Genesis 46:27-34

27 and the sons of Joseph, who were born him in Egypt, were two souls. All the souls of the house of Jacob, who came into Egypt, were seventy.

28 And he sent Judah before him unto Joseph, to direct his face unto Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen.

29 And Joseph made ready his chariot and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and manifested himself unto him; and he fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while.

30 Then Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die since I have seen thy face because thou art yet alive.

31 And Joseph said unto his brethren and unto his father’s house, I will go up and tell Pharaoh and say unto him, My brethren and my father’s house, who were in the land of Canaan, are come unto me;

32 and the men are pastors of sheep, for their trade has been to feed livestock; and they have brought their sheep and their cows and all that they have.

33 And it shall come to pass when Pharaoh shall call you and shall say, What is your occupation?

34 Then ye shall say, Thy slaves’ trade has been about livestock from our youth even until now, both we and also our fathers, that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every pastor of sheep is an abomination unto the Egyptians.

Genesis 46:27-34 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 46

In this chapter we are told, that Jacob with all his family and substance took a journey to Egypt to see his son Joseph, as he determined, in which he was encouraged to proceed by a vision from God, Ge 46:1-7; and an account is given of all his sons, his sons' sons and daughters that went thither with him, Ge 46:8-27; when he came near to Egypt he sent Judah before him to Joseph, to acquaint him of his coming, who met him at Goshen, where there was a most affectionate interview between them, Ge 46:28-30; and when he gave directions and instructions what answers to give to Pharaoh's questions, when they should appear before him, to whom he proposed to go and inform him of their being come into Egypt, Ge 46:31-34.