Observations Upon the Old Testament, Genesis · Chapter 46
CHAP. XLVI.
Verse 1. TO Beer sheba] This was in the way from Hebron to Egypt, the most Southern part of Canaan. Here Abraham and Isaac had much been. See Annot. on ch. 21. 31.
sacrifices] Of thanks, for the tydings of Joseph. and to consult with God about his going into Egypt, and thereby to worship God.
V. 2. In the visions of the night] See Annot. on ch. 15. 1. what this vision was, and in what manner is not set down.
Jacob, Jacob] To rouse him up to attention, and for more certainty, as, ch. 22. 11. 1 Sam. 3. 10. Gen. 41. 32. See Annot. on ch. 32. 28. Here Jacob twice for Israel once. And so v. 5. The name Jacob forbidden but comparatively.
V. 3. Feare not] It seems he feared it, knowing his father in a famine was forbid it, ch. 26. 1, 2, 3. And knowing the Oracle, that his seed was to be afflicted in Egypt, ch. 15. 13, 14. And, now he and his father and grandfather had been Pilgrims, two hundred and twenty yeares in Canaan, from the first Promise of Canaan, and he saw now lesse hope to have it, by his leaving the land with seventy soules, which might seem a kinde of forsaking of it; yet by faith as he sojourned in the land, Heb. 11. 9. so now he goes to sojourne in Egypt upon this warrant.
there] Egypt. This not promised before. This wondrously fulfilled, in that of seventy souls going down, in the space of two hundred and ten years, there came up six hundred thousand men, Exod. 12. 37. Deut. 10. 22.
a great nation] This promised. ch. 28, 14. 35. 11. 15, 13
V. 4. Thee up again] Thee dead, ch. 50. 5, 13. Thy posterity after, Ex. 12. 37. Josh. 3. A like Promise, ch. 28. 15. his hands upon thine eyes] Closing them on thy death-bed. An ancient and honourable custome.
V. 6. And came into Egypt] This journey is often mentioned, Josh. 24. 4. and Esay 52. 4. Acts 7. 15. Numb. 20. 25. Deut. 10. 22. Thus that was fulfilled, chap. 15. 13.
V. 7. His daughters, and his sons daughters] As many as he had. A general kinde of speaking, though he had but one daughter Dinah, and one grand-daughter Sarah, v. 15, 17. The like speech, v. 23. and ch. 21. 7. Numb. 26. 8. 1 Chron. 2. 8, 31. His servants, no doubt, went also.
V. 8. These are the names] To know hereby their wonderful increase, ch. 35. 23. see the order of the tribes on Aarons breast-plate, Exod. 28. 10, 21.
V. 9. These foure were heads of their fathers house, Exod. 6. 14. Numb. 26. 5, 6. 1 Chron. 5. 3. So of the rest that follow.
V. 10. Jemuel] Nemuel, Numb. 26. 12. 1 Chron. 4. 24.
Obad] Omitted, Nu…b. 26. 12. 1 Chron. 4. 24.
Jachin] …areb, 1 Chron 4. 24.
Zohar] Zerah, Numb. 26. 13. 1 Chron. 4. 24.
of a Canaanitish woman] Likely Zerah, Numb. 26. 13. Gen. 28. 1.
V. 11. Kohath] Grandfather to Moses. Of his family came the Priests. They are reckoned before the Gershonites, Numb. 4. 34.
V. 12. Hezron and Hamul] Too great violence to the text, to say these were borne after in Egypt. See Annot. on ch. 29. 20. Compare the great Annotations upon this verse, and upon ch. 38. 1.
V. 13. Thola] He had a rare blessing in multitude of children, 1 Chron. 7. 2. A Judge of this name and tribes, Judg. 10. 1.
Job] Jashub, Numb. 26. 24. 1 Chron. 7. 1.
V. 15. In Padan Aram] With his Nephewes or Grandchildren, bor…e after …e went out of Padan-Aram.
Thirty three] Reckoning himself in. It seems Leah was dead.
V. 16. Ezbon] Ozni, Numb. 26. 16.
V. 17. Jisvah] His name and family wanting, Numb. 26. 44.
V. 19. Jacobs wife] As if Rachel were the sole legitimate wife.
V. 20. Ephraim] Here the LXX. adde a sonne and a Grandchilde of Manasse, and two sonnes and a Grandchilde of Ephraim, taken out of 1 Chron. 7. 14, 20. By reason of that speech, Gen. 50. 23. but this makes too bold with the Hebrew text which wants it.
V. 21. The sonnes of Benjamin,] These ten might well be borne to him now. He being now twenty seven yeares old at least, and twelve or thirteen year younger then Joseph. See Annot. on ch. 35. 18.
Belah] The eldest sonne, 1 Chron. 8. 1.
Becher] Seems to be the fourth sonne, called Nohah, 1 Chron. 8. 2. Neither is his name or family reckoned, Numb. 26. 38. but his children are named, 1 Chron. 7. 8.
Ashbel] The second son, Numb. 26. 38. 1 Chron. 8. 1. called also Jediael, 1 Chron. 7. 6.
Gera] By the LXX. made the sonne of Balah, and so the Grand-childe of Benjamin from a seeming ground of 1 Chron. 8. 3. But Benjamin was too young now to be a Grandfather, Numb. 26. 38. There is no mention of Gera, neither was he Benjamins third sonne, but Aharah.
Naaman] Another of his name, sonne of Belah, 1 Chron. 8. 4. Numb. 26. 40.
Ehi] Aharah, 1 Chron. 8. 1. third sonne, Numb. 26. 38.
Rosh] Likely Rapha the fifth sonne▪ father to Palti one of the spies, Numb. 13. 10. none of his family reckoned, Numb. 26.
Muppim] Called also Shuppim, 1 Chron. 7. 12.
Ard] Seemeth to be the son of Belah, and Grandchilde of Benjamin. And such a one thing there was, Numb. 26. 40. But this Ard was brother to Belah.
V. 22. Fourteen] The Septuagint say elghteen, adding Josephs Grandchildren, as is noted on v. 28.
V. 23. Sonnes] One sonne, change of numbers is oft in the Hebrew, v. 7. 1 Sam. 9. 21. Gen. 21. 7. Numb. 26. 42. 2 Chron. 24. 25. Thieves for one of them, Mat. 27. 44. Asse for an Asses, Zech. 9. 9. Mat. 21. 5. sate upon them, Mat. 21. 7. for which in Mark 11. 7. it is, he sate upon him.
Sixty six] So the LXX. here. Jacob is not reckoned in here: nor Joseph and his two sonnes which were now in Egypt.
V. 27. Seventy] So Exod. 1. 5. and Deut. 10. 22. counting in Jacob, Joseph and his two sons, Acts 7. 14. the number is seventy five, which will arise if we reckon in all that are here named, viz. the foure wives of Jacob, and Er, and Onan that were dead, and take out Jacob, as distinguished from them. The LXX. have here seventy five, raising the number of five out of the p…ste…ity of Ephraim and Manasseh, (see the notes on v. 20.) And St. Stephen in that, Act. 7. 14. seems to follow the LXX. as St. Luke doth, likewise in the matter of Cainan. See Annot on Gen. 11. v. 12. And see the late lea…ned and large Annotat. upon this text, where this doubt is fully discussed and determined.
V. 28. To direct his face unto Goshen] That Joseph might meet him there, and by his authority settle him there, without grievance to the native inhabitants.
V. 29. Presented himself] With lowly reverence to his father.
fell on his neck] While Joseph bowed before him.
and wept] With teares of joy, ch. 45. 1.
V. 30. Let me die] I am willing to die, as, Luke 2. 29, 30. ch. 45. 28. here that desire is accomplished.
V. 31. Unto him, my brethren] Joseph in his greatnesse not ashamed of them, yea, though shepherds were an abomination to the Egyptians, v. 34. chap. 47. 7. Hebr. 2. 11.
V 32. Shepherds] Not ashamed of their base trade in the account of the Egyptians.
V. 34. That ye may dwell in the land of Goshen] The nearest part to Canaan a fruitful pasturage for cattel. That thus living by themselvs they might be least corrupted with the Egyptians idolatry and superstition, and lesse offensive to them by their trade of shepherdy. Joseph though in that favour, and of that power, ch. 45. 19. yet would not do it without the Kings expresse consent.
Goshen] See Annot. on ch. 45. 10.
for every shepherd] See Annot. on ch. 43. 32.