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Genesis 46:22 - Rachel's legacy: fourteen souls.

Genesis 46:22 - בראשית 46:22

Hebrew Text

אֵלֶּה בְּנֵי רָחֵל אֲשֶׁר יֻלַּד לְיַעֲקֹב כָּל־נֶפֶשׁ אַרְבָּעָה עָשָׂר׃

English Translation

These are the sons of Raĥel, who were born to Ya῾aqov: all the souls were fourteen.

Transliteration

Ele bnei Rakhel asher yulad le-Ya'akov kol-nefesh arba'a asar.

Hebrew Leining Text

אֵ֚לֶּה בְּנֵ֣י רָחֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֻלַּ֖ד לְיַעֲקֹ֑ב כׇּל־נֶ֖פֶשׁ אַרְבָּעָ֥ה עָשָֽׂר׃
אֵ֚לֶּה בְּנֵ֣י רָחֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֻלַּ֖ד לְיַעֲקֹ֑ב כׇּל־נֶ֖פֶשׁ אַרְבָּעָ֥ה עָשָֽׂר׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context in Sefer Bereishit

The verse (Bereishit 46:22) appears in the listing of Yaakov's descendants who descended to Egypt. It summarizes the children born to Rachel, Yaakov's beloved wife, emphasizing their total number as fourteen souls.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi notes that the verse counts "all the souls" as fourteen, yet only eleven individuals are named (Yosef and Binyamin, plus Yosef's two sons, Menashe and Ephraim, and Binyamin's ten sons). Rashi resolves this by explaining that Rachel herself is included in the count (as she died in childbirth with Binyamin), along with Yaakov, bringing the total to fourteen. This teaches that Rachel's legacy continued through her descendants.

Ibn Ezra's Perspective

Ibn Ezra offers a different calculation: Yosef (1), Binyamin (2), Yosef's two sons (3-4), and Binyamin's ten sons (5-14). He maintains that the count refers strictly to descendants, not including Rachel or Yaakov.

Midrashic Interpretation

The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 94:3) highlights the significance of the number fourteen, connecting it to Rachel's merit. Just as there were fourteen years between Yaakov's arrival at Lavan's house and Rachel's marriage (during which he worked for her), so too were there fourteen souls descended from her—showing divine measure-for-measure.

Halachic Insight from Rambam

While not directly commenting on this verse, Rambam (Hilchot Nachalot 2:5) derives from such listings that tribal lineage in Israel follows the mother (as Binyamin's sons are counted under Rachel). This establishes important principles of Jewish identity and inheritance laws.

Symbolic Meaning

  • Fourteen as Completion: The number fourteen (twice seven) represents spiritual completion, as Rachel's descendants would form key tribes of Israel.
  • Rachel's Legacy: Despite dying young, Rachel's offspring became numerous, fulfilling the blessing of fertility given to the matriarchs.
  • Unity Theme: Counting "all the souls" as one unit emphasizes the unity of Rachel's progeny within Klal Yisrael.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does Genesis 46:22 specify that Rachel had 14 descendants?
A: The verse counts Rachel's descendants to show her important role in building the Jewish people. According to Rashi, this includes her two sons (Yosef and Binyamin) and their children, totaling 14. It highlights how Rachel's lineage became a significant part of the 70 souls who went down to Egypt (Genesis 46:27).
Q: Why does the Torah mention Rachel's children separately in Genesis 46:22?
A: Rachel was Yaakov's primary wife (as stated in Genesis 29:30), and her children held special importance. Yosef became a leader in Egypt, and Binyamin was the only son born in Israel. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah) teaches that Rachel's merit was great, and her descendants played key roles in Jewish history.
Q: What is the significance of counting 'souls' in Genesis 46:22?
A: The Torah counts each individual ('nefesh') to emphasize that every person matters. Ramban explains that listing Rachel's 14 descendants shows how a small family grew into a nation. This connects to the Jewish concept that every soul contributes to the Jewish people's destiny.
Q: How does Genesis 46:22 connect to the total number of 70 family members who went to Egypt?
A: This verse is part of the larger count of Yaakov's family (Genesis 46:8-27). Rachel's 14 descendants, combined with Leah's 33 and the maidservants' 23, total 70. The Talmud (Megillah 13a) sees this as the foundation of the Jewish nation in Egypt, fulfilling G-d's promise to Avraham (Genesis 15:13-14).