King James Version

What Does Genesis 46:15 Mean?

Genesis 46:15 in the King James Version says “These be the sons of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob in Padanaram, with his daughter Dinah: all the souls of his sons an... — study this verse from Genesis chapter 46 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

These be the sons of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob in Padanaram, with his daughter Dinah: all the souls of his sons and his daughters were thirty and three.

Genesis 46:15 · KJV


Context

13

And the sons of Issachar; Tola, and Phuvah, and Job, and Shimron. Phuvah, and Job: or, Puah, and Jashub

14

And the sons of Zebulun; Sered, and Elon, and Jahleel.

15

These be the sons of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob in Padanaram, with his daughter Dinah: all the souls of his sons and his daughters were thirty and three.

16

And the sons of Gad; Ziphion, and Haggi, Shuni, and Ezbon, Eri, and Arodi, and Areli. Ziphion: or, Zephon Ezbon: or, Ozni Arodi: or, Arod

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
These be the sons of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob in Padan-aram, with his daughter Dinah: all the... 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to the biblical doctrine of creation, fall, or redemption?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
אֵ֣לֶּה׀1 of 17
H428

these or those

בָּנָ֛יו2 of 17

These be the sons

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

לֵאָ֗ה3 of 17

of Leah

H3812

leah, a wife of jacob

אֲשֶׁ֨ר4 of 17
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יָֽלְדָ֤ה5 of 17

which she bare

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

לְיַֽעֲקֹב֙6 of 17

unto Jacob

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

בְּפַדַּ֣ן7 of 17
H0
אֲרָ֔ם8 of 17

in Padanaram

H6307

paddan or paddan-aram, a region of syria

וְאֵ֖ת9 of 17
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

דִּינָ֣ה10 of 17

Dinah

H1783

dinah, the daughter of jacob

וּבְנוֹתָ֖יו11 of 17

and his daughters

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

כָּל12 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

נֶ֧פֶשׁ13 of 17

all the souls

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

בָּנָ֛יו14 of 17

These be the sons

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וּבְנוֹתָ֖יו15 of 17

and his daughters

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים16 of 17

were thirty

H7970

thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth

וְשָׁלֹֽשׁ׃17 of 17

and three

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 46:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 46:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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