Genesis 46:32

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.

Genesis 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.

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FOOTNOTES:

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

Genesis 46:32 In-Context

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.