Genesis 46:7 (KJV)

What does Genesis 46:7 mean?

Genesis 46:7 describes how Jacob brought all his descendants with him into Egypt, including his sons, grandsons, daughters, and granddaughters. The verse emphasizes that Jacob did not leave anyone behind; his entire family, referred to as his "seed," traveled with him.

In this scene, Jacob is moving his family from Canaan to Egypt at Joseph’s invitation during a time of famine. The verse highlights the completeness of the migration, showing that the whole family line—every generation and both genders—was included. This sets the stage for the Israelites’ later growth into a large nation while living in Egypt.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 46:7

• "sons" (בָּנִים, banim): This word appears several times in the verse and refers to male children and descendants. Its repetition underlines the importance of the male lineage in family records.
• "daughters" (בָּנוֹת, banot): This term means female children or descendants. Including both "sons" and "daughters" shows that the entire family, not just the men, was part of the migration.
• "seed" (זֶרַע, zeraʿ): This word often means offspring or descendants in a broad sense. Here, it stresses that every part of Jacob’s family line—his legacy—was brought into Egypt.
• "Egypt" (מִצְרַיִם, Mitzrayim): The specific mention of Egypt marks a major turning point in the family’s story, as this move leads to their later identity as a people in a foreign land.

Why Genesis 46:7 matters

• The verse makes it clear that Jacob’s entire family, not just a select group, entered Egypt. This detail is important for understanding how the Israelites became a large nation there.
• By listing sons, daughters, grandsons, and granddaughters, Genesis 46:7 shows the inclusiveness and unity of Jacob’s household at this key moment.
• The mention of "all his seed" connects back to earlier promises God made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob about their descendants, showing those promises moving forward in history.