Here we find a listing of Jacob’s descendants, sons, grandsons, daughters, all traveling together. Each name carries memory and legacy. It’s more than a census; it’s a woven tapestry of a nation-in-the-making.  Israel is the new name that God gave to Jacob. We call the descendants of Jacob ‘Israelites.’ Jacob’s 12 sons became the ancestors of the 12 tribes of Israel. Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, born in Egypt, are counted too. Totaling 70 people, a symbolic fullness of Jacob’s household entering Egypt. It’s as if the entire promise of God, packed into a moving caravan, is rolling across the desert into destiny.

It reads in Genesis 46: 5–27 Easy: Then Jacob left Beersheba and he continued to travel. Jacob’s sons took their father as well as their wives and children. They rode in the carts that Pharaoh had sent to take them to Egypt. They also took all their animals and everything that they had got in Canaan. In that way, Jacob and all his family went to Egypt. He took his sons and his grandsons, his daughters and granddaughters. He took all his family with him to Egypt. These are the names of the descendants of Israel who went to Egypt, (that is, the sons of Jacob): Reuben was the firstborn son of Jacob. The sons of Reuben: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron and Carmi. The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jakin, Zohar and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman.The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari. The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez and Zerah. Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. The sons of Perez were Hezron and Hamul.The sons of Issachar: Tola, Puah, Jashub and Shimron. The sons of Zebulun: Sered, Elon and Jahleel. These were the sons that Leah gave birth to in Paddan Aram. Jacob was their father. Leah also gave birth to a daughter, Dinah. These sons and daughters of Jacob were 33 in all.The sons of Gad: Zephon, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi and Areli.The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi and Beriah. Their sister was Serah. The sons of Beriah were Heber and Malkiel.These were the children that Zilpah gave birth to. Jacob was their father. Leah gave Zilpah to Jacob as a wife. There were 16 children in all. The sons of Jacob’s wife Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin.Manasseh and Ephraim were born to Joseph in Egypt. Their mother was Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim and Ard. These were the sons of Rachel, born to Jacob. There were 14 in all.The son of Dan: Hushim.The sons of Naphtali: Jahziel, Guni, Jezer and Shillem. These were the sons that Bilhah gave birth to. She was Rachel’s servant that Laban gave to her. Bilhah gave birth to these sons for Jacob. There were seven in all. Jacob’s descendants who went with him to Egypt were 66. That does not include his son’s wives. Joseph had two sons that were born in Egypt. So there were 70 people of Jacob’s family who were there in Egypt.

Father God, of all generations, You, have gathered a people by name and promise, leading Israel and watching over each journey. May I walk with reverence as they did, leaving a legacy of worship through time. Bless my family, those present and remembered and guide us in faithful moments. As we face the unknown, remind me You are always with us, guiding our path, protecting us and holding our future. All is in Your hands! Thank You for the gift of family. Love You, thank You, praise You and give You all the honor and glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.