King James Version

What Does Genesis 46:20 Mean?

Genesis 46:20 in the King James Version says “And unto Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of ...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 46 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And unto Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him. priest: or, prince”

Genesis 46:20 · KJV

Context

18

These are the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah his daughter, and these she bare unto Jacob, even sixteen souls.

19

The sons of Rachel Jacob's wife; Joseph, and Benjamin.

20

And unto Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him. priest: or, prince

21

And the sons of Benjamin were Belah, and Becher, and Ashbel, Gera, and Naaman, Ehi, and Rosh, Muppim, and Huppim, and Ard. Ehi: or, Ahiram Muppim: or, Shupham or, Shuppim Huppim: or, Hupham

22

These are the sons of Rachel, which were born to Jacob: all the souls were fourteen .

Read Genesis 46 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And unto Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, which Asenath the daughter of P... 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 understanding this verse shape our doctrine of humanity, sin, or salvation?
  2. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
יָֽלְדָה1 of 17

“bare”

H3205

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

לְיוֹסֵף֮2 of 17

“And unto Joseph”

H3130

joseph, the name of seven israelites

בְּאֶ֣רֶץ3 of 17

“in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרַיִם֒4 of 17

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

אֲשֶׁ֤ר5 of 17
H834

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

יָֽלְדָה6 of 17

“bare”

H3205

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

לּוֹ֙7 of 17
H0
אָֽסְנַ֔ת8 of 17

“which Asenath”

H621

asenath, the wife of joseph

בַּת9 of 17

“the daughter”

H1323

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

פּ֥וֹטִי10 of 17
H0
פֶ֖רַע11 of 17

“of Potipherah”

H6319

poti-phera, an egyptian

כֹּהֵ֣ן12 of 17

“priest”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

אֹ֑ן13 of 17

“of On”

H204

on, a city of egypt

אֶת14 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מְנַשֶּׁ֖ה15 of 17

“Manasseh”

H4519

menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

וְאֶת16 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֶפְרָֽיִם׃17 of 17

“and Ephraim”

H669

ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

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 46:20 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 46:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 41:50-52Genesis 41:45Genesis 48:20Genesis 48:13-14Deuteronomy 33:13-171 Chronicles 5:23-26

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
HeliopolisSettlement · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E5 verses across 3 books
View all places in Genesis 46 →

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