Genesis 46:17

And the sons of Asher; Jimnah, and Ishuah, and Isui, and Beriah, and Serah their sister: and the sons of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel.

Genesis 46:17 (KJV)

Context

This verse belongs to the family record in Genesis 46, which names the descendants of Jacob who went to Egypt during a famine. Here the list turns to Asher, one of Jacob’s twelve sons and the brother of Joseph. This genealogy is not just a list; it shows how God kept His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to make their offspring numerous.

Meaning

Asher had four sons: Jimnah, Ishuah, Isui, and Beriah. Their names mark the main branches of Asher’s tribe. The verse also names Serah, their sister, which is unusual because daughters rarely appear in such lists. Her inclusion shows that women were valued in Israel’s heritage. Beriah had two sons, Heber and Malchiel, showing that even the youngest son continued the family line. This detail helps establish the tribal divisions among Jacob’s descendants.

Biblical connections

Serah appears again in Numbers 26:46, where she is called Sarah, confirming her place among the counted descendants. This genealogy supports the later census and tribal organization of Israel. It also shows God’s faithfulness to His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to make their offspring numerous. The names and genealogies serve as a testament to God’s covenant promises, ensuring the continuation of the nation through which the Messiah would come.

Application

These names remind us that God works through ordinary families and individuals. Every person listed had a part in forming the nation through which the Messiah would come. We may not be famous, but God sees and uses each life in His plan. Even in a foreign land, God preserved and multiplied the family of Israel, showing His providential care.

Reflection

Genealogies can seem dry, but they testify to God’s care over many generations. As Jacob’s family entered a foreign land, God preserved them and multiplied them. This list encourages us to trust that God remains faithful to His promises, even when we cannot see the whole picture. It reminds us that family heritage matters in redemptive history, and that God’s plan unfolds through ordinary people.