Genesis 46:1 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

GENESIS CHAPTER 46 Jacob sets out towards Egypt with his family and substance; offers saerifices at Beer-sheba; God appears to him in a vision, renewing his promises and blessing, Genesis 46:1-4. He goes to Egypt, Genesis 46:5,6. The names of the children of Israel, Genesis 46:8-27. Jacob sends Judah before him; Joseph goes to meet his father; their joy, Genesis 46:28-30. Joseph instructs his brethren what to say to Pharaoh, to declare themselves shepherds, and desire to dwell in Goshen; the reason, Genesis 46:31-34. 1706 Both in thankfulness to God for former favours, and especially for Joseph's preservation and happiness; and by way of supplication to God for his direction in this great case, whether he might leave the promised land of Canaan, and go into the idolatrous and impious land of Egypt; and for his protection and blessing, as well in his journey as in Egypt. The God of his father Isaac; whom Isaac honoured and served, and who had constantly protected and provided for Isaac, and confirmed his covenant with him. He mentions Isaac rather than Abraham, partly for Isaac's honour, to show that though Isaac was much inferior to Abraham in gifts and graces, yet God was no less Isaac's than Abraham's God, and therefore would be his God also, notwithstanding his unworthiness; and partly for his own comfort, because Isaac was Jacob's immediate parent, and had transferred the blessing of the covenant from Esau to Jacob, and the validity of that translation depended upon Isaac's interest in God.