And the sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard.
English Standard Version (ESV)
While this verse lists Benjamin's sons, the significant detail is that it's not just a simple headcount. This genealogy serves to establish that all of Jacob's lineage, even those born after their arrival or potentially even before, are counted as part of the foundational seventy souls descending into Egypt, ensuring their inclusion in God's unfolding plan.
And the sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard.
English Standard Version (ESV)
As the entire family of Jacob is preparing to move to Egypt due to a severe famine, this passage serves as a detailed census of his descendants. It lists the names of the sons of each of Jacob's wives, culminating with the sons of Benjamin, to show the full extent of the household making this momentous journey. This meticulous accounting highlights the significant growth of Jacob's lineage, which God promised would become a great nation.
Imagine leaving your homeland forever, not knowing what awaits. This wasn't just Jacob's journey; it was the beginning of a nation, packed into wagons and venturing into Egypt.
Genesis 46 marks a pivotal moment: Jacob and his entire household, numbering seventy souls, leave Canaan for Egypt. This wasn't a relocation due to choice, but a divine plan unfolding amid famine.
God's Promise in Action
Benjamin, the youngest, whose mother Rachel died giving birth to him, ends up with a substantial lineage listed here. What does this tell us about God's view of the 'least'?
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The inclusion of Benjamin's ten sons in this genealogy is significant, especially considering he was Jacob's youngest and likely still quite young himself when the family moved to Egypt.
From Vulnerability to Vitality
Why list so many names? These aren't just historical markers; they represent the building blocks of a nation, each with a story, a lineage, and a future tied to God's promise.
The detailed genealogies in Genesis, like the list of Benjamin's sons, serve a crucial purpose beyond mere record-keeping. They reveal God's intentionality in establishing His people.
God's Covenantal Memory
Understand the original words
ben · Hebrew Noun
In a genealogical context, this refers to male descendants, often highlighting the continuation of the family line, covenant promise, and tribal identity. It denotes those who carry the father's name and inheritance.
This list of Benjamin's sons is part of the larger census of Jacob's family moving to Egypt, highlighting the significant growth of this clan from a small group to a people poised for national development.
c. 1750 BC
Joseph's Family in Canaan
Jacob's family, now including Joseph, lives in the land of Canaan. Joseph has been sold into slavery and risen to a high position in Egypt.
c. 1728 BC
Severe Famine in Canaan
A devastating famine strikes Canaan, forcing Jacob to send his sons to Egypt to buy food. Joseph, now in authority, recognizes them.
c. 1728 BC
Joseph Reveals Himself
After testing his brothers, Joseph reveals his identity, leading to reconciliation and an invitation for the entire family to settle in Egypt.
c. 1728 BC— this verse
Jacob's Family Departs for Egypt
Jacob, encouraged by God and Pharaoh, leads his entire household, totaling seventy people, from Canaan to the land of Goshen in Egypt.
c. 1728 BC
Jacob's Descendants Listed
The Bible lists the names of Jacob's sons and grandsons who migrated to Egypt, including the ten sons of Benjamin.
c. 1728 BC
Settlement in Goshen
Jacob's family settles in the fertile region of Goshen, a pastureland set apart for them as shepherds.
This passage provides a parallel list of Benjamin's descendants, highlighting variations in names and lineage that show how these family lines were tracked and how records could differ slightly across biblical accounts.
1 Chronicles 7:6This chapter also lists Benjamin's sons, offering another perspective on the genealogy and emphasizing the importance of tracing lineage, even with minor discrepancies, within the larger narrative of Israel's history.
Genesis 37:3This verse mentions Jacob's special favor towards Joseph, which, when compared to the detailed listing of all his sons and grandsons here, underscores the familial context and the significance of each individual within the growing nation.
Exodus 1:1-5This passage immediately follows the account of Jacob's family entering Egypt and directly shows the remarkable growth of this small group into a multitude, providing the 'aha!' moment for why tracing these specific family lines was so crucial.
Romans 11:25-26Paul speaks of a 'fullness of Gentiles' and how 'all Israel will be saved,' reflecting a similar theme of a chosen people growing from a small remnant into a great nation, echoing the Genesis narrative of Jacob's family.
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 46:21: "And the sons of Benjamin were Belah, and Becher, and Ashbel, Gera, and Naaman, Ehi, and Rosh, Muppim, and Huppim, and Ard."
(21) Benjamin has ten sons: Numbers 26:38-40. 1Chronicles 7:6. 1Chronicles 8:1-5. Belah, Bela, Bela, Bela, Becher, (omitted) Becher, (omitted) Ashbel, Ashbel, Jediael. Ashbel, Gera, (omitted) (given as grandson) Naaman, (given as grandson) do. Ehi, Ahiram, Aharah, Nohah, Rosh, (omitted) Rapha (?) Muppim, Shupham, (given as grandson) Huppim, Hupham, do. Ard,…
While this verse lists Benjamin's sons, the significant detail is that it's not just a simple headcount. This genealogy serves to establish that all of Jacob's lineage, even those born after their arrival or potentially even before, are counted as part of the foundational seventy souls descending into Egypt, ensuring their inclusion in God's unfolding plan.
As the entire family of Jacob is preparing to move to Egypt due to a severe famine, this passage serves as a detailed census of his descendants. It lists the names of the sons of each of Jacob's wives, culminating with the sons of Benjamin, to show the full extent of the household making this momentous journey. This meticulous accounting highlights the significant growth of Jacob's lineage, which God promised would become a great nation.
As the entire family of Jacob is preparing to move to Egypt due to a severe famine, this passage serves as a detailed census of his descendants. It lists the names of the sons of each of Jacob's wives, culminating with the sons of Benjamin, to show the full extent of the household making this momentous journey. This meticulous accounting highlights the significant growth of Jacob's lineage, which God promised would become a great nation.
"And the sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard." — While this verse lists Benjamin's sons, the significant detail is that it's not just a simple headcount. This genealogy serves to establish that all of Jacob's lineage, even those born after their…
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Last reviewed October 2026