Genesis 46:27
And the sons of Joseph, who were born to him in Egypt, were two. All the persons of the house of Jacob who came into Egypt were seventy.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse clarifies that the "seventy souls" weren't just those directly descended from Jacob, but the entire "house of Jacob," which importantly includes Joseph and his sons already in Egypt, showing God's care even before Jacob arrived. It highlights that God’s family can grow and be established through people already within a place, not just those arriving.
This verse concludes a detailed census of Jacob's family, totaling seventy people, who are migrating to Egypt. It specifically notes that Joseph's two sons, born in Egypt, are counted in this total, emphasizing that the family is being gathered and established in Egypt, not just passing through. This enumeration sets the stage for God's promise to make a great nation from this small group in a foreign land, highlighting the miraculous growth that will follow.
Why does the Bible make such a big deal about the number seventy? This isn't just a headcount; it's a foundational moment for God's people.
The number seventy in Genesis 46:27 is significant, representing a complete and chosen group. It marks the formation of Israel as a distinct family unit poised for growth.
A Full House
This number includes Jacob himself, his sons, grandsons, and a few others, totaling seventy distinct individuals who made up the 'house of Jacob' arriving in Egypt. It's interesting to note that Joseph and his two sons born in Egypt are also accounted for within this count, even though they were already in Egypt.
Divine Promise
This specific number isn't arbitrary. It signifies a divinely ordained starting point. From this core group of seventy, God promised to make a great nation, a promise that would be fulfilled miraculously in the wilderness and beyond.
Joseph's sons, born in Egypt, are part of the seventy. What does this tell us about God's faithfulness, even in unfamiliar territory?
The inclusion of Joseph's two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, who were born in Egypt, is a powerful testament to God's ongoing work and faithfulness. Even before the entire family arrived, God was already blessing Joseph and expanding his lineage within the foreign land.
Faithfulness in Exile
This shows that God's plan wasn't on pause while the family journeyed. He was actively at work, ensuring the continuation and future growth of His people. Joseph's sons represent the first generation of the 'house of Jacob' born outside of Canaan, signifying a new phase of their history.
Continuity of Covenant
These new births demonstrate that the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were not tied to the land of Canaan alone. God's covenant was with the , and He would preserve and multiply them wherever they went, preparing them for the future He had planned.
Understand the original words
bayith · Hebrew Noun
A title for the head of a family, clan, or tribe. In a theological context, it refers to the extended family unit or the corporate entity of God's covenant people.
Yoseph · Hebrew Proper Noun
A prominent son of Jacob, used here as the primary figure representing the branch of the family established in Egypt. His life illustrates God's providence in using suffering for the ultimate salvation of his people.
The precise number of seventy souls who came into Egypt with Jacob's household highlights the small beginnings of a nation that would later number in the millions, underscoring God's power to fulfill His promises from seemingly insignificant origins.
c. 1885 BC
Joseph sold into slavery
Jacob's son Joseph is sold by his brothers into slavery and eventually rises to a position of power in Egypt.
c. 1875 BC
Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams
Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams, predicting a great famine and advising Egypt to store grain.
c. 1870 BC
Joseph's brothers come to Egypt for grain
During the famine, Joseph's brothers travel to Egypt to buy food, unknowingly encountering Joseph.
c. 1860 BC— this verse
Jacob and his family migrate to Egypt
Jacob, his sons, and their families, totaling seventy people, move from Canaan to Egypt in the land of Goshen due to the famine, at Joseph's invitation.
c. 1859 BC
This passage in Acts presents a slightly different number for Jacob's family entering Egypt, highlighting the varying counts and the theological significance of specific numbers in Scripture, as well as the importance of accurate counting and accounting in God's purposes.
Exodus 1:1-7These verses immediately follow the period of their arrival in Egypt, describing how the descendants of these seventy people began to multiply greatly, emphasizing the fulfillment of God's promise to make them a great nation even from this small beginning.
Deuteronomy 10:22This verse reiterates the number seventy for Jacob's descendants who went down to Egypt, serving as a confirmation of the number and reinforcing its significance in Israel's history and identity.
gillGenesis 46:27: "And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, were two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, were threescore and ten."
And the sons of Joseph, which were born in Egypt, were two souls,.... Ephraim and Manasseh; which is observed to show that they do not come into the above reckoning, but are to be taken into another that follows: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, were threescore and ten; here it may be observed, the…
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…
This verse clarifies that the "seventy souls" weren't just those directly descended from Jacob, but the entire "house of Jacob," which importantly includes Joseph and his sons already in Egypt, showing God's care even before Jacob arrived. It highlights that God’s family can grow and be established through people already within a place, not just those arriving.
This verse concludes a detailed census of Jacob's family, totaling seventy people, who are migrating to Egypt. It specifically notes that Joseph's two sons, born in Egypt, are counted in this total, emphasizing that the family is being gathered and established in Egypt, not just passing through. This enumeration sets the stage for God's promise to make a great nation from this small group in a foreign land, highlighting the miraculous growth that will follow.
This verse concludes a detailed census of Jacob's family, totaling seventy people, who are migrating to Egypt. It specifically notes that Joseph's two sons, born in Egypt, are counted in this total, emphasizing that the family is being gathered and established Egypt, not just passing through. This enumeration sets the stage for God's promise to make a great nation from this small group in a foreign land, highlighting the miraculous growth that will follow.
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Joseph dies in Egypt
Joseph dies after living 110 years in Egypt, having seen his family flourish.
c. 1660 BC
Israelites enslaved in Egypt
After generations, a new Pharaoh, who did not know Joseph, enslaves the descendants of Jacob, marking the beginning of their oppression.
"And the sons of Joseph, who were born to him in Egypt, were two. All the persons of the house of Jacob who came into Egypt were seventy." — This verse clarifies that the "seventy souls" weren't just those directly descended from Jacob, but the entire "house of Jacob," which importantly includes Joseph and his sons already in Egypt, showi…
