Genesis 46 recounts Jacob's journey to Egypt to reunite with his son Joseph, whom he had believed to be dead for many years.
When Jacob learned that Joseph was not only alive but also a powerful ruler in Egypt, he decided to travel there with his entire household. Before leaving, Jacob stopped at Beersheba to offer sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac, seeking God’s guidance for this big decision.
God appeared to Jacob in a vision during the night, reassuring him not to fear going down to Egypt. The Lord promised to make Jacob into a great nation while in Egypt and guaranteed that He would bring Jacob's descendants back to the promised land. God also assured Jacob that Joseph would be present to close his eyes when he died, providing comfort about his final moments.
The chapter includes a detailed genealogical record of Jacob's family members who accompanied him to Egypt. This comprehensive list includes his sons and their children, totaling seventy people from Jacob's lineage who entered Egypt. The genealogy is organized by the mothers of Jacob's children — those born to Leah, Rachel, and the two maidservants Bilhah and Zilpah — creating a complete family record.
Jacob sent Judah ahead to Joseph to get directions to Goshen, the region where they planned to settle. When Joseph learned of his family's arrival, he prepared his chariot and traveled to meet his father in Goshen. Joseph fell on his father's neck and wept for a long time, while Jacob expressed that he could now die in peace since he had seen Joseph alive again.
Genesis 46 concludes with Joseph preparing to present his family to Pharaoh. He instructed his brothers on how to respond when Pharaoh asks about their occupation, advising them to identify themselves as keepers of livestock. Joseph explained this strategy would help ensure they could settle in Goshen, as shepherds were considered an abomination to the Egyptians, which would actually work in their favor by keeping them separate and allowing them to maintain their distinct identity in their designated region.
