Answer to: Does the different numbers for Jacob's family in Genesis and in Acts prove that the Bible has errors?
This is another one that critics like to point to try to discredit the Bible. However, they do not have a case. The different numbers are actually in perfect agreement. Here are the verses in question.
Gen 46:26 All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, which came out of his loins, besides Jacob's sons' wives, all the souls [were] threescore and six;
Gen 46:27 And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, [were] two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, [were] threescore and ten.
Act 7:14 Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to [him], and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls.
Here we have three different numbers. 66, 70, and 75. Does this mean that the Bible is in error? No.
We first have a listing of all those that came out of his loins that came with Jacob into Egypt. That number is 66.
Then we are told that all the souls of his house that came to Egypt were 70. The difference is not a mistake. Joseph and his two sons were already in Egypt so they did not make the trip, and Jacob was of his house but did not come out of his own loins so he is not included in the number of 66. Jacob was the head of the house so he is part of the house. So 66 + 3 +1 = 70. When you look at exactly what the numbers are for, you find they are in complete agreement.
Now before we go look at the number in the book of Acts I want you to pay attention to the phrase the souls of the house of Jacob. This is not talking about a house that you live in. It is talking about those born to him. Verse 26, “which came out of his loins.” And notice the exclusion made in verse 26. “besides Jacob’s sons’ wives”. The wives are part of the family but they did not come out of Jacob’s loins so they are not included in the term house of Jacob and therefore they are not included in the number of 66.
Act 7:14 Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to [him], and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls.
In Acts 7:14 says that there was 75 kindred. There is no conflict between the two. Notice carefully the difference. In Genesis it is talking about how many came out of his loins and in Acts it is talking about his family. The difference is his son’s wives who are in his family but they did not come out of his loins. The wives are kindred but not included in the number counted in Genesis.
Once again when you look at exactly what is being said, you find that there is no conflict in the numbers.
This Bible has been attacked for about 400 years and yet it still stands.
So how many wives went with to Egypt.
75 – 66 - 1 = 8
11 brothers came down to Egypt so 3 at that time were unmarried.
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