Genesis 46:3

_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:_ I will ... make of thee a great nation. How truly this promise was fulfilled, appears in the fact, that the 70 souls who went down into Egypt increased, in the space of 215 years, to an immense multitude (see the note at Exodus 12:37)....

3._Jacob, Jacob_. The design of the repetition was to render him more attentive. For, by thus familiarly addressing him, God more gently insinuates himself into his mind: as, in the Scripture, he kindly allures us, that he may prepare us to become his disciples. The docility of the holy man appears hence, that as soon as he is persuaded that God speaks, he replies that he is ready to receive with reverence whatever may be spoken, to follow wheresoever he may be called, and to undertake whatever may be commanded. Afterwards, a promise is added, by which God confirms and revives the faith of his servant. Whereas, the descent into Egypt was to him a sad event, he is bidden to be of good and cheerful mind; inasmuch as the Lord would always be his keeper, and after having increased him there to a great nation, would bring him back again to the place, whence he now compelled him to depart. And...

1-4 Even as to those events and undertakings which appear most joyful, we should seek counsel, assistance, and a blessing from the Lord. Attending on his ordinances, and receiving the pledges of his covenant love, we expect his presence, and that peace which it confers. In all removals we should be reminded of our removal out of this world. Nothing can encourage us to fear no evil when passing through the valley of the shadow of death, but the presence of Christ....

Verse Genesis 46:3. _FEAR NOT TO GO DOWN INTO EGYPT_] It appears that there had been some doubts in the patriarch's mind relative to the propriety of this journey; he found, from the confession of his own sons, how little they were to be trusted. But every doubt is dispelled by this Divine manifestation. 1. He may go down confidently, no evil shall befall him. 2. Even in Egypt the covenant shall be fulfilled, God will make of him _there a great_ _nation_. 3. God himself will accompany him on his journey, be with him in the strange land, and even bring back his bones to rest with those of his fathers. 4. He shall see Joseph, and this same beloved son shall be with him in his last hours, and do the last kind office for him. _Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes_. It is not likely that Jacob would have at all attempted to go d

- Jacob Goes Down to Egypt 9. פלוּא _pallû'_, Pallu, “distinguished.” חצרן _chetsrôn_, Chetsron, of the “court,” or “village.” כרמי _karmı̂y_, Karmi, “vine-dresser.” 10. ימוּאל _y__e__mû'êl_, Jemuel, “day of El.” ימין _yâmı̂yn_, Jamin, “right hand.” אהד _'ôhad_, Ohad, “joining together.” יכין _yâkı̂yn_, Jakin, “he shall establish.” צחר _tsôchar_, Tsochar, “whiteness.” 11. גרשׁון _gêr__e__shôn_, Gereshon, “expelling.” קהת _q__e__hâth_, Qe

EXPOSITION GENESIS 46:1 AND ISRAEL (as the head of the theocratic family) TOOK HIS JOURNEY—_literally, broke up, _sc. his encampment (cf. Genesis 12:9)—WITH ALL THAT HE HAD, AND CAME—from Hebron (Genesis 37:14)—TO BEERSHEBA,—where Abraham (Genesis 21:33) and Isaac (Genesis 26:25) had both sojourned for considerable periods, and erected altars to Jehovah—AND OFFERED SACRIFICES UNTO THE GOD (the Elohim) of his father Isa

AND HE SAID, I [AM] GOD, THE GOD OF THY FATHER,.... His father Isaac, who was now dead, and who is the rather mentioned, because in him Abraham's seed was to be called, and in his line the promise both of the land of Canaan, and of the Messiah, ran, and from him Jacob received the blessing; and this might be a confirmation of it to him, in that Jehovah calls himself his God; he first declares himself to be his God, and so able to perform whatever he should promise him, and his father's God, who would show him favour, as he had to him: FEAR NOT TO GO DOWN INTO EGYPT; Jacob might have many fears arise in his mind about this journey, as interpreters generally observe; as lest it should not be agreeable to the will of God, since his father Isaac was forbidden to go into Egypt, when in like circumstances with him, Genesis 26:1; as well as he, might fear it would be

I AM GOD It is important to distinguish between the directive and the permissive will of God. In the first sense the place for the covenant family was Canaan (Genesis 26:1); (Genesis 46:3) is a touching instance of the permissive will of God. Jacob's family, broken, and in part already in Egypt, the tenderness of Jehovah would not forbid the aged patriarch to follow. God will take up His people and, so far as possible, bless them, even when they are out of His best. In Israel's choice of a king (1 Samuel 8:7) in the turning back from Kadesh (Deuteronomy 1:19) in the sending of the spies; in the case of Balaam -- il

CHAPTER 46 JACOB GOES DOWN TO EGYPT _ 1. Israel's departure and the vision (Genesis 46:1)_ 2. The journey and the arrival in Egypt (Genesis 46:5) 3. The offspring of the sons of Jacob (Genesis 46:8) 4. Israel meets Joseph (Genesis 46:28) 5. Joseph's directions concerning Pharaoh (Genesis 46:31 The whole family of Jacob, consisting of seventy souls, exclusive of the wives and the servants, came to Egypt. Once more God appears to Israel, but addresses him as Jacob. He gives him permission to go down to

GENESIS 46:1 TO GENESIS 47:12. JACOB AND HIS DESCENDANTS GO DOWN INTO EGYPT AND SETTLE IN GOSHEN. The list in Genesis 46:8 with the introductory verses Genesis 46:6 f. is from P, as are Genesis 47:5_ a_, Genesis 46:7. The rest is JE. To E belong Genesis 46:1 (in the main) and perhaps Genesis 47:12