Genesis 46:29-34

29 Joseph went up in his chariot to meet his father at the same place (Joseph came up in his chariot, and met his father there). And he saw Jacob, and felled on his neck, and wept betwixt embracings.

30 And the father said to Joseph, Now I shall die joyful, for I have seen thy face, and I (shall) leave thee living.

31 And Joseph spake to his brethren, and to all his father's house(hold), (and said,) I shall go up, and tell to Pharaoh, and I shall say to him, My brethren, and the house(hold) of my father, that were in the land of Canaan, be come to me,

32 and they be men keepers of sheep, and have busyness of flocks to be fed (and these men be shepherds, and herdsmen, and be busy to feed their flocks, and their herds); (and) they brought with them their sheep, and (their) great beasts, and all things which they might have.

33 And when Pharaoh shall call you, and shall say, What is your work?

34 ye shall answer, We be thy servants, men shepherds (We, thy servants, be shepherds, and herdsmen), from our childhood till into this present time, both we and our fathers. Soothly ye shall say these things, (so) that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen, for Egyptians loathe all keepers of sheep.

Genesis 46:29-34 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.