Israel (Jacob) set out for Egypt and when he reached Beersheba he offered a sacrifice to God. Then God spoke to him in a dream and told him not to fear going to Egypt because there he would make him a great nation before bringing him back again to Canaan. However God said Joseph would be with him at his death in Egypt. So Jacob left Beersheba and went to Egypt with all his family, livestock and possessions. Jacob's descendants who went with him to Egypt were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun and their sons (these were the sons born to Leah and the total number of sons and daughters was 33). Then came Gad, Asher and their sons (who were born to Zilpah who was the handmaiden to Leah - which totalled 16 children). Then came Joseph, Benjamin and sons (totalling 14 children born to Rachel). Finally there were Dan, Naphtali and sons (totalling 7 born to Rachel's maid Bilhah). So Jacob's descendants were 66, not including his daughter-in-laws, but adding Joseph's family born in Egypt the total number of Israelites in Egypt at this time was 70. Joseph got on his chariot and rode out to meet the party and he threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time.
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