Genesis 46:3-34 ▼

3 “I am God, He said, “the God {Elohe} of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt (land of bondage), for I will make you into a great nation there.

4 I will go down with you to Egypt (land of bondage), and I will surely bring you back. And Joseph’s (YHWH has added) own hands will close your eyes.”

5 Then Jacob (he grasps the heel) departed from (well of seven) Beersheba, and the sons of Israel (he wrestles with God) took their father Jacob in the wagons Pharaoh (great house) had sent to carry him, along with their children and wives.

6 They also took the livestock and possessions they had acquired in the land of Canaan (lowland), and Jacob (he grasps the heel) and all his offspring went to Egypt (land of bondage).

7 Jacob took with him to Egypt (land of bondage) his sons and grandsons, and his daughters and granddaughters—all his offspring.

8 Now these are the names of the sons of Israel (he wrestles with God) (Jacob (he grasps the heel) and his descendants) who went to Egypt (land of bondage): Reuben (behold a son), Jacob’s firstborn.

9 The sons of Reuben (behold a son): Hanoch (dedicated), Pallu (distinguished), Hezron (surrounded by a wall), and Carmi (my vineyard).

10 The sons of Simeon (heard): Jemuel (Nemuel), Jamin (right hand), Ohad (united), Jachin (He will establish), Zohar (Zerah), and Shaul (desired) the son of a Canaanite woman (merchants).

11 The sons of Levi (joined to): Gershon (exile), Kohath (assembly), and Merari (bitter).

12 The sons of Judah (praised): Er (awake), Onan (strong), Shelah (a petition), Perez (breaking out), and Zerah (rising); but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan (lowland). The sons of Perez: Hezron (surrounded by a wall) and Hamul (spared).

13 The sons of Issachar (there is recompense): Tola (worm), Puvah [Puah], Job [Jashub], and Shimron (watch-height).

14 The sons of Zebulun (exalted): Sered (fear), Elon (mighty), and Jahleel (God waits).

15 These are the sons of Leah (weary) born to Jacob (he grasps the heel) in (field) Paddan-aram (northwest Mesopotamia), in addition to his daughter Dinah (judgment). The total number of sons and daughters was thirty-three.

16 The sons of Gad (troop): Ziphion [Zephon], Haggi (festive), Shuni (fortunate), Ezbon (hastening to discern), Eri (watchful), Arodi (Arod), and Areli (lion of God).

17 The children of Asher (happy): Imnah (right hand), Ishvah (he will resemble), Ishvi (he resembles me), Beriah (with a friend), and their sister Serah (the prince breathed). The sons of Beriah: Heber (comrade) and Malchiel (my king is God).

18 These are the sons of Jacob (he grasps the heel) born to Zilpah (a trickling)—whom Laban (white) gave to his daughter Leah (weary)—sixteen in all.

19 The sons of Jacob’s (he grasps the heel) wife Rachel (little lamb): Joseph (YHWH has added) and Benjamin (son of the right hand).

20 Manasseh (causing to forget) and Ephraim (doubly fruitful) were born to Joseph (YHWH has added) in the land of Egypt (land of bondage) by Asenath (belonging to the goddess Neith) daughter of Potiphera (he whom the Ra gave), priest of On (Heliopolis).

21 The sons of Benjamin (son of the right hand): Bela (destruction), Becher (young camel), Ashbel (fire of Bel), Gera (a grain), Naaman (pleasantness), Ehi (my brother), Rosh (head), Muppim (serpent), Huppim (protected), and Ard (I shall subdue).

22 These are the sons of Rachel (little lamb) born to Jacob (he grasps the heel)—fourteen in all.

23 The son of Dan (He has judged): Hushim (who makes haste).

24 The sons of Naphtali (wrestling): Jahzeel (God divides), Guni, Jezer (forming), and Shillem (repaid).

25 These are the sons of Jacob (he grasps the heel) born to Bilhah (troubled), whom Laban (white) gave to his daughter Rachel (little lamb)—seven in all.

26 All those belonging to Jacob (he grasps the heel) who came to Egypt (land of bondage)—his direct descendants, besides the wives of Jacob’s sons—numbered sixty-six persons.

27 And with the two sons [the nine sons] who had been born to Joseph (YHWH has added) in Egypt (land of bondage), the members of Jacob’s (he grasps the heel) family who went to Egypt were seventy [seventy-five] in all.

28 Now Jacob had sent Judah (praised) ahead of him to Joseph (YHWH has added) to get directions to Goshen (drawing near). When Jacob’s family arrived in the land of Goshen,

29 Joseph (YHWH has added) prepared his chariot and went there (drawing near) to meet his father Israel (he wrestles with God). Joseph presented himself to him, embraced him, and wept profusely.

30 Then Israel (he wrestles with God) said to Joseph (YHWH has added), “Finally I can die, now that I have seen your face and know that you are still alive!”

31 Joseph (YHWH has added) said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “I will go up and inform Pharaoh (great house): ‘My brothers and my father’s household from the land of Canaan (lowland) have come to me.

32 The men are shepherds; they raise livestock, and they have brought their flocks and herds and all that they own.’

33 When Pharaoh (great house) summons you⁺ and asks, ‘What is your⁺ occupation?’

34 you⁺ are to say, ‘Your servants have raised livestock ever since our youth—both we and our fathers.’ Then you⁺ will be allowed to settle in the land of Goshen (drawing near), since all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians (double straits).”