Who Were the Members of Jacob’s Household That Moved to Egypt?
The migration of Jacob’s household from Canaan to Egypt is a major turning point in the Book of Genesis. This move transformed the family of Israel from a small clan into a nation. Genesis 46 provides a detailed list of the people who traveled with Jacob, counting 70 persons in total (sometimes listed as 66 plus Joseph and his sons already in Egypt, and Jacob himself).
Below is a comprehensive breakdown of those family members according to the biblical record.
1. Jacob, the Patriarch
At the head of the household was Jacob (Israel) himself, obeying God’s command to go to Egypt and reunite with Joseph. His presence affirmed the continuity of God’s covenant promises.
2. Leah’s Descendants (33 Persons)
Leah, Jacob’s first wife, bore many of his children. Her descendants formed the largest group.
Sons of Leah
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Reuben
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Simeon
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Levi
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Judah
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Issachar
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Zebulun
Children and Grandchildren of Leah
Reuben’s sons:
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Hanoch
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Pallu
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Hezron
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Carmi
Simeon’s sons:
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Jemuel
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Jamin
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Ohad
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Jakin
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Zohar
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Shaul (born to a Canaanite woman)
Levi’s sons:
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Gershon
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Kohath
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Merari
Judah’s sons (excluding Er and Onan who died in Canaan):
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Shelah
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Perez
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Zerah
Sons of Perez:
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Hezron
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Hamul
Issachar’s sons:
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Tola
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Puah
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Jashub
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Shimron
Zebulun’s sons:
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Sered
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Elon
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Jahleel
Thus, Leah’s family totaled 33 including her daughter Dinah.
3. Zilpah’s Descendants (16 Persons)
Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid, also bore children for Jacob.
Sons of Zilpah
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Gad
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Asher
Gad’s sons:
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Zephon
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Haggi
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Shuni
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Ezbon
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Eri
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Arodi
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Areli
Asher’s sons:
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Imnah
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Ishvah
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Ishvi
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Beriah
Sons of Beriah:
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Heber
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Malchiel
Asher’s daughter:
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Serah (explicitly mentioned)
Total from Zilpah: 16 persons.
4. Rachel’s Descendants (14 Persons)
Rachel was Jacob’s beloved wife and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin.
Sons of Rachel
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Joseph
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Benjamin
Joseph was already in Egypt, but his family is included in the overall count:
Joseph’s sons (born in Egypt):
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Manasseh
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Ephraim
Benjamin’s sons (10 in total):
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Bela
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Becher
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Ashbel
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Gera
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Naaman
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Ehi
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Rosh
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Muppim
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Huppim
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Ard
Total descendants from Rachel: 14 persons.
5. Bilhah’s Descendants (7 Persons)
Bilhah was Rachel’s handmaid and bore two sons for Jacob.
Sons of Bilhah
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Dan
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Naphtali
Dan’s son:
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Hushim
Naphtali’s sons:
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Jahzeel
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Guni
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Jezer
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Shillem
Total from Bilhah: 7 persons.
6. Overall Count of Jacob’s Household
Genesis records the following figures:
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66 persons who traveled to Egypt directly from Canaan
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Plus Joseph already in Egypt
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Plus Joseph’s two sons
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Plus Jacob
This brings the total to 70 members of Jacob’s household.
Significance of the Number 70
The number 70 is symbolic in biblical tradition:
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It represents fullness, completeness, and the beginning of a nation.
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From this small family, God would fulfill His promise to multiply Israel into a great people.
This move to Egypt laid the foundation for the growth, trials, and eventual deliverance of the Israelites in the Exodus narrative.
Conclusion
The members of Jacob’s household who moved to Egypt included his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren—70 people in all. Genesis 46 carefully lists each family line, demonstrating the emerging structure of the tribes of Israel. Their journey signified not only a physical relocation but the unfolding of God’s covenant plan, turning a family into a nation.