Genesis 46 in the early church

71 passages quote, allude to, or echo Genesis 46, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.

Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 11 · 12 · 15 · 20 · 25 · 26 · 27 · 28 · 29 · 30 · 31 · 32 · 33 · 34

Genesis 46:1

So Israel set out with all that he had, and when he came to Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 46:1On Jacob and the Happy Life 2.36 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-390
Gen 46:1On Joseph 80 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-390
Gen 46:1On Joseph 81 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 387-390
Gen 46:1–34Genesis, lines 1424–1447 · Cyprianus Gallusallusion, high confidenceearly 5th cent.
Gen 46:1–4Part 1, chapter 32 · Quodvultdeus of Carthagequotation, high confidenceca. 445-450

Genesis 46:2

And that night God spoke to Israel in a vision: “Jacob, Jacob!” He said. “Here I am,” replied Jacob.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 46:2On Joseph 82 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-390

Genesis 46:3

“I am God,” He said, “the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 46:3The Instructor 1.7.57 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 190–200
Gen 46:3Against Heresies 3.21.3 · Irenaeus of Lyonsallusion, medium confidenceca. 180–190
Gen 46:3Fragments on Genesis, column 139 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Gen 46:3–4Homilies on Numbers 24.3 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Gen 46:3Prophetic Extracts 1.7 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)
Gen 46:3On Joseph 82 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-390

Genesis 46:4

I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will surely bring you back. And Joseph’s own hands will close your eyes.”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 46:4Fragments on Genesis, column 139 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Gen 46:4Homilies on Numbers 27.6 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Gen 46:4On the Decrees of Nicaea 7 · Athanasius of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 350–356
Gen 46:4On Jacob and the Happy Life 2.38 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-390
Gen 46:4On Joseph 82 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-390
Gen 46:4On Joseph 83 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-390

Genesis 46:5

Then Jacob departed from Beersheba, and the sons of Israel took their father Jacob in the wagons Pharaoh had sent to carry him, along with their children and wives.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 46:5Fragments on Genesis, column 139 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Gen 46:5Poem 24, lines 827–858 · Paulinus of Nolaallusion, medium confidenceca. 393–431

Genesis 46:6

They also took the livestock and possessions they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and Jacob and all his offspring went to Egypt.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 46:6Fragments on Genesis, column 139 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Gen 46:6Divine Institutes 7.15.1 · Lactantiusallusion, high confidenceca. 303–311
Gen 46:6Preparation for the Gospel 9.23.3 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, medium confidenceca. 313–324
Gen 46:6On the Destruction of Jerusalem 5.15 · Anonymousallusion, high confidenceca. 370
Gen 46:6Homilies on Matthew 8.4 · John Chrysostomallusion, high confidenceca. 390

Genesis 46:7

Jacob took with him to Egypt his sons and grandsons, and his daughters and granddaughters—all his offspring.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 46:7Fragments on Genesis, column 141 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254

Genesis 46:8

Now these are the names of the sons of Israel (Jacob and his descendants) who went to Egypt: Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 46:8Fragments on Genesis, column 141 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Gen 46:8–27City of God 16.40 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidence413–426
Gen 46:8City of God 16.40 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidence413–426

Genesis 46:11

The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 46:11Refutation of All Heresies 10.30.3 · Hippolytus of Romeallusion, high confidenceca. 222–235

Genesis 46:12

The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah; but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. The sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 46:12Fragments on Genesis, column 139 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254

Genesis 46:15

These are the sons of Leah born to Jacob in Paddan-aram, in addition to his daughter Dinah. The total number of sons and daughters was thirty-three.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 46:15Fragments on Genesis, column 141 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254

Genesis 46:20

Manasseh and Ephraim were born to Joseph in the land of Egypt by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 46:20Fragments on Genesis, column 141 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254

Genesis 46:25

These are the sons of Jacob born to Bilhah, whom Laban gave to his daughter Rachel—seven in all.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 46:25Exposition of Psalm 118 4.7.2 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397

Genesis 46:26

All those belonging to Jacob who came to Egypt—his direct descendants, besides the wives of Jacob’s sons—numbered sixty-six persons.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 46:26Homilies on the Psalms 44.4 · Basil of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 360-378
Gen 46:26Letter 22.11 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Gen 46:26Exposition of Psalm 118 4.7.2 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Gen 46:26Letter 190.18 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 386–430
Gen 46:26Letter 190.19 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 386–430

Genesis 46:27

And with the two sons who had been born to Joseph in Egypt, the members of Jacob’s family who went to Egypt were seventy in all.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 46:27Miscellanies 1.21.142 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203
Gen 46:27On First Principles 4.3.11 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220–230 (Rufinus's translation 398)
Gen 46:27Homilies on Exodus 1.3 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Gen 46:27Homilies 18.4 · Anonymousecho, medium confidence4th century (reworking earlier material)
Gen 46:27Recognitions 1.34 · Anonymousallusion, medium confidenceGreek original 3rd–4th century; Rufinus's Latin translation before 407
Gen 46:27Preparation for the Gospel 9.28.1 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324
Gen 46:27Letter 189 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, medium confidenceca. 360–390
Gen 46:27Ancoratus 59.2 · Epiphanius of Salamisallusion, medium confidence374
Gen 46:27Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 4.2.1 · Epiphanius of Salamisallusion, high confidence374-377
Gen 46:27Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 8.4.5 · Epiphanius of Salamisallusion, high confidence374-377
Gen 46:27Letter 95.8 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 386–430
Gen 46:27Hexameron (Exameron) 6.46 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-390
Gen 46:27On Joseph 84 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 387-390
Gen 46:27Explanation of Twelve Psalms 40.11.1 · Ambroseallusion, medium confidenceca. 387-397
Gen 46:27On Continence 11 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidenceca. 395
Gen 46:27On the Trinity 7.4 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 399–419
Gen 46:27City of God 14.4 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidence413–426
Gen 46:27Part 1, chapter 32 · Quodvultdeus of Carthageallusion, high confidenceca. 445-450

Genesis 46:28

Now Jacob had sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to get directions to Goshen. When Jacob’s family arrived in the land of Goshen,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 46:28–29Pilgrimage (Itinerarium) 7.7 · Egeriaallusion, high confidenceca. 381-395
Gen 46:28On Joseph 84 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 387-390

Genesis 46:29

Joseph prepared his chariot and went there to meet his father Israel. Joseph presented himself to him, embraced him, and wept profusely.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 46:29Catechetical Lecture 16.30 · Cyril of Jerusalemallusion, high confidenceca. 350
Gen 46:29Exposition of Psalm 118 18.23.2 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-397
Gen 46:29On Joseph 84 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 387-390
Gen 46:29–30Part 1, chapter 32 · Quodvultdeus of Carthagequotation, high confidenceca. 445-450

Genesis 46:30

Then Israel said to Joseph, “Finally I can die, now that I have seen your face and know that you are still alive!”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 46:30Fragments on Genesis, column 141 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254

Genesis 46:31

Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “I will go up and inform Pharaoh: ‘My brothers and my father’s household from the land of Canaan have come to me.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 46:31–34Demonstration 15.3 · Aphrahatquotation, high confidence337-345

Genesis 46:32

The men are shepherds; they raise livestock, and they have brought their flocks and herds and all that they own.’

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 46:32On the Work of Monks 14 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidenceca. 400–401

Genesis 46:33

When Pharaoh summons you and asks, ‘What is your occupation?’

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 46:33Preparation for the Gospel 9.21.13 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324

Genesis 46:34

you are to say, ‘Your servants have raised livestock ever since our youth—both we and our fathers.’ Then you will be allowed to settle in the land of Goshen, since all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians.”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 46:34To Autolycus 3.21 · Theophilus of Antiochallusion, medium confidenceca. 180–185
Gen 46:34Fragments on Genesis, column 141 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Gen 46:34Preparation for the Gospel 9.21.13 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324
Gen 46:34On Cain and Abel 1.24 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 375-378