Verse
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Genesis 46:18
ESV These are the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah his daughter; and these she bore to Jacob — sixteen persons.
NIV These were the children born to Jacob by Zilpah, whom Laban had given to his daughter Leah—sixteen in all.
NASB These are the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to his daughter Leah; and she bore to Jacob these sixteen persons.
CSB These were the sons of Zilpah—whom Laban gave to his daughter Leah—that she bore to Jacob: sixteen persons.
NLT These were the sons of Zilpah, the servant given to Leah by her father, Laban. The number of Jacob’s descendants through Zilpah was sixteen.
KJV These are the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah his daughter, and these she bare unto Jacob, even sixteen souls.
NKJV These were the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah his daughter; and these she bore to Jacob: sixteen persons.

What does Genesis 46:18 mean?

The moment Jacob's family leaves behind the Promised Land to enter Egypt warrants a listing of all his descendants up to this point (Genesis 46:1–4). This verse summarizes and counts those descendants through Jacob's servant-wife Zilpah, given to him by his wife Leah to extend her own offspring (Genesis 30:9).

Zilpah's descendants at this point in Israel's history number 16 persons, including at least one daughter. This is about half the thirty-three offspring listed as having come directly from Zilpah's mistress, Leah (Genesis 46:15).
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Context Summary
Genesis 46:8–27 pauses the story of Jacob's migration to Egypt to count his direct offspring around this time. The final tally of all Israelites, not counting the wives of the sons and grandsons, is 70. The text then resumes explaining Jacob's reunion with his son, Joseph.
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Chapter Summary
Genesis 46 includes three basic sections. First, Jacob and his large family begin their journey with all their possessions towards their new home in Egypt. Jacob stops in Beersheba and offers sacrifices to God. God responds by assuring Jacob He will continue to be with him and multiply his people. The narrative pauses to count the current descendants of Jacob, then resumes with Jacob's arrival in the Goshen region of Egypt. Joseph meets him there for an emotional reunion. Then Joseph prepares the family to meet Pharaoh.
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