King James Version

What Does Genesis 46:28 Mean?

Genesis 46:28 in the King James Version says “And he sent Judah before him unto Joseph, to direct his face unto Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 46 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he sent Judah before him unto Joseph, to direct his face unto Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen.”

Genesis 46:28 · KJV

Context

26

All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, which came out of his loins, besides Jacob's sons' wives, all the souls were threescore and six; loins: Heb. thigh

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.

28

And he sent Judah before him unto Joseph, to direct his face unto Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen.

29

And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.

30

And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive.

Read Genesis 46 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he sent Judah before him unto Joseph, to direct his face unto Goshen; and they came into the lan... 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. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וְאֶת1 of 12
H853

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

יְהוּדָ֞ה2 of 12

“Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

שָׁלַ֤ח3 of 12

“And he sent”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

לְפָנָ֖יו4 of 12

“before him”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

אֶל5 of 12
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יוֹסֵ֔ף6 of 12

“unto Joseph”

H3130

joseph, the name of seven israelites

לְהוֹרֹ֥ת7 of 12

“to direct”

H3384

properly, to flow as water (i.e., to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e., to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by

לְפָנָ֖יו8 of 12

“before him”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

גֹּֽשֶׁן׃9 of 12

“of Goshen”

H1657

goshen, the residence of the israelites in egypt; also a place in palestine

וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ10 of 12

“and they came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אַ֥רְצָה11 of 12

“into the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

גֹּֽשֶׁן׃12 of 12

“of Goshen”

H1657

goshen, the residence of the israelites in egypt; also a place in palestine

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 46:28 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 46:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 45:10Genesis 31:21Genesis 43:8Genesis 49:8Genesis 44:16-34Genesis 46:34-47:1

Places in This Verse

Goshen 1Region · Modern: Qantir · 30.80°N, 31.83°E11 verses across 2 books
View all places in Genesis 46 →

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