Read the Daily Bible Verse – Genesis 46:27 To Strengthen Your Spiritual Journey.
Genesis 46:27 states, “And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, were two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, were threescore and ten” (KJV). This verse concludes a pivotal chapter in the narrative of Jacob’s family’s migration to Egypt, emphasizing the total number of his descendants. The enumeration of Jacob’s lineage is significant in understanding the fulfillment of divine promises and the foundational moments leading to the development of the Israelite nation. This article will delve into the context of the verse, its meaning, practical life applications, comparisons with other scriptures, and its importance in modern times.
The Context on Genesis 46:27 KJV
Genesis 46 describes Jacob’s journey to Egypt, where he would reunite with his son Joseph, whom he had believed to be dead for many years. Joseph, having risen to a position of great power in Egypt, had orchestrated the relocation of his family to save them from a severe famine affecting the entire region. This chapter lists the names of Jacob’s sons and grandsons who made the journey, providing an account of the people who would become the forebears of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Genesis 46:27 specifically notes the inclusion of Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, who were born to him in Egypt. By counting these two, the total number of Jacob’s household that entered Egypt is given as seventy. This figure holds symbolic and theological importance, representing completeness and the nascent formation of a people set apart by God for His purposes.
The Genesis 46:27 Meaning
The verse serves as a conclusion to the list of Jacob’s descendants and emphasizes the total number, “threescore and ten” (70), which has a symbolic resonance in the Bible.
The Significance of the Number 70: In biblical numerology, the number 70 often symbolizes completeness and divine order. This is seen in various contexts, such as the 70 elders of Israel (Numbers 11:16) and the 70 nations mentioned in the Table of Nations in Genesis 10. The inclusion of Joseph’s sons and the total number reflects a fully constituted family that would grow into the nation of Israel, fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham that his descendants would become a great nation (Genesis 12:2).
The Role of Joseph’s Sons: Ephraim and Manasseh, Joseph’s two sons born in Egypt, were significant because Jacob would later bless them and elevate them to the status of his own sons (Genesis 48:5). This action ensured that Joseph’s lineage would hold a double portion in the inheritance of Israel, symbolizing restoration and God’s faithfulness to Joseph despite his past trials.
Divine Providence and Fulfillment: The verse emphasizes the fulfillment of God’s covenantal promise to Abraham. It marks the beginning of the fulfillment of God’s word that Abraham’s descendants would sojourn in a foreign land (Genesis 15:13). This movement into Egypt was divinely orchestrated, setting the stage for the events that would lead to the Exodus and the eventual return to the Promised Land.
Genesis 46:27 Application in Life
Genesis 46:27 carries lessons about God’s faithfulness, family unity, and divine purpose that can be applied to daily life.
Trusting God’s Plan: The inclusion of every member of Jacob’s family, even those born in Egypt, serves as a reminder that God’s plans are inclusive and often work beyond immediate understanding. This encourages believers to trust that God is at work in all circumstances, weaving together events for a greater purpose.
Strength in Unity: The verse highlights the importance of family and community in fulfilling God’s promises. In modern application, it suggests that unity among people of faith can lead to the fulfillment of collective goals that align with God’s will.
Counting Every Blessing: The detailed enumeration of Jacob’s family signifies that every member counts in God’s eyes. For contemporary believers, this underlines the value of recognizing and appreciating each individual’s role in a community, reinforcing the notion that all contributions are part of God’s greater plan.
Comparison with Other Biblical Texts
Genesis 10: The Table of Nations: The use of the number 70 in Genesis 10, which lists the nations descended from Noah’s sons, parallels the symbolic completeness represented by Jacob’s family entering Egypt. Both instances underscore God’s oversight in the formation of peoples and His sovereignty over human history.
Exodus 1:5: “And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt already.” This repetition reinforces the importance of the number and emphasizes that the time in Egypt was a continuation of God’s plan, connecting Genesis 46:27 directly to the prelude of Israel’s enslavement and eventual liberation.
Acts 7:14 (Stephen’s Speech): In recounting Israel’s history, Stephen refers to the 75 people who went to Egypt, which includes other family members beyond Jacob’s direct descendants. This variation highlights how numbers were recorded differently in various traditions, emphasizing the inclusivity and significance of the migration.
Modern-Day Relevance
Genesis 46:27 speaks to modern readers about God’s faithfulness and the unfolding of divine promises. The verse is a testament to how God keeps His word, even through complex and seemingly unrelated events. For individuals and communities today, this provides reassurance that God’s plans are comprehensive and involve every member of His creation.
The inclusion of Joseph’s sons born in a foreign land also illustrates that God’s blessings can extend beyond traditional boundaries and expectations. This can inspire modern believers to look for God’s hand at work in diverse and unexpected situations, understanding that God’s purposes are far-reaching and inclusive.
Conclusion
Genesis 46:27 encapsulates a significant moment in the history of Israel’s formation and serves as a bridge between the patriarchal stories of Genesis and the nation-building narrative of Exodus. The verse’s emphasis on completeness, divine providence, and family unity carries lessons that resonate with believers today. It calls for trust in God’s plan, recognition of unity, and valuing each individual’s role in the larger divine purpose.
Genesis 46:27 Commentary
Commentators often emphasize the providential nature of Jacob’s family’s move to Egypt as a fulfillment of God’s promises and the number 70’s symbolic importance. The inclusion of Joseph’s sons born in Egypt is seen as a sign of God’s blessing and redemption in Joseph’s life, reflecting His power to turn adverse situations into sources of growth and blessing.
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