King James Version

What Does Genesis 46:5 Mean?

Genesis 46:5 in the King James Version says “And Jacob rose up from Beersheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wi...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 46 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Jacob rose up from Beersheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him.”

Genesis 46:5 · KJV

Context

3

And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:

4

I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes.

5

And Jacob rose up from Beersheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him.

6

And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him:

7

His sons, and his sons' sons with him, his daughters, and his sons' daughters, and all his seed brought he with him into Egypt.

Read Genesis 46 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Jacob rose up from Beer-sheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their litt... 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. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיָּ֥קָם1 of 20

“rose up”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

יַֽעֲקֹ֣ב2 of 20

“And Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

מִבְּאֵ֣ר3 of 20
H0
שָׁ֑בַע4 of 20

“from Beersheba”

H884

beer-sheba, a place in palestine

לָשֵׂ֥את5 of 20

“carried”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

בְנֵֽי6 of 20

“and 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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל7 of 20

“of Israel”

H3478

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

אֶת8 of 20
H853

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

יַֽעֲקֹ֣ב9 of 20

“And Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

אֲבִיהֶ֗ם10 of 20

“their father”

H1

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

וְאֶת11 of 20
H853

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

טַפָּם֙12 of 20

“and their little ones”

H2945

a family (mostly used collectively in the singular)

וְאֶת13 of 20
H853

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

נְשֵׁיהֶ֔ם14 of 20

“and their wives”

H802

a woman

בָּֽעֲגָל֕וֹת15 of 20

“in the wagons”

H5699

something revolving, i.e., a wheeled vehicle

אֲשֶׁר16 of 20
H834

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

שָׁלַ֥ח17 of 20

“had sent”

H7971

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

פַּרְעֹ֖ה18 of 20

“which Pharaoh”

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

לָשֵׂ֥את19 of 20

“carried”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אֹתֽוֹ׃20 of 20
H853

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

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 46:5 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 46:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 45:21Genesis 45:19Genesis 45:27Exodus 10:24Exodus 10:26Genesis 31:17-18

Places in This Verse

Beersheba 2Settlement · Modern: Tel Beer Sheva · 31.24°N, 34.84°E10 verses across 1 book
EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Genesis 46 →

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