Genesis – Chapter 46

Old Testament34 Verses

Chapter Summary

"And Israel taking his journey, with all that he had, came to the well of the oath, and killing victims there to the God of his father Isaac," — so begins Genesis 46. The chapter centers on Jacob, Joseph and Rachel. Across its 34 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and God's covenant promises. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1And Israel taking his journey, with all that he had, came to the well of the oath, and killing victims there to the God of his father Isaac,

2He heard him, by a vision in the night, calling him, and saying to him: Jacob, Jacob. And he answered him: Lo, here I am.

3God said to him: I am the most mighty God of thy father; fear not, go down into Egypt, for I will make a great nation of thee there.

4I will go down with thee thither, and will bring thee back again from thence: Joseph also shall put his hands upon thy eyes.

5And Jacob rose up from the well of the oath: and his sons took him up, with their children and wives in the wagons, which Pharao had sent to carry the old man,

6And all that he had in the land of Chanaan: and he came into Egypt with all his seed;

7His sons, and grandsons, daughters, and all his offspring together.

8And these are the names of the children of Israel, that entered into Egypt, he and his children. His firstborn Ruben,

9The sons of Ruben: Henoch and Phallu, and Hesron and Charmi.

10The sons of Simeon: Jamuel and Jamin and Ahod, and Jachin and Sohar, and Saul, the son of a woman of Chanaan.

11The sons of Levi: Gerson and Caath, and Merari.

12The sons of Juda: Her and Onan, and Sela, and Phares and Zara. And Her and Onan died in the land of Chanaan. And sons were born to Phares: Hesron and Hamul.

13The sons of Issachar: Thola and Phua, and Job and Semron.

14The sons of Zabulon: Sared, and Elon, and Jahelel.

15These are the sons of Lia, whom she bore in Mesopotamia of Syria, with Dina, his daughter. All the souls of her sons and daughters, thirty-three.

16The sons of Gad: Sephion and Haggi, and Suni and Esebon, and Heri and Arodi, and Areli.

17The sons of Aser: Jamne and Jesua, and Jessuri and Beria, and Sara their sister. The sons of Beria: Heber and Melchiel.

18These are the sons of Zelpha, whom Laban gave to Lia, his daughter. And these she bore to Jacob, sixteen souls.

19The sons of Rachel, Jacob's wife: Joseph and Benjamin.

20And sons were born to Joseph, in the land of Egypt, whom Aseneth, the daughter of Putiphare, priest of Heliopolis, bore him: Manasses and Ephraim.

21The sons of Benjamin: Bela and Bechor, and Asbel and Gera, and Naaman and Echi, and Ross and Mophim, and Ophim and Ared.

22These are the sons of Rachel, whom she bore to Jacob: all the souls, fourteen.

23The sons of Dan: Husim.

24The sons of Nephthali: Jaziel and Guni, and Jeser and Sallem.

25These are the sons of Bala, whom Laban gave to Rachel, his daughter: and these she bore to Jacob: all the souls, seven.

26All the souls that went with Jacob into Egypt, and that came out of his thigh, besides his sons' wives, sixty-six.

27And the sons of Joseph, that were born to him in the land of Egypt, two souls. All the souls of the house of Jacob, that entered into Egypt, were seventy.

28And he sent Juda before him to Joseph, to tell him; and that he should meet him in Gessen.

29And when he was come thither, Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet his father in the same place: and seeing him, he fell upon his neck, and embracing him, wept.

30And the father said to Joseph: Now shall I die with joy, because I have seen thy face, and leave thee alive.

31And Joseph said to his brethren, and to all his father's house: I will go up, and will tell Pharao, and will say to him: My brethren, and my father's house, that were in the land of Chanaan, are come to me:

32And the men are shepherds, and their occupation is to feed cattle; their flocks, and herds, and all they have, they have brought with them.

33And when he shall call you, and shall say: What is your occupation?

34You shall answer: We, thy servants, are shepherds, from our infancy until now, both we and our fathers. And this you shall say, that you may dwell in the land of Gessen, because the Egyptians have all shepherds in abomination.

Important Verses in Genesis 46

God said to him: I am the most mighty God of thy father; fear not, go down into Egypt, for I will make a great nation of thee there.

Genesis 46:3

These are the sons of Lia, whom she bore in Mesopotamia of Syria, with Dina, his daughter. All the souls of her sons and daughters, thirty-three.

Genesis 46:15

These are the sons of Zelpha, whom Laban gave to Lia, his daughter. And these she bore to Jacob, sixteen souls.

Genesis 46:18

These are the sons of Rachel, whom she bore to Jacob: all the souls, fourteen.

Genesis 46:22

Historical Context

Genesis belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for the people of Israel, to root their identity in God's creation and the covenant with the patriarchs. Chapter 46 of 50 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 34 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Jacob, Joseph, Rachel and Pharaoh appear at the center of the events recorded here. It opens with the line: "And Israel taking his journey, with all that he had, came to the well of the oath, and killing victims there to the God…" It concludes: "You shall answer: We, thy servants, are shepherds, from our infancy until now, both we and our fathers. And this you…" Read against its original backdrop, Genesis was composed to give Israel its foundational identity: one God created all things good, sin entered through human choice, and God responded with a plan of salvation beginning with Abraham. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: Traditions reaching back to the 2nd millennium BC, compiled in final form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Moses; Catholic scholarship recognizes the work of inspired editors drawing on ancient oral and written traditions

When It Was Written

Traditions reaching back to the 2nd millennium BC, compiled in final form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC

Catholic Commentary

In this 34-verse narrative, the sacred author records events that advance the story of creation, covenant, and the patriarchs. A pivotal line is verse 3: "God said to him: I am the most mighty God of thy father; fear not, go down into Egypt, for I will make a great nation of thee there." The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 791). Here, the Catechism teaches that Genesis reveals God's plan of salvation from the beginning (CIC 54-64). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize family and covenant relationships as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • God binds Himself to His people by covenant, and He never breaks His word.
  • God's presence casts out fear; His command 'Be not afraid' echoes throughout salvation history.

People in This Chapter

Jacob9 mentionsJoseph8 mentionsRachel3 mentionsPharaoh2 mentionsLeah2 mentions

Reflection for Today

Genesis Chapter 46 recounts Jacob's journey to Egypt, guided by divine vision at Beersheba. The Catechism teaches that God accompanies His people in their journeys, providing assurance in times of transition (CIC 2084). God's promise—"I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again"—looks forward to the Exodus.

The genealogy of Jacob's family, numbering seventy persons, establishes the foundation of the nation that will emerge from Egypt. Catholic tradition sees significance in this number—seventy nations in Genesis 10, seventy elders of Israel, seventy disciples sent by Jesus. The Catechism teaches that God's people, though beginning small, are destined to bless all nations (CIC 60).

Jacob's reunion with Joseph, after more than twenty years of believing him dead, represents the joy of resurrection. The Church Fathers saw in this embrace an image of the heavenly reunion awaiting all who persevere in faith. This chapter teaches us that God's promises span generations, that He accompanies us through life's major transitions, and that the joy of reunion awaits those separated by circumstances beyond their control.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Genesis Chapter 46 about?

Genesis 46 contains 34 verses. It opens with "And Israel taking his journey, with all that he had, came to the well of the oath, and killing victims there to the God…" and closes with "You shall answer: We, thy servants, are shepherds, from our infancy until now, both we and our fathers. And this you…". The book as a whole is narrative with genealogies and covenant accounts.

What is a key verse in Genesis 46?

One of the most significant verses is verse 3: "God said to him: I am the most mighty God of thy father; fear not, go down into Egypt, for I will make a great nation of thee there." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Genesis Chapter 46?

This chapter mentions Jacob, Joseph, Rachel, Pharaoh, Leah.

Who wrote Genesis and when?

Traditionally attributed to Moses; Catholic scholarship recognizes the work of inspired editors drawing on ancient oral and written traditions. Traditions reaching back to the 2nd millennium BC, compiled in final form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.

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