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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/46-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/01_Gen_46_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 46:3 - Jacob's Journey to Egypt" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/46-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/46-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/46.htm">Chapter 46</a> > Verse 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/46-2.htm" title="Genesis 46:2">◄</a> Genesis 46:3 <a href="/genesis/46-4.htm" title="Genesis 46:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/genesis/46.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/genesis/46.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220I am God, the God of your father,&#8221 he said. &#8220Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. <a href="/nlt/genesis/46.htm">New Living Translation</a> “I am God, the God of your father,” the voice said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make your family into a great nation. <a href="/esv/genesis/46.htm">English Standard Version</a> Then he said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. <a href="/bsb/genesis/46.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “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. <a href="/kjv/genesis/46.htm">King James Bible</a> And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation: <a href="/nkjv/genesis/46.htm">New King James Version</a> So He said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there. <a href="/nasb_/genesis/46.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then He said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. <a href="/nasb/genesis/46.htm">NASB 1995</a> He said, &#8220I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you a great nation there. <a href="/nasb77/genesis/46.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And He said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you a great nation there. <a href="/lsb/genesis/46.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And He said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you a great nation there. <a href="/amp/genesis/46.htm">Amplified Bible</a> And He said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you (your descendants) a great nation there. <a href="/csb/genesis/46.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> God said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. <a href="/hcsb/genesis/46.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> God said, &#8220I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. <a href="/asv/genesis/46.htm">American Standard Version</a> And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation: <a href="/cev/genesis/46.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> God said, "I am God, the same God your father worshiped. Don't be afraid to go to Egypt. I will give you so many descendants that one day they will become a nation. <a href="/erv/genesis/46.htm">English Revised Version</a> And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation: <a href="/gwt/genesis/46.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "I am God, the God of your father," he said. "Don't be afraid to go to Egypt, because I will make you a great nation there. <a href="/gnt/genesis/46.htm">Good News Translation</a> "I am God, the God of your father," he said. "Do not be afraid to go to Egypt; I will make your descendants a great nation there. <a href="/isv/genesis/46.htm">International Standard Version</a> "I'm God, your father's God. Don't be afraid to move down to Egypt, because I'm going to turn you into a mighty nation there. <a href="/msb/genesis/46.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?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. <a href="/net/genesis/46.htm">NET Bible</a> He said, "I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. <a href="/nheb/genesis/46.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> He said, "I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. <a href="/wbt/genesis/46.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation: <a href="/web/genesis/46.htm">World English Bible</a> He said, “I am God, the God of your father. Don’t be afraid to go down into Egypt, for there I will make of you a great nation. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/46.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And He says, “I [am] God, God of your father, do not be afraid of going down to Egypt, for I set you there for a great nation; <a href="/ylt/genesis/46.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And He saith, 'I am God, God of thy father, be not afraid of going down to Egypt, for for a great nation I set thee there; <a href="/slt/genesis/46.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he will say, I am God, the God of thy father: thou shalt not fear going down to Egypt; for I will there make thee into a great nation.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/46.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> God said to him: I am the most mighty God of thy father: fear not, go down into Egypt, for I will make a great nation of thee there. <a href="/cpdv/genesis/46.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> God said to him: “I am the most strong God of your father. Do not be afraid. Descend into Egypt, for there I will make of you a great nation. <a href="/nabre/genesis/46.htm">New American Bible</a> Then he said: I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you a great nation. <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/46.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Then he said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/46.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Then he said to him. I am El, the God of your father; fear not to go down to Egypt; for I will there make of you a great people; <a href="/hpbt/genesis/46.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And he said to him, “I AM Eil, the God of your father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, because I shall make you there a great people:<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/46.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And He said: 'I am God, the God of thy father; fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation. <a href="/sep/genesis/46.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And he says to him, I am the God of thy fathers; fear not to go down into Egypt, for I will make thee there a great nation. <a href="/parallel/genesis/46-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=11960" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/genesis/46.htm">Jacob's Journey to Egypt</a> …2And that night God spoke to Israel in a vision: “Jacob, Jacob!” He said. “Here I am,” replied Jacob. 3<a href="/hebrew/595.htm" title="595: ’ā·nō·ḵî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Sometimes; a primitive pro. I.">“I</a> <a href="/hebrew/410.htm" title="410: hā·’êl (Art:: N-ms) -- God, in pl. gods. Shortened from 'ayil; strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty.">am God,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">He said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hê (N-mpc) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">“the God</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ā·ḇî·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">of your father.</a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3372.htm" title="3372: tî·rā (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten. A primitive root; to fear; morally, to revere; caus. To frighten.">be afraid</a> <a href="/hebrew/3381.htm" title="3381: mê·rə·ḏāh (Prep-m:: V-Qal-Inf:: 3fs) -- To come or go down, descend. ">to go down</a> <a href="/hebrew/4714.htm" title="4714: miṣ·ray·māh (N-proper-fs:: 3fs) -- A son of Ham, also his desc. and their country in N.W. Africa. Dual of matsowr; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt.">to Egypt,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/7760.htm" title="7760: ’ă·śî·mə·ḵā (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs:: 2ms) -- To put, place, set. Or siym; a primitive root; to put.">I will make</a> <a href="/hebrew/1419.htm" title="1419: gā·ḏō·wl (Adj-ms) -- Great. Or gadol; from gadal; great; hence, older; also insolent.">you into a great</a> <a href="/hebrew/1471.htm" title="1471: lə·ḡō·w (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Rarely goy; apparently from the same root as gevah; a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts.">nation</a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: šām (Adv) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence.">there.</a> 4I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will surely bring you back. And Joseph’s own hands will close your eyes.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/exodus/3-6.htm">Exodus 3:6</a> Then He said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. <a href="/genesis/15-1.htm">Genesis 15:1</a> After these events, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” <a href="/genesis/28-13.htm">Genesis 28:13-15</a> And there at the top the LORD was standing and saying, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you now lie. / Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and east and north and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. / Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” <a href="/genesis/26-24.htm">Genesis 26:24</a> and that night the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for the sake of My servant Abraham.” <a href="/genesis/12-2.htm">Genesis 12:2</a> I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. <a href="/genesis/35-11.htm">Genesis 35:11</a> And God told him, “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation—even a company of nations—shall come from you, and kings shall descend from you. <a href="/isaiah/41-10.htm">Isaiah 41:10</a> Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. <a href="/isaiah/43-5.htm">Isaiah 43:5</a> Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east and gather you from the west. <a href="/exodus/1-7.htm">Exodus 1:7</a> but the Israelites were fruitful and increased rapidly; they multiplied and became exceedingly numerous, so that the land was filled with them. <a href="/exodus/6-6.htm">Exodus 6:6-8</a> Therefore tell the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians and deliver you from their bondage. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. / I will take you as My own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. / And I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the LORD!’” <a href="/deuteronomy/31-6.htm">Deuteronomy 31:6</a> Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” <a href="/joshua/1-9.htm">Joshua 1:9</a> Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” <a href="/psalms/105-23.htm">Psalm 105:23-24</a> Then Israel entered Egypt; Jacob dwelt in the land of Ham. / And the LORD made His people very fruitful, more numerous than their foes, <a href="/acts/7-9.htm">Acts 7:9-15</a> Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him / and rescued him from all his troubles. He granted Joseph favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and all his household. / Then famine and great suffering swept across Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers could not find food. ... <a href="/hebrews/11-9.htm">Hebrews 11:9-10</a> By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. / For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And he said, I am God, the God of your father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of you a great nation:the God.<a href="/genesis/28-13.htm">Genesis 28:13</a> And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;fear not.<a href="/genesis/15-1.htm">Genesis 15:1,13</a> After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward… <a href="/genesis/26-2.htm">Genesis 26:2,3</a> And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of: … <a href="/isaiah/41-10.htm">Isaiah 41:10</a> Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.I will.<a href="/genesis/12-2.htm">Genesis 12:2</a> And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:<a href="/genesis/13-15.htm">Genesis 13:15,16</a> For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever… <a href="/genesis/18-18.htm">Genesis 18:18</a> Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/43-23.htm">Afraid</a> <a href="/genesis/45-26.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/genesis/45-15.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/genesis/45-7.htm">Great</a> <a href="/genesis/35-11.htm">Nation</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/50-19.htm">Afraid</a> <a href="/genesis/46-4.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/genesis/50-19.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/genesis/47-20.htm">Great</a> <a href="/genesis/48-16.htm">Nation</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 46</div>1. <a href="/genesis/46-1.htm">Jacob is comforted by God at Beersheba.</a> 5. <a href="/genesis/46-5.htm">Thence he with his company goes into Egypt.</a> 8. <a href="/genesis/46-8.htm">The number of his family that went into Egypt.</a> 28. <a href="/genesis/46-28.htm">Joseph meets Jacob.</a> 31. <a href="/genesis/46-31.htm">He instructs his brothers how to answer Pharaoh.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/46.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/46.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>“I am God,” He said, This declaration establishes the speaker's divine authority and identity. It echoes God's self-revelation to the patriarchs, such as in <a href="/genesis/17.htm">Genesis 17:1</a> when God introduces Himself to Abraham. This phrase underscores the continuity of God's covenant relationship with the patriarchs and their descendants.“the God of your father.” This phrase connects Jacob to the covenantal promises given to his forefathers, Abraham and Isaac. It reassures Jacob of the continuity of God's promises and faithfulness. The reference to "your father" emphasizes the familial and covenantal lineage, highlighting the importance of generational faithfulness and God's unchanging nature.Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, This command addresses Jacob's potential fears about leaving the Promised Land. Historically, Egypt was a place of both refuge and danger for the Israelites. The directive not to fear suggests divine protection and purpose in this move. It also foreshadows the Israelites' eventual enslavement and exodus, a pivotal event in their history.for I will make you into a great nation there. This promise reiterates the Abrahamic covenant found in <a href="/genesis/12-2.htm">Genesis 12:2</a>, where God promises to make Abraham's descendants a great nation. The location "there" indicates that God's plans and blessings are not confined to the land of Canaan. This phrase also prefigures the growth of Israel during their time in Egypt, setting the stage for the Exodus and the fulfillment of God's promises.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> The speaker in this verse, affirming His identity and authority as the God of Jacob's father, Isaac, and grandfather, Abraham. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob (Israel)</a> The recipient of God's message, who is being reassured as he prepares to move his family to Egypt. 3. <a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a> The destination where Jacob and his family are headed, a place of future growth and eventual enslavement for the Israelites. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_great_nation.htm">The Great Nation</a> Refers to the promise that Jacob's descendants will become a populous and influential people, fulfilling God's covenant with Abraham. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_covenant.htm">The Covenant</a> The ongoing fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to make their descendants a great nation.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_promises.htm">Trust in God's Promises</a> Just as God reassured Jacob, believers today can trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem uncertain or daunting. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_unfamiliar_places.htm">God's Sovereignty in Unfamiliar Places</a> God can use unexpected or challenging situations (like moving to Egypt) to fulfill His purposes. Believers should remain open to God's leading, even when it leads to unfamiliar territory. <a href="/topical/f/fear_and_faith.htm">Fear and Faith</a> God addresses Jacob's fear directly, encouraging him to move forward in faith. This teaches us that God understands our fears and provides assurance to help us overcome them. <a href="/topical/g/generational_faithfulness.htm">Generational Faithfulness</a> The reference to "the God of your father" emphasizes the importance of passing down faith and trust in God through generations. <a href="/topical/g/god's_timing.htm">God's Timing</a> The promise of becoming a great nation was not immediate but required patience and trust in God's perfect timing.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_46.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 46</a> <a href="/q/could_jacob's_household_migrate_to_egypt_easily.htm">How historically plausible is it that the entire household of Jacob (Genesis 46:6–7) could migrate to Egypt with no mention of the logistical or political challenges involved? </a> <a href="/q/isaiah_46_9__how_is_'no_other_god'_true.htm">Isaiah 46:9: How can we reconcile the claim that there is 'no other God' with the clear presence and worship of many deities in ancient Near Eastern culture?</a> <a href="/q/why_delay_the_law_after_abraham's_covenant.htm">If Galatians 3:19 says the Law was added because of transgressions, why did God wait so long to provide it after Abraham's covenant?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'tarry'_mean.htm">What does Exodus 15:2 signify about God's role?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/46.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) I am God, the God of thy father.--Heb., I am the El, the Elohim of thy father. This is the last revelation given to Jacob, nor is any other supernatural event recorded until the vision of the burning bush (<a href="/exodus/3-4.htm" title="And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the middle of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.">Exodus 3:4</a>). It is brief, clear, and decisive, and every clause is weighty. Jacob is to migrate into Egypt, his race is to grow there into a nation, so that the stay there would be long; God's presence and blessing will accompany and remain with them, and finally will bring them back to the promised land. For himself, too, there is the promise that Joseph will tend his sick bed and be with him at his death.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/46.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - And he said, I am God, the God of thy father - literally, I am the El (the Mighty One), the Elohim of thy father. Though in consequence of this phrase the section (vers. 1-7), indeed the entire chapter, is usually assigned to the Elohist (Tuch, Bleek, Vaihinger), yet the contents of this theophany are felt to be so substantially Jehovistic in their import (Hengstenberg), that certain critics have been constrained to give verses 1-5 to the Jehovist (Colenso), or, omitting the last clause of ver. 5, to the redactor (Davidson). In <a href="/genesis/28-13.htm">Genesis 28:13</a> the designation used is "I am Jehovah, the God of Abraham thy father." As on that former occasion when setting out for Padanaram, so now, when departing for Egypt, he receives a comforting assurance. Fear not to go down into Egypt. Them was reason for Jacob's apprehensions, since Abraham had been in peril in the land of the Pharaohs (<a href="/genesis/12-14.htm">Genesis 12:14-20</a>), Isaac had been forbidden to go thither (<a href="/genesis/26-2.htm">Genesis 26:2</a>), and Egypt had been foreshadowed as a place of servitude for his descendants (<a href="/genesis/15-13.htm">Genesis 15:13</a>). מֵרְדָה is an irregular infinitive רֵדָה for רֶדֶת (cf. דֵּעַה for דַּעַת, <a href="/exodus/2-4.htm">Exodus 2:4</a>), with מִן. prefixed after a verb of fearing (vide Ewald's 'Hebrews Synt.,' § 336). For I will there make of thee a great nation - literally, for to a great nation will I put thee there (cf. <a href="/genesis/21-13.htm">Genesis 21:13</a>). Jacob had previously received the injunction, accompanied by the Divine benediction, to be fruitful and multiply (<a href="/genesis/28-3.htm">Genesis 28:3</a>). Twice over had it previously been predicted that he should develop into a multitudinous people (<a href="/genesis/28-14.htm">Genesis 28:14</a>; <a href="/genesis/35-11.htm">Genesis 35:11</a>). The present promise was an indication that the fulfillment of the prophecy was at band. <a href="/commentaries/genesis/46-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>“I אָנֹכִ֥י (’ā·nō·ḵî) Pronoun - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_595.htm">Strong's 595: </a> I am God,” הָאֵ֖ל (hā·’êl) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_410.htm">Strong's 410: </a> Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty He said, וַיֹּ֕אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “the God אֱלֹהֵ֣י (’ĕ·lō·hê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative of your father. אָבִ֑יךָ (’ā·ḇî·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> Father Do not אַל־ (’al-) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> Not be afraid תִּירָא֙ (tî·rā) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3372.htm">Strong's 3372: </a> To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten to go down מֵרְדָ֣ה (mê·rə·ḏāh) Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3381.htm">Strong's 3381: </a> To come or go down, descend to Egypt, מִצְרַ֔יְמָה (miṣ·ray·māh) Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4714.htm">Strong's 4714: </a> Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa for כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction I will make אֲשִֽׂימְךָ֥ (’ă·śî·mə·ḵā) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7760.htm">Strong's 7760: </a> Put -- to put, place, set you into a great גָּד֖וֹל (gā·ḏō·wl) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1419.htm">Strong's 1419: </a> Great, older, insolent nation לְג֥וֹי (lə·ḡō·w) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1471.htm">Strong's 1471: </a> A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts there. שָֽׁם׃ (šām) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8033.htm">Strong's 8033: </a> There, then, thither <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/46-3.htm">Genesis 46:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/46-3.htm">Genesis 46:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/46-3.htm">Genesis 46:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/46-3.htm">Genesis 46:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/46-3.htm">Genesis 46:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/46-3.htm">Genesis 46:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/46-3.htm">Genesis 46:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/46-3.htm">Genesis 46:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/46-3.htm">Genesis 46:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/46-3.htm">Genesis 46:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/46-3.htm">OT Law: Genesis 46:3 He said I am God the God (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/46-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 46:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 46:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/46-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 46:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 46:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>