King James Version

What Does Genesis 46:22 Mean?

Genesis 46:22 in the King James Version says “These are the sons of Rachel, which were born to Jacob: all the souls were fourteen .” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 46 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Genesis 46:22 · KJV

Context

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 .

23

And the sons of Dan; Hushim. Hushim: or, Shuham

24

And the sons of Naphtali; Jahzeel, and Guni, and Jezer, and Shillem.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
These are the sons of Rachel, which were born to Jacob: all the souls were fourteen.... 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 deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
  2. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
אֵ֚לֶּה1 of 10
H428

these or those

בְּנֵ֣י2 of 10

“These are 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

רָחֵ֔ל3 of 10

“of Rachel”

H7354

rachel, a wife of jacob

אֲשֶׁ֥ר4 of 10
H834

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

יֻלַּ֖ד5 of 10

“which were born”

H3205

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

לְיַֽעֲקֹ֑ב6 of 10

“to Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

כָּל7 of 10
H3605

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

נֶ֖פֶשׁ8 of 10

“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

אַרְבָּעָ֥ה9 of 10

“were fourteen”

H702

four

עָשָֽׂר׃10 of 10
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

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 46:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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