the names of the sons of Israel (Jacob and his descendants) who went to Egypt: Reuben the firstborn of Jacob.

Genesis 46:8 esv

Now these are the names of the descendants of Israel, who came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons. Reuben, Jacob's firstborn,

Genesis 46:8 nlt

These are the names of the descendants of Israel ? the sons of Jacob ? who went to Egypt: Reuben was Jacob's oldest son.

Genesis 46 verses

Genesis 46 8 meaning

Genesis 46:8 initiates a meticulous listing of Jacob's (Israel's) descendants who accompanied him into Egypt. It signifies the formal beginning of the detailed genealogical record of the emerging nation of Israel, establishing their identity as "the sons of Israel" and laying the foundational framework for the twelve tribes, all providentially gathered in Egypt by divine direction. The mention of Reuben as Jacob's firstborn marks the traditional order of listing, despite future events.

Genesis 46 8 Context

Genesis chapter 46 recounts Jacob's journey to Egypt to be reunited with his son Joseph and escape the severe famine. Before embarking, Jacob sacrifices to God at Beer-sheba, where God assures him of His presence, a great nation arising from him in Egypt, and Joseph's comfort in his final moments (Gen 46:1-4). This divine assurance provides the mandate and confidence for the migration. Verse 8 marks the pivot point, transitioning from Jacob's personal journey to the meticulous listing of his direct family, forming the foundational core of the "sons of Israel." This list establishes who exactly made up the seventy persons who descended into Egypt, setting the stage for their centuries-long stay and eventual emergence as a nation, as detailed in the Book of Exodus. Historically, such meticulously kept genealogies were vital in ancient Near Eastern cultures for establishing legitimacy, lineage, and communal identity. For Israel, this documented entry into Egypt under divine promise underscored their unique status as God's chosen family, not just another migrating group seeking survival.

Genesis 46 8 Word analysis

• These are the names: Hebrew: v'elleh shmot (וְאֵלֶּה שְׁמוֹת). This phrase serves as a common introductory formula in biblical texts, especially for lists, genealogies, or censuses (e.g., Ex 6:14, Num 1:5, 1 Chr 1:1). It highlights the official and significant nature of the following record, implying divine authorship or endorsement of this historical account. "Names" (Hebrew: shemot) are not merely identifiers but represent identity, character, and often destiny within the biblical worldview. This indicates that God recognizes and meticulously records each individual participating in the formation of His covenant people.

• of the sons of Israel: Hebrew: bene Yisrael (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל). "Sons of Israel" is a pivotal designation. "Israel" is the new name God gave Jacob after wrestling with him (Gen 32:28), signifying "one who strives with God" or "God strives." This collective title elevates the individual descendants of Jacob to a corporate identity, foreshadowing their future as the chosen nation, a distinct people with a unique relationship with God. This group represents the seed promised to Abraham and Isaac, through whom the covenant blessings will flow. It underscores their divinely established heritage and destiny.

• who came into Egypt: Hebrew: habba'im Mitsraymah (הַבָּאִים מִצְרָיְמָה). This phrase emphasizes the destination of their migration. Their entry into Egypt, though seemingly driven by famine, was a fulfillment of divine prophecy given to Abraham generations earlier (Gen 15:13), indicating their future sojourn and oppression before God's redemptive work. It marks the commencement of a distinct phase in Israel's history – a period of incubation in a foreign land that would shape their national identity.

• Jacob and his sons: Hebrew: Ya'aqov u'vanav (יַעֲקֹב וּבָנָיו). "Jacob" specifically refers to the patriarch making the physical journey, reinforcing the personal nature of God's leading him. It differentiates from the broader, corporate identity of "Israel." The immediate listing of "his sons" highlights that these are his direct biological offspring who will form the heads of the foundational twelve tribes.

• Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn: Hebrew: Re'uven bechor Ya'aqov (רְאוּבֵן בְּכוֹר יַעֲקֹב). The naming of Reuben first follows the standard order of primogeniture (birth order), despite Reuben having forfeited his preeminent rights through his sin (Gen 35:22; Gen 49:3-4). His placement here confirms his biological status as the firstborn but also subtly foreshadows the later shift of birthright and leadership to other tribes (e.g., Judah for kingship, Levi for priesthood, Joseph for the double portion). It emphasizes the divinely ordained, structured growth of the family into a nation, acknowledging each member's rightful place within the established lineage.

• Word-group analysis:

  • "These are the names of the sons of Israel": This phrase introduces the nation's foundational roster, not just a private family list. It establishes the legitimacy and identity of the group as those of Israel (Jacob's new, God-given name), destined to become a great nation. This contrasts with common ancient Near Eastern genealogies that might highlight human strength or a deity's direct fathering; here, the lineage stems from a man divinely renamed, signaling a distinct, covenantal relationship.

  • "Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn": This provides a specific, individual anchor to the collective "sons of Israel," directly linking the historical migration to the patriarch and his direct descendants. The emphasis on Reuben as "Jacob's firstborn" provides an ordered, biological structure to the nascent nation, reflecting God's meticulous attention to even the family's arrangement as it entered this new phase.

Genesis 46 8 Bonus section

The precise record of family members in this chapter and introduced by this verse points to God's meticulous care for each individual within His covenant family. This contrasts with ancient records that might gloss over details, showing the divine interest in every person contributing to the fulfillment of His promises. The journey into Egypt marks a "foundational narrative" for the Israelite nation, setting the scene for key theological themes such as sojourning, divine protection, providential care, and eventually, deliverance. This verse begins the detailed accounting of the people from whom both the lawgivers and the Messiah would descend, emphasizing that God's plan is worked out through real families and individuals, carefully counted and remembered. The very act of listing suggests a deliberate divine recording, acknowledging those who formed the initial covenant community and reinforcing their future corporate identity as a unique people set apart by God.

Genesis 46 8 Commentary

Genesis 46:8 acts as a gateway to the census of Jacob's household, a moment of profound theological significance. It transitions from Jacob's personal act of obedience to God's larger redemptive plan for His chosen people. The "sons of Israel" underscores the unfolding of the Abrahamic covenant; what began as a promise to one man now takes shape through a rapidly expanding family on the cusp of becoming a great nation. Their "coming into Egypt" is presented not as a random migration, but as a deliberate fulfillment of God's prior declaration, marking the incubator period for the nation before their eventual Exodus. The initial listing of Reuben highlights the divine order and genealogical precision foundational to Israelite identity, even as it implicitly sets up future narratives where birthright traditions are tested or redefined by God's sovereign choice, rather than strict primogeniture alone. This verse thus lays crucial groundwork, linking past divine promises to the future formation of Israel as a corporate entity in preparation for their ultimate journey to the Promised Land.