Genesis 46:26Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Consider how, after the passing of Jacob and Joseph, the Egyptian king attempted relentlessly to diminish their offspring and curb their growth. Nevertheless, his efforts were in vain, as Jacob's lineage only continued to flourish. This underscores the marvelous Providence of God, illustrating that what He has decreed is destined to occur, regardless of the multitude of obstacles that may be attempted against it. The Scriptures often speak of humanity as a whole—sometimes addressing the soul, other times the body. Thus, when it states that Jacob went down into Egypt with seventy-five souls, it does not categorize them as ‘husbands and wives’ but instead refers to the count of individual lives (Gen. 47:12).

The record we read, ‘The son of Manasseh, whom the Syrian concubine bore to him, was Mahir; and Mahir begat Gilead; and the sons of Ephraim, the brother of Manasseh, were Sutalaam and Taam; and the son of Sutalaam was Eden’ (Genesis 46:20 in the LXX), is included for clarity, as the subsequent mention seems to be retrospective. When Jacob arrived in Egypt, Ephraim and Manasseh were not of an age to bear children. Thus, it is evident that the total number of souls from Jacob’s lineage who entered Egypt amounted to seventy; sixty-six of whom arrived later and were joined by three already present in Egypt: Joseph and his two sons; with Jacob himself being the seventieth. Even the Seventy Translators noted in Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 10:22) that ‘with a company of seventy souls, Jacob entered Egypt,’ to ensure there is no misunderstanding regarding my adherence to Scripture. If anyone disputes this interpretation, they risk making Scripture inconsistent. The Seventy Translators, who here claim, through πρόληψις (Greek for foreknowledge), that seventy-five souls entered Egypt—including Joseph and his descendants—later affirm in Deuteronomy that only seventy presented themselves. If there is a challenge regarding Stephen’s claim in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 7) that seventy-five souls went to Egypt, it can be clarified easily. St. Luke, the author of this narrative, aimed to ensure his account aligned with the Scriptures already familiar to the Gentiles. Furthermore, during that time, the authority of the Seventy commentators outweighed that of Luke, an unrecognized and humble author not yet trusted by the nations. Notably, when the apostles or those associated with them spoke to Gentile audiences, they frequently relied on well-established testimonies that were already known to them. It is believed by some that Luke the evangelist was a proselyte and may have lacked direct knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures.