Genesis 46

God Tells Jacob to Go to Egypt

1 Jacob and his fam packed up everything and hit the road to Egypt. When they got to Beersheba, Jacob stopped to give some respect to the God of his pops, Isaac.

2 That night, God came through in a dream and said, ‘Listen, Jacob!’ Jacob answered, ‘Yeah, Lord, I am here.’

3 God said, ‘Do not trip about going to Egypt. I got big plans for you, I am going to make your crew into a whole nation down there.’

4 ‘I will roll with you to Egypt, and when it is time, I will bring you back. And when you are on your last breath, Joseph will be right there to hold you down.’

Jacob’s Family Hits the Road

5 Jacob’s sons loaded him, their wives, and their kids into the wagons Pharaoh hooked them up with.

6 They packed all their stuff, their animals, their belongings, everything they had in Canaan, and headed to Egypt. Jacob brought the whole squad.

7 Every single one of Jacob’s descendants came, his sons, daughters, grandkids, everybody came with him to Egypt.

The Fam Roll Call

8 Here is the crew that came with Jacob: Starting with Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn.

9 Reuben’s sons: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.

10 Simeon’s sons: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jakin, Zohar, and Shaul (Shaul’s mom was a Canaanite).

11 Levi’s sons: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

12 Judah’s squad: Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah. (Er and Onan were already dead by this time.) Perez’s sons: Hezron and Hamul.

13 Issachar’s sons: Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron.

14 Zebulun’s sons: Sered, Elon, and Jahleel.

15 These are the descendants of Leah (Jacob’s first wife). In total, 33 people came with her crew, including Dinah, Jacob’s daughter.

More Fam Members

16 Gad’s sons: Zephon, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi, and Areli.

17 Asher’s sons: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and their sister, Serah. Beriah’s sons: Heber and Malkiel.

18 This was Zilpah’s fam (Leah’s servant that Laban gave her). In total, 16 people came from her squad.

19 Rachel’s kids were Joseph and Benjamin.

20 Joseph had two sons in Egypt: Manasseh and Ephraim, born to him and his wife Asenath (daughter of Potiphera, priest of On).

21 Benjamin’s crew: Bela, Beker, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard.

22 This was Rachel’s fam,14 people in total.

23 Dan’s son: Hushim.

24 Naphtali’s sons: Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, and Shillem.

25 These were the descendants of Bilhah (Rachel’s servant that Laban gave her). Seven people came from her squad.

Total Headcount

26 All of Jacob’s bloodline who came to Egypt (not counting the in-laws) totaled 66 people.

27 Adding Joseph, his two sons, and Jacob himself, the entire crew in Egypt came to 70.

Jacob Finally Meets Joseph

28 Jacob sent Judah ahead to let Joseph know they were coming and to guide them to Goshen.

29 When Joseph heard his dad was coming, he rolled up in his chariot. As soon as he saw his pops, he hugged him tight and started crying like crazy.

30 Jacob said, ‘Now I can die in peace because I have seen your face, and I know you are alive.’

Joseph’s Plan for His Fam

31 Joseph told his brothers and fam, ‘I am going to go holler at Pharaoh and let him know you all are here.’

32 ‘I will tell him, These are my brothers and my father’s household. They are shepherds, and they brought their flocks, herds, and everything they own.’

33 ‘When Pharaoh calls you all in and asks, What do you all do?’

34 ‘Say, We are shepherds, like our ancestors. That way, Pharaoh will let you live in Goshen, because Egyptians think shepherds are nasty and will not mess with you all.’