The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, with Serah their sister. And the sons of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The text specifically notes "Serah their sister," highlighting a rare instance of a female name being listed among the descendants in this generation. This detail emphasizes her significance, likely as the sole daughter connecting to this lineage.
The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, with Serah their sister. And the sons of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jacob and his entire household are relocating to Egypt due to famine, a journey that God promised to bless and ultimately bring them back from. This passage specifically details the descendants of Asher, listing his sons and grandsons as part of the larger genealogy of Jacob's family entering Egypt. The context emphasizes the gathering of all of Jacob's seed to fulfill God's promise of making them a great nation.
When we read lists of names, it's easy to skim past them. But each name here represents a life woven into God's grand story. Even in moments of great transition, God remembers and honors every part of His people.
Genesis 46 is a pivotal chapter where Jacob and his entire family relocate to Egypt. Amidst the grand narrative of a nation being formed, Moses meticulously lists the descendants of Israel. This isn't just a genealogy; it's a testament to God's detailed care.
A Comprehensive Inventory
The text painstakingly enumerates the sons of each of Jacob's children, even noting their own sons. This includes Asher's lineage:
Why So Many Names?
Calvin and others highlight that God’s reaffirmation of His covenant with Jacob, even as he left the promised land for Egypt, was crucial. This detailed listing serves several purposes:
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In a list dominated by men and their male descendants, one name stands out: Serah. Why is she mentioned? Her inclusion might point to something more profound about God's view of women and family.
The inclusion of Serah, the sister of Asher's sons, is a notable detail in this patriarchal list. While the focus is naturally on the continuation of the male line in ancient genealogies, Serah's name is preserved.
A Lone Voice in the Chorus
What Her Name Means
Understand the original words
achoth · Hebrew Noun
A feminine noun denoting a female child in relation to her parents; in biblical genealogies, the inclusion of a sister often highlights the complete family unit or provides context for later tribal history.
This detailed listing of Asher's descendants anchors the sprawling narrative of Israel's migration into Egypt. It highlights how even amidst divine plans and major historical shifts, the specific family lines and individuals are recognized and recorded by God.
~1800 BC
Joseph Enslaved and Rises to Power
Joseph, son of Jacob, is sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers. Through divine providence and his own wisdom, he rises to become the second-in-command over all Egypt.
c. 1730 BC— this verse
Jacob's Family Moves to Egypt
A severe famine grips Canaan, forcing Jacob (Israel) and his entire family, numbering about seventy souls, to relocate to Egypt at Joseph's invitation. They settle in the fertile land of Goshen.
c. 1730 BC
Jacob's Family Settles in Goshen
Jacob's descendants, including the lineage of Asher detailed in this verse, are given a home in the land of Goshen, a region known for its excellent pastures, suitable for their livelihood as shepherds.
c. 1716 BC
Joseph's Death
Joseph dies in Egypt at the age of 110, after seeing his descendants, including the numerous children and grandchildren listed in this chapter, flourish.
c. 1530 BC
Rise of a New Pharaoh
A new dynasty of pharaohs comes to power in Egypt, one that did not know Joseph and viewed the growing Israelite population with suspicion and fear. This marks the beginning of their oppression.
This passage provides a parallel genealogy of Asher's descendants, confirming the names of his sons and noting a sister named Serah, reinforcing the familial record found in Genesis.
1 Chronicles 7:30-32This chapter also lists the descendants of Asher, including Jimnah, Ishuah, Ishvi, and Beriah, and his sons Heber and Malchiel, further corroborating the lineage presented in Genesis and highlighting the continuity of these family lines.
Genesis 46:18This verse immediately precedes the mention of Asher's descendants and lists the sons of Zilpah, Asher's mother, linking the entire clan of Asher within the broader context of Jacob's family migrating to Egypt.
Exodus 1:1-5This passage recounts the proliferation of the Israelites in Egypt, starting from the sons who came with Jacob, and thus serves as a direct continuation of the family count initiated in Genesis 46.
calvinGenesis 46:1-34: "And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac."
- Et dixit Deus ad Israel in visi onibus noctis, dixit inquam, Jahacob Jahacob. Ille respondit, Ecce, adsum.
3 And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:
- Et dixit, Ego sum Deus, Deus patris tui: ne timeas descendere in Aegyptum: quia in gentem magnam ponam to ibi…
ellicottGenesis 46:17: "And the sons of Asher; Jimnah, and Ishuah, and Isui, and Beriah, and Serah their sister: and the sons of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel."
(17) Asher has four sons: Numbers 26:44-45. 1Chronicles 7:30. Jimnah, Jimna, Imnah, Ishuah, (omitted) Isuah, Isui, Jesui, Ishuai, Beriah. Beriah. Beriah. The sister is everywhere Serach, though called Serah here, and Sarah in Numbers. The three documents all agree in the names of Heber and Malchiel, sons of Beriah.
The text specifically notes "Serah their sister," highlighting a rare instance of a female name being listed among the descendants in this generation. This detail emphasizes her significance, likely as the sole daughter connecting to this lineage.
Jacob and his entire household are relocating to Egypt due to famine, a journey that God promised to bless and ultimately bring them back from. This passage specifically details the descendants of Asher, listing his sons and grandsons as part of the larger genealogy of Jacob's family entering Egypt. The context emphasizes the gathering of all of Jacob's seed to fulfill God's promise of making them a great nation.
Jacob and his entire household are relocating to Egypt due to famine, a journey that God promised to bless and ultimately bring them back from. This passage specifically details the descendants of Asher, listing his sons and grandsons as part of the larger genealogy of Jacob's family entering Egypt. The context emphasizes the gathering of all of Jacob's seed to fulfill God's promise of making them a great nation.
"The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, with Serah their sister. And the sons of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel." — The text specifically notes "Serah their sister," highlighting a rare instance of a female name being listed among the descendants in this generation. This detail emphasizes her significance, likely…
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Last reviewed October 2026