Genesis 46 Summary

Jacob (Israel) journeys from Canaan to Beer-sheba, where he offers sacrifices and receives a divine vision in the night in which God reassures him not to fear going down to Egypt, promising to make him a great nation there, to accompany him, and to bring his descendants back, and that Joseph would be with him at his death. Jacob then departs with his entire household — sons, daughters, grandchildren, cattle, and goods — and the chapter provides a detailed genealogical register of all seventy souls of the house of Jacob who came into Egypt, grouped by their mothers Leah, Zilpah, Rachel, and Bilhah. Upon arriving in the land of Goshen, Joseph makes ready his chariot, meets his father Israel, and the two embrace and weep together, with Israel declaring he is now content to die having seen that Joseph is alive. Joseph then instructs his family to identify themselves to Pharaoh as shepherds and cattlemen, so that they may be settled in the land of Goshen, noting that shepherds are an abomination to the Egyptians.