Génesis 46:32

32 Le diré que ustedes son pastores que cuidan ganado, y que han traído sus ovejas y sus vacas, y todo cuanto tenían.

Génesis 46:32 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 46:32

And the men [are] shepherds
That was their occupation and employment, by which they got their livelihood. Joseph was not ashamed of the business his father and brethren followed, even though mean; and besides, such men were an abomination to the Egyptians: this he thought proper to tell Pharaoh, lest he should think of putting them into some offices of the court or army, which would expose them to the envy of the Egyptians, and might endanger the corruption of their religion and manners, as well as be the means of separating them one from another, which he was careful to guard against, as Josephus ^F2 the historian suggests:

for their trade hath been to feed cattle;
this was what they were brought up to from their youth, and were always employed in, and for which only they were fit:

and they have brought their flocks and their herds, and all that they
have;
in order to carry on the same business, and lead the same course of life.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F2 Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 2. c. 7. sect. 5.)

Génesis 46:32 In-Context

30 Entonces Israel le dijo a José:—¡Ya me puedo morir! ¡Te he visto y aún estás con vida!

31 José les dijo a sus hermanos y a la familia de su padre:—Voy a informarle al faraón que mis hermanos y la familia de mi padre, quienes vivían en Canaán, han venido a quedarse conmigo.

32 Le diré que ustedes son pastores que cuidan ganado, y que han traído sus ovejas y sus vacas, y todo cuanto tenían.

33 Por eso, cuando el faraón los llame y les pregunte a qué se dedican,

34 díganle que siempre se han ocupado de cuidar ganado, al igual que sus antepasados. Así podrán establecerse en la región de Gosén, pues los egipcios detestan el oficio de pastor.