Gen. 46 Jacob sets out towards Egypt with his family and substance; offers saerifices at Beer-sheba; God appears to him in a vision, renewing his promises and blessing, Gen. 46:1–4. He goes to Egypt, Gen. 46:5–6. The names of the children of Israel, Gen. 46:8–27.

Both in thankfulness to God for former favours, and especially for Joseph’s preservation and happiness; and by way of supplication to God for his direction in this great case, whether he might leave the promised land of Canaan, and go into the idolatrous and impious land of Egypt; and for his…

In the visions of the night, i.e. in that way or manner of visions which God affordeth to men by night, and in their sleep. See Gen. 20:3, Job 33:15–16, Matt. 1:20, Matt. 2:13, Matt. 2:19, Acts 16:9, Acts 18:9;c.

Here were many causes of fear; lest he should do evil in forsaking the promised and blessed land, and going to a place which had been incommodious to his grandfather, Gen. 12:15, and forbidden to his father, Gen.

I will bring thee up again, though not in thy person, yet in thy body, Gen. 47:29–30, Gen. 50:5, Gen. 50:13; and in thy posterity, which are a part of thyself, or thyself multiplied.

In the land of Canaan, and in Mesopotamia. But Canaan only is here mentioned, because here they got the far greatest part of them, which by a synecdoche is put for the whole.

His daughters; either his daughter Dinah, the plural number for the singular, as Gen. 46:23, Gen. 21:7, Num. 26:8, or Dinah and her daughters; for grandchildren are commonly called their grandfather’s children, or sons or daughters; or his daughters-in-law, his son’s wives.

This genealogy is both here and elsewhere described exactly and particularly, as well to show the faithfulness of God in the performance of his promise concerning the vast multiplication of Abraham’s seed, and that in so short a time, as to distinguish the tribes; which was of great importance, and…

Ohad is not mentioned in those parallel places, because he was then dead, and that without issue. The son of a Canaanitish woman; which is here mentioned as a brand upon him, and as an intimation that the rest of them, except Judah, married to persons of a better race.

Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan, and therefore are not contained in the following number, Gen. 46:15. Hezron and Hamul, though they seem to have been born in Egypt, yet are here set down amongst those who came into Egypt, because they came thither in their father’s loins, as Levi is said to…

Which she bare unto Jacob in Padan-aram: this is true properly and immediately of the sons, who were indeed born there, but improperly and mediately of the grandchildren, which are as truly said to be born of Leah in Padan as to be born of her at all, because they were indeed born of them which…

Whereof part seem to be born before his coming to Egypt, and part in Egypt, Benjamin being now but twenty and four years old.

Loins, Heb. thigh, which is here put for the secret parts between the thighs, which are called sometimes the feet, as Gen. 49:10, Deut. 28:57, Ezek. 16:25, for the like reason, because they are between the feet.

He doth not say, which came with Jacob into Egypt, because some of them came thither before him, and others with him, some in their persons, and some in their parents.

To direct his face unto Goshen; Heb. to prepare, or to teach him, the way before his face, i.e. before his coming to Goshen; i.e. to show him where it was, and into what part of it he should come and settle himself; or to give notice unto Joseph of his approach, before his face or coming into…

Doubtless Joseph fell down before him with all that reverence which children owe to their parents, and in this posture Jacob falls upon his neck, &c. Of which posture see Gen. 33:4, Gen. 45:14, Luke 15:20, Acts 20:37.

Now I expect no greater happiness upon earth, and therefore am content to die. Compare Luke 2:29.

In this design and choice Joseph shows both his prudence and piety. He brings them not to court, where it had been easy for him to have put them all into the best places and offices of the court; and as he is not ashamed to own himself a brother to shepherds, which were contemptible among the…