King James Version

What Does Genesis 46:29 Mean?

Genesis 46:29 in the King James Version says “And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 46 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Genesis 46:29 · KJV

Context

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.

31

And Joseph said unto his brethren, and unto his father's house, I will go up, and shew Pharaoh, and say unto him, My brethren, and my father's house, which were in the land of Canaan, are come unto me;

Read Genesis 46 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented h... 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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 does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיֶּאְסֹ֤ר1 of 17

“made ready”

H631

to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle

יוֹסֵף֙2 of 17

“And Joseph”

H3130

joseph, the name of seven israelites

מֶרְכַּבְתּ֔וֹ3 of 17

“his chariot”

H4818

a chariot

וַיַּ֛עַל4 of 17

“and went up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

לִקְרַֽאת5 of 17

“to meet”

H7125

an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל6 of 17

“Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אָבִ֖יו7 of 17

“his father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

גֹּ֑שְׁנָה8 of 17

“to Goshen”

H1657

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

וַיֵּרָ֣א9 of 17

“and presented”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֵלָ֗יו10 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וַיִּפֹּל֙11 of 17

“himself unto him and he fell”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

עַל12 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

צַוָּארָ֖יו13 of 17

“on his neck”

H6677

the back of the neck (as that on which burdens are bound)

וַיֵּ֥בְךְּ14 of 17

“and wept”

H1058

to weep; generally to bemoan

עַל15 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

צַוָּארָ֖יו16 of 17

“on his neck”

H6677

the back of the neck (as that on which burdens are bound)

עֽוֹד׃17 of 17

“a good while”

H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

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 46:29 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 46:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 15:20Genesis 33:4Genesis 45:14-15Acts 20:37Genesis 45:21Genesis 41:43

Places in This Verse

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

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 46 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Genesis 46 with CommentaryAll Genesis ChaptersComplete Genesis QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes