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.
These are the sons of Leah born to Jacob in Paddan-aram
Leah was the first wife of Jacob, given to him through the deception of her father Laban. Paddan-aram, located in the region of Mesopotamia, is significant as the place where Jacob fled to escape his brother Esau's wrath and where he worked for Laban. Leah bore Jacob six sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. These sons became the heads of six of the twelve tribes of Israel, playing crucial roles in the history and development of the nation. The mention of Paddan-aram highlights the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham to make his descendants numerous, as Jacob's family began to grow significantly in this region.

in addition to his daughter Dinah
Dinah is the only daughter of Jacob mentioned by name in the Bible. Her story is notably recounted in Genesis 34, where she is involved in an incident with Shechem, a Hivite prince. This event led to significant conflict and violence, as her brothers Simeon and Levi took revenge on the city of Shechem. Dinah's inclusion here emphasizes the completeness of Leah's offspring and highlights the importance of women in biblical narratives, even when they are not as prominently featured as their male counterparts.

The total number of sons and daughters was thirty-three
This number includes Leah's six sons, her daughter Dinah, and their descendants. The count of thirty-three may seem complex, as it involves not only direct offspring but also grandchildren and possibly great-grandchildren. This enumeration underscores the rapid growth of Jacob's family, which is a testament to God's blessing and the fulfillment of His covenant promises. The number thirty-three is symbolic in biblical numerology, often associated with a complete or perfect period, reflecting the completeness of Leah's contribution to Jacob's lineage. This growth is a precursor to the formation of the nation of Israel, which would later emerge from these tribes.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Leah
The first wife of Jacob, Leah was given to Jacob through Laban's deception. She bore him six sons and one daughter, Dinah.

2. Jacob
Also known as Israel, he is the patriarch whose family is central to the account of Genesis. His journey to Egypt marks a significant moment in the history of Israel.

3. Paddan-aram
A region in Mesopotamia where Jacob lived and worked for Laban, his uncle, and where his children were born.

4. Dinah
The only daughter of Jacob and Leah mentioned in this passage, Dinah's account is significant in Genesis 34, where her encounter with Shechem leads to a violent retaliation by her brothers.

5. Thirty-three descendants
This number represents the total offspring of Leah, including her sons and daughter, highlighting the growth of Jacob's family.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Family Dynamics
Despite human manipulation and favoritism, God's plan unfolds through the family of Jacob. Leah, though less favored, becomes the mother of a significant portion of Israel's tribes.

The Importance of Legacy
The listing of Leah's descendants underscores the importance of family legacy and God's faithfulness to His promises through generations.

God's Use of Imperfect People
Leah's account reminds us that God often works through those who are overlooked or undervalued by others, using their lives to fulfill His purposes.

Counting Our Blessings
Just as Leah's descendants are counted, we are encouraged to recognize and be grateful for the blessings and growth God brings into our lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Leah's role in Jacob's family reflect God's ability to work through less favored or overlooked individuals?

2. In what ways does the journey of Jacob's family to Egypt set the stage for the larger account of the Israelites in the Bible?

3. How can we apply the concept of legacy in our own lives, ensuring that our actions and faith impact future generations?

4. What does the inclusion of Dinah in this passage teach us about the value of each family member in God's eyes?

5. How can we find encouragement in God's faithfulness to His promises, as seen in the growth of Jacob's family, in our own life circumstances?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 29-30
These chapters detail the births of Leah's children, providing context to Genesis 46:15 and illustrating God's blessing on Leah despite her struggles for Jacob's affection.

Exodus 1:1-5
This passage lists the descendants of Jacob who went to Egypt, connecting the family of Jacob to the larger account of the Israelites' eventual enslavement and exodus.

Ruth 4:11
Leah is mentioned in the blessing given to Ruth, showing her continued significance in the lineage leading to King David and ultimately to Jesus Christ.
The Beginning of the NationR.A. Redford Genesis 46:8-27
The Catalogue of the Children of IsraelT. H. Leale.Genesis 46:8-27
People
Aram, Ard, Areli, Arodi, Asenath, Ashbel, Asher, Becher, Bela, Belah, Benjamin, Beriah, Bilhah, Canaanitish, Carmi, Dan, Dinah, Egyptians, Ehi, Elon, Enoch, Er, Eri, Ezbon, Gad, Gera, Gershon, Guni, Haggai, Haggi, Hamul, Hanoch, Heber, Hezron, Huppim, Hushim, Imnah, Isaac, Ishuah, Issachar, Isui, Jachin, Jacob, Jahleel, Jahzeel, Jahziel, Jamin, Jashub, Jemuel, Jezer, Jimnah, Job, Joseph, Kohath, Laban, Leah, Levi, Malchiel, Manasseh, Merari, Muppim, Naaman, Naphtali, Ohad, Onan, Pallu, Perez, Phallu, Pharaoh, Pharez, Phuvah, Potipherah, Puah, Rachel, Reuben, Rosh, Sarah, Saul, Serah, Sered, Shaul, Shelah, Shillem, Shimron, Shuni, Simeon, Tola, Zarah, Zebulun, Zephon, Zerah, Zilpah, Ziphion, Zohar
Places
Beersheba, Canaan, Egypt, Goshen, On, Paddan-aram
Topics
Altogether, Aram, Bare, Besides, Bore, Daughter, Daughters, Dinah, Jacob, Leah, Numbered, Padanaram, Padan-aram, Paddan, Paddan-aram, Persons, Sons, Souls, Thirty, Thirty-three
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Genesis 46:8-27

     7230   genealogies

Library
Estimate of the Scope and Value of Jerome's Writings.
General. The writings of Jerome must be estimated not merely by their intrinsic merits, but by his historical position and influence. It has already been pointed out that he stands at the close of the old Græco-Roman civilisation: the last Roman poet of any repute, Claudian, and the last Roman historian, Ammianus Marcellinus, died before him. Augustin survived him, but the other great Fathers, both in the East and in the West, had passed away before him. The sack of Rome by Alaric (410) and
St. Jerome—The Principal Works of St. Jerome

Four Shaping Centuries
'Now these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt: every man and his household came with Jacob. 2. Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, 3. Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, 4. Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. 5. And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt already. 6. And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation. 7, And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Faith of Moses.
"By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw he was a goodly child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to be evil entreated with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he looked unto the recompense of reward. By faith he forsook
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines,
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6

But in Order that we Fall not Away from Continence...
10. But in order that we fall not away from Continence, we ought to watch specially against those snares of the suggestions of the devil, that we presume not of our own strength. For, "Cursed is every one that setteth his hope in man." [1838] And who is he, but man? We cannot therefore truly say that he setteth not his hope in man, who setteth it in himself. For this also, to "live after man," what is it but to "live after the flesh?" Whoso therefore is tempted by such a suggestion, let him hear,
St. Augustine—On Continence

Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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