How many people were in Jacob’s family in Egypt? (Genesis 46:27 vs. Acts 7:14) I. Introduction to the Question The passage in Genesis 46:27 reads, “And along with Joseph’s two sons who were born to him in Egypt, the members of Jacob’s family who went to Egypt were seventy in all.” Yet in Acts 7:14, Stephen declares, “Then Joseph sent for his father Jacob and all his relatives, seventy-five in all.” These two numbers—70 and 75—may appear contradictory at first. The following sections explore the context, textual transmission, and commonly proposed resolutions that uphold the consistency of Scripture. II. Old Testament Record: Genesis 46:27 “(…) the members of Jacob’s family who went to Egypt were seventy in all.” 1. Context in Genesis 46 • This passage describes Jacob’s journey to Egypt during a severe famine. • The immediate count focuses on those who made the physical journey into Egypt. • The listing in Genesis 46:8–26 catalogs Jacob’s sons and grandsons, then concludes with a total number. 2. Breakdown of the Seventy • Genesis 46:26 indicates 66 persons who were direct descendants of Jacob (excluding Joseph and his sons, who were already in Egypt). • Adding Joseph and his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, brings the total to 69. • Because Scripture often includes Jacob himself in the final count, it reaches 70. III. New Testament Record: Acts 7:14 “Then Joseph sent for his father Jacob and all his relatives, seventy-five in all.” 1. Context in Acts 7 • Stephen’s speech addresses various stages in Israel’s history. • He utilizes details found in the Old Testament to make theological points about God’s ongoing work. • The statement of 75 (rather than 70) often sparks discussion about textual sources. 2. Relevance of the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) • The Greek translation of the Old Testament, known as the Septuagint (LXX), typically amplifies the listing of Jacob’s descendants to 75. • Stephen, being in a Hellenistic environment, likely drew from this Greek textual tradition. IV. Textual Background and Manuscript Traditions 1. The Masoretic Text Tradition • The Hebrew Masoretic Text underlies most English Old Testament translations. • In Genesis 46:27, this tradition presents 70 as the total. 2. The Septuagint Tradition • Ancient Jewish scholars in Alexandria translated the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek centuries before Stephen’s time. • In its rendering of Genesis 46:27 (and related passages such as Exodus 1:5), the Septuagint often includes additional descendants of Joseph, totaling 75. 3. Counting Additional Descendants • Some Septuagint manuscripts list five more children or grandchildren of Ephraim and Manasseh, which accounts for the number 75. • The difference arises not from a contradiction but from whether a set of Joseph’s descendants are tallied in the total. V. Resolving the Numerical Figures 1. Perspective of Inclusion or Exclusion • The Genesis account, aligned with the Masoretic Text, focuses on those who went down to Egypt or were already there (Joseph and his two sons), plus Jacob, totaling 70. • Stephen’s speech, drawing from a Greek tradition (Septuagint), broadens the list to include additional kin in Joseph’s line. 2. No Contradiction, but Different Counts • The slight variation comes from whether or not extra descendants of Joseph are reckoned in the total. • Acts 7:14 does not dismiss the 70 of Genesis; it simply uses a variant reading that acknowledges five more descendants known to some Jewish communities. 3. Illustration from Other Biblical Genealogies • Scripture genealogies often adapt details depending on audience, purpose, and covenantal context. • For example, variations in genealogical listings between Kings and Chronicles are well-documented without undermining the text’s reliability. VI. Broader Interpretations and Consistency of Scripture 1. Unified Understanding • Readers can confidently affirm that Genesis 46:27’s 70 refers to the immediate, more direct group. • Stephen’s mention of 75 in Acts 7:14 expands that scope based on an alternate textual tradition. 2. Historicity and Reliability • Both numbers come from ancient manuscript traditions with strong textual support. • Archaeological and manuscript evidence show that variants like these are minor. They do not alter core doctrines but highlight that God’s Word has been transmitted faithfully through multiple traditions. 3. Theological Significance • Regardless of 70 or 75, the central theme is God fulfilling His promise to preserve and grow the family of Israel. • The patriarchal narrative and Stephen’s speech both celebrate God’s providence and sovereignty. VII. Conclusion Scripture consistently records Jacob’s family arriving in Egypt. Genesis 46:27 gives the specific total of 70, focusing on those who physically journeyed plus Joseph and his two sons already in Egypt. Acts 7:14, rooted in the Septuagint tradition, enumerates additional descendants, arriving at 75. This underscores the faithfulness of the biblical text in transmitting ancestral details through different manuscript lines. Both figures emphasize that God’s covenant family would grow from a modest band of people sheltered in Egypt into the mighty nation He promised. |
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