Topical Encyclopedia The narrative of Jacob's move to Egypt is a significant event in the biblical account, marking a pivotal moment in the history of the Israelites. This event is primarily recorded in the Book of Genesis, chapters 45 to 47, and it highlights themes of divine providence, family reconciliation, and the unfolding of God's covenant promises.Background and Context Jacob, also known as Israel, was the son of Isaac and the grandson of Abraham. He was the father of twelve sons, who became the patriarchs of the twelve tribes of Israel. The account of Jacob's move to Egypt is intricately linked with the life of his son Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers and eventually rose to become the second most powerful man in Egypt under Pharaoh. The Famine and Joseph's Revelation The move to Egypt was precipitated by a severe famine that affected the entire region, including Canaan, where Jacob and his family resided. Joseph, having interpreted Pharaoh's dreams, had prepared Egypt for the famine by storing surplus grain during seven years of plenty. When the famine struck, people from surrounding lands came to Egypt to buy grain. Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to purchase food, unaware that Joseph was the governor in charge of grain distribution. After a series of events, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers, expressing forgiveness and understanding that God had sent him ahead to preserve life. In Genesis 45:5-7 , Joseph tells his brothers, "And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you. For the famine has covered the land these two years, and there will be five more years without plowing or harvesting. God sent me before you to preserve you as a remnant on the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance." Invitation to Egypt Joseph instructed his brothers to return to Canaan and bring their father and families to Egypt, where they would be provided for during the remaining years of famine. Pharaoh himself extended an invitation, offering the best of the land of Egypt for Jacob and his family. In Genesis 45:17-18 , Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Tell your brothers, 'Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan. Then bring your father and your families and come back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you shall eat from the richness of the land.'" Jacob's Journey and God's Assurance Upon hearing the news, Jacob was initially hesitant but was reassured by a divine vision. In Genesis 46:2-4 , God spoke to Jacob in a vision at night, saying, "Jacob, Jacob! ... I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes." Encouraged by God's promise, Jacob set out for Egypt with his entire family, livestock, and possessions. The journey marked the beginning of the Israelites' sojourn in Egypt, which would last for several generations. Settlement in Goshen Upon arrival in Egypt, Jacob and his family were settled in the region of Goshen, a fertile area suitable for their livestock. Joseph presented his family to Pharaoh, and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. Genesis 47:11-12 records, "So Joseph settled his father and brothers in the land of Egypt and gave them property in the best part of the land, the district of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. Joseph also provided his father and brothers and all his father’s household with food, according to the number of their children." Significance Jacob's move to Egypt was a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that his descendants would be strangers in a foreign land (Genesis 15:13). It set the stage for the eventual Exodus, where God would deliver the Israelites from bondage and lead them to the Promised Land. This event underscores the themes of God's sovereignty, faithfulness, and the unfolding of His redemptive plan through the lineage of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 46:1-7And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. Nave's Topical Index 1 Samuel 12:8 Psalm 105:23 Acts 7:14,15 Library The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. ) The Illusiveness of Life. Table of Contents Chapter xliii Psalm XLIV. Joseph Attacked by the Archers The Apology of Aristides the Philosopher. Translated from the ... Ascension Day Chapter xl Sovereignty of God in Administration Resources Why is Jacob called Jacob and Israel alternately in the book of Genesis? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of Jacob wrestling with God? | GotQuestions.org What was the story of Jacob and Esau? | GotQuestions.org Jacob: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Iconoclasm: Destroyed by Jacob Jacob: Charges his Sons to Bury Him in the Field of Machpelah Jacob: Deborah, Rebekah's Nurse, Dies, and is Buried at Beth-El Jacob: Dissatisfied With Laban's Treatment and Returns to the Land of Canaan Jacob: Dreads to Meet Esau; Sends Him Presents; Wrestles With an Angel Jacob: Erects a Monument at Rachel's Grave Jacob: Esau Seeks to Kill, Escapes to Padan-Aram Jacob: Exacts a Promise from Joseph to Bury Him With his Forefathers Jacob: Fradulently Obtains his Father's Blessing Jacob: Given in Answer to Prayer Jacob: Gives the Land of the Amorites to Joseph Jacob: God Confirms the Covenant of Abraham To Jacob: Hears That Joseph is Still Alive Jacob: His Benediction Upon Joseph and his Two Sons Jacob: His Daughter, Dinah, is Raped Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Asher Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Benjamin Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Dan Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Gad Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Issachar Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Joseph Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Judah Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Naphtali Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Simeon and Levi Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Upon Reuben Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Zebulun Jacob: His Grief Over the Detention of Simeon and the Demand for Benjamin to be Taken Into Egypt Jacob: His Grief Over the Loss of Joseph Jacob: His Partiality for his Son, Joseph, and the Consequent Jealousy of his Other Sons Jacob: His Vision of the Ladder Jacob: Joseph's Prophetic Dream Concerning Jacob: Journeys to Shalem, where he Purchase a Parcel of Ground from Hamor and Erects an Altar Jacob: List of the Names of his Twelve Sons Jacob: Lives in Egypt for Seventeen Years Jacob: Lives in the Land of Canaan Jacob: Meets Angels of God on the Journey, and Calls the Place "Mahanaim" Jacob: Obtains Esau's Birthright for Just One Bowl of Stew Jacob: Pharaoh Receives Him, and is Blessed by Jacob Jacob: Prophecies Concerning Himself and his Descendants Jacob: Reconciliation of, With Esau Jacob: Returns to Arbah, the City of his Father Jacob: Returns to Beth-El, where he Builds an Altar, and Erects and Dedicates a Pillar Jacob: Sends to Egypt to Buy Corn (Grain) Jacob: Serves Fourteen Years for Leah and Rachel Jacob: Sharp Practice of, With the Flocks and Herds of Laban Jacob: Sojourns in Haran With his Uncle, Laban Jacob: Son of Isaac, and the Twin Brother of Esau Jacob: The Incest of his Son, Reuben, With his Concubine, Bilhah Jacob: The Land of Goshen Assigned To Jacob: The List of his Children and Grandchildren Who Went Down Into Egypt Related Terms |
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