How did Israel's migration partially fulfill Biblical prophecy? How many of Jacob's descendants traveled with him to Egypt? How old was Israel and the rest of his clan when they had to make the long trip?
Why Did They Move?
Joseph, under God's inspiration, predicted seven years of abundance in the land followed by seven years of famine (Genesis 41). This prediction earned him, from Pharaoh, the title of second most powerful person in Egypt.
Nine years later Joseph reveals to his brothers that the famine they have been experiencing will continue another five excruciating years. He tells them to go back to Canaan and encourage Israel (Jacob), along with the entire family, to migrate to Egypt in order to live!
Hurry and go up to my father (Israel) and say to him, 'Thus says your son Joseph, "God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me, do not wait. And you shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near to me, you and your sons and your sons' sons, and your flocks, and your herds, and all that you have.
'"And I will nourish you there, for there are still five years of famine, lest you and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty." ' (Genesis 45:9 - 11, HBFV).
Partially Fulfilling Prophecy
God revealed in 1875 B.C., to Israel's grandfather Abraham, that a migration of his descendants would take place! He also predicted they would dwell in a foreign land until finally being freed (the Exodus).
And He (God) said to Abram (Abraham), "You must surely know that your seed shall be sojourners in a land that is not theirs, (and shall serve them and they shall afflict them) four hundred years.
"And also I will judge that nation whom they shall serve. And afterward they shall come out with great substance." (Genesis 15:13 - 14, HBFV).
Abraham's descendants, in the form of Jacob (Israel) and his entire family, migrated 205 years later to the "foreign land" of Egypt!
How Many Moved?
The Bible, in Genesis 46, reveals the names of those who are direct descendants of Israel who move their homes to Egypt.
Israel, through Leah, produced 32 descendants who migrated to Egypt. These were composed of 6 sons, 1 daughter, 23 grandsons and 2 great grandsons. If we add Jacob himself we arrive at the number 33 quoted in Genesis 46:15.
Through Zilpah there were 16 descendants who made the trip, composed on 2 sons, 11 grandsons, 1 granddaughter and 2 great-grandsons.
Through Rachel, who was Israel's most beloved mate, there were 2 sons and 12 grandsons produced for 14 total. Finally, through Bilhah, 2 sons and 5 grandsons were produced for 7 total.
Altogether, Israel's twelve sons and one daughter, along with fifty-one grandsons, one granddaughter and four great grandsons made their home in Egypt. Technically speaking, however, there were many more who migrated from Canaan to Egypt. Any of Israel's surviving mates, the wives of his sons and grandsons, as well as any slaves, were not including in Genesis 46's counts.
A Little Confusion
The Bible throws around some numbers in regard to Israel's migration into Egypt that seem a bit confusing.
All the souls that came with Jacob (Israel) into Egypt, who came out of his loins, besides Jacob’s sons' wives, all the souls were sixty-six.
And the sons of Joseph, who were born to him in Egypt, were two souls. All the souls of the house of Jacob, who came into Egypt, were seventy (Genesis 46:26 - 27, HBFV).
How do we get both 66 and 70 descendants of Israel migrating to Egypt?
The number 66 takes into account that Joseph and his two sons were already living in Egypt and hence had already "migrated." It also doesn't count Israel himself (counting only those "out of his loins" in Canaan), leaving 66. The number 70 includes Joseph, his sons, and Jacob.
Compounding Confusion
Compounding the confusion regarding Israel's migration are the words of Stephen during his speech before Jewish religious leaders.
Then Joseph sent and called for his father Jacob, and all his kindred, being seventy-five (75) souls. And Jacob went down into Egypt; and he and our fathers died . . . (Acts 7:14 - 15, HBFV).
Stephen, a Greek-speaking Jew, was not quoting from the Hebrew version of the Old Testament. He was quoting from a Greek translation known as the Septuagint. Its version of Genesis 46:27 states 75 people of Jacob's house were in Egypt. Biblical commentaries offer various explanations to account for the discrepancy.
How Old Were They?
How old were Israel and his descendants when they made Egypt their new home?
In 1670 B.C., the year he and his family left for Egypt, Jacob was 130 years old (Genesis 47:7 - 9). Joseph, who was already in the country, was 39 with his sons Manasseh and Ephraim being between 2 and 9 years old. Israel's other sons and daughter were between 39 and 46 years old with Benjamin being the youngest at about 23.
When the migration finally happened it was four generations (Israel, his sons, his son's sons and his great grandsons) who made the long trip to Egypt!
Jacob (Israel) will ultimately live seventeen years in Egypt. He will die at the ripe old age of 147 with his sons burying him with his father Isaac and grandfather Abraham (Genesis 49:29 - 50:13).