Genesis 46:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The departure of the Hebrews into Egypt is significant in the narrative of God's people, both for its own sake and even more so considering the subsequent trials they encountered, as well as the miraculous return to the promised land. When confronted with the dilemma of how God's people were allowed to enter a nation where they would endure great suffering and from which their escape was challenging, Moses provides insight in the current account, illustrating and affirming Divine Providence in every instance. Among those named is Dinah, one of Jacob’s daughters, included in the enumeration of the exiles. The term "daughters" may refer to the wives of Jacob’s sons, yet it appears to signify Jacob's descendants here, as also indicated later in Genesis 46:15. This apparent inconsistency can be explained by the linguistic imprecision that can occur, as seen in Genesis 46:23, Genesis 36:25, and Numbers 26:43.

Jacob rose from the place of his covenant, and his sons gathered their father Israel, along with his possessions and his wives, into the carts that Joseph had sent for them. Jacob, along with his entire lineage, his sons, grandsons, daughters, and granddaughters, all journeyed into Egypt. The sons of Israel lifted their father as he was advanced in years and placed him along with his belongings and wives into the chariots, while they traveled partially on foot, leading their flocks, and partly on donkeys. The term "daughters" refers to the wives of Jacob’s sons, since Jacob had only one daughter, Dinah (Genesis 46:15). The phrase "all the seed" encompasses everyone, including Joseph and his sons, and Jacob himself, totaling seventy-five souls who settled in Egypt, as detailed in the subsequent enumeration (Gen. 46:27).