Verse

Genesis 46:8

ESV Now these are the names of the descendants of Israel, who came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons. Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn,
NIV These are the names of the sons of Israel (Jacob and his descendants) who went to Egypt: Reuben the firstborn of Jacob.
NASB Now these are the names of the sons of Israel who went to Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn.
CSB These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt--Jacob and his sons: Jacob's firstborn: Reuben.
NLT These are the names of the descendants of Israel — the sons of Jacob — who went to Egypt: Reuben was Jacob’s oldest son.
KJV And these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn.

What does Genesis 46:8 mean?

Jacob is here called by his God-given name Israel (Genesis 35:10). He has arrived in Egypt to be reunited with Joseph and to survive the devastating famine in the land (Genesis 45:9–11). This and the following verses record the names and relationships of Jacob's sons and other descendants at this important moment. This group of 70 persons will grow to become a nation "as numerous as the stars" (Deuteronomy 10:22).

The list begins with Jacob's firstborn son Reuben, born to his wife Leah. As apparently was the case with all of those listed, Reuben was named for the circumstances of his birth (Genesis 29:32).
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