Genesis 46:6

Authorized King James Version

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And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him:

Original Language Analysis

וַיִּקְח֣וּ And they took H3947
וַיִּקְח֣וּ And they took
Strong's: H3947
Word #: 1 of 15
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 2 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִקְנֵיהֶ֗ם their cattle H4735
מִקְנֵיהֶ֗ם their cattle
Strong's: H4735
Word #: 3 of 15
something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition
וְאֶת H853
וְאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 4 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
רְכוּשָׁם֙ and their goods H7399
רְכוּשָׁם֙ and their goods
Strong's: H7399
Word #: 5 of 15
property (as gathered)
אֲשֶׁ֤ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 6 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
רָֽכְשׁוּ֙ which they had gotten H7408
רָֽכְשׁוּ֙ which they had gotten
Strong's: H7408
Word #: 7 of 15
to lay up, i.e., collect
בְּאֶ֣רֶץ in the land H776
בְּאֶ֣רֶץ in the land
Strong's: H776
Word #: 8 of 15
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
כְּנַ֔עַן of Canaan H3667
כְּנַ֔עַן of Canaan
Strong's: H3667
Word #: 9 of 15
kenaan, a son a ham; also the country inhabited by him
וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ and came H935
וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ and came
Strong's: H935
Word #: 10 of 15
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
מִצְרָ֑יְמָה into Egypt H4714
מִצְרָ֑יְמָה into Egypt
Strong's: H4714
Word #: 11 of 15
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
יַֽעֲקֹ֖ב Jacob H3290
יַֽעֲקֹ֖ב Jacob
Strong's: H3290
Word #: 12 of 15
jaakob, the israelitish patriarch
וְכָל H3605
וְכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 13 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
זַרְע֥וֹ and all his seed H2233
זַרְע֥וֹ and all his seed
Strong's: H2233
Word #: 14 of 15
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
אִתּֽוֹ׃ H854
אִתּֽוֹ׃
Strong's: H854
Word #: 15 of 15
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

Analysis & Commentary

And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came i... This passage is part of the Joseph narrative, a masterfully crafted account demonstrating God's sovereign providence working through human choices and circumstances to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The Joseph cycle shows how God transforms evil intentions into instruments of salvation.

Central themes include divine providence orchestrating events toward redemptive ends, the testing and refinement of character through suffering and success, forgiveness overcoming betrayal and injustice, and the preservation of God's covenant people through famine. Joseph's rise from slavery to second-in-command of Egypt illustrates how God exalts the humble and uses seeming disasters for ultimate good.

Theologically, these chapters reveal:

  1. God's meticulous sovereignty over all events, even evil human actions
  2. suffering as preparation for future service rather than punishment
  3. forgiveness as reflecting divine character and enabling reconciliation
  4. God's covenant faithfulness across generations ensuring the survival and blessing of His people
  5. how present suffering gains meaning when viewed from the perspective of God's larger purposes.

Joseph's words "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (50:20) epitomize biblical theodicy and providence.

Historical Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Questions for Reflection

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