And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.

GENESIS 46:29KJV
Know the Bible

Genesis 46:29 (KJV)

What does Genesis 46:29 mean?

Genesis 46:29 describes Joseph preparing his chariot and traveling to meet his father, Israel (Jacob), in Goshen. When Joseph sees his father, he embraces him and weeps on his neck for a long time, showing deep emotion and reunion after many years apart.

In this verse, Joseph is the main actor, taking action to meet his father as Jacob arrives in Egypt with his family. The meeting happens in Goshen, a region in Egypt where Joseph had arranged for his family to settle. The verse highlights the strong bond and overwhelming feelings between Joseph and Jacob, emphasizing the personal and emotional side of their reunion after a long separation.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 46:29

  • The word for "chariot" is מֶרְכָּבָה (merkavah), which refers to a royal or official vehicle, showing Joseph's high status in Egypt.
  • The verb "presented" is רָאָה (ra'ah), meaning "to see" or "to appear," indicating Joseph made himself clearly visible to his father, not just meeting him but revealing himself after years apart.
  • The phrase "fell on his neck" uses צַוָּאר (tsavvar), meaning "neck," and נָפַל (naphal), "to fall," painting a vivid picture of Joseph's emotional embrace.
  • The verb "wept" is בָּכָה (bakah), which means "to weep" or "to cry," and the phrase "a good while" uses עוֹד (od), meaning "still" or "for a long time," stressing the depth and length of Joseph's emotion.

Why Genesis 46:29 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that Joseph's reunion with his father was formal or restrained; instead, it was deeply emotional and personal.
  • The details emphasize Joseph's respect and love for his father, despite Joseph's powerful position in Egypt.
  • Genesis 46:29 connects to the larger story of reconciliation and restoration in Joseph's family, showing the fulfillment of long-awaited hopes and the healing of past wounds.

Where else these words appear

“Goshen” Hebrew H1657 · used in 14 verses

  • Genesis 45:10 And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast:
  • Genesis 47:4 They said moreover unto Pharaoh, For to sojourn in the land are we come; for thy servants have no pasture for their flocks; for the famine is sore in the land of Canaan: now therefore, we pray thee, let thy servants dwell in the land of Goshen.
  • Exodus 8:22 And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth.

“while” Hebrew H5750 · used in 30 verses

  • Genesis 4:25 And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.
  • Genesis 48:7 And as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan in the way, when yet there was but a little way to come unto Ephrath: and I buried her there in the way of Ephrath; the same is Bethlehem.
  • Judges 2:14 And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.

“neck” Hebrew H6677 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 27:16 And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck:
  • Job 39:19 Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?
  • Jeremiah 27:11 But the nations that bring their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him, those will I let remain still in their own land, saith the LORD; and they shall till it, and dwell therein.

“chariot” Hebrew H4818 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 41:43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.
  • 1 Kings 22:35 And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot.
  • Song of Solomon 6:12 Or ever I was aware, my soul made me like the chariots of Amminadib.