Génesis 46:32

32 y los hombres son pastores de ovejas, pues son hombres de ganado; y han traído sus ovejas y sus vacas, y todo lo que tienen."

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.

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FOOTNOTES:

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

Génesis 46:32 In-Context

30 Entonces Israel dijo a José: Ahora ya puedo morir, después que he visto tu rostro y sé que todavía vives.

31 Y José dijo a sus hermanos y a la familia de su padre: Subiré y lo haré saber a Faraón, y le diré: "Mis hermanos y la familia de mi padre, que estaban en la tierra de Canaán, han venido a mí;

32 y los hombres son pastores de ovejas, pues son hombres de ganado; y han traído sus ovejas y sus vacas, y todo lo que tienen."

33 Y sucederá que cuando Faraón os llame y os diga: "¿Cuál es vuestra ocupación?",

34 vosotros responderéis: "Tus siervos han sido hombres de ganado desde su juventud hasta ahora, tanto nosotros como nuestros padres", a fin de que habitéis en la tierra de Gosén; porque para los egipcios todo pastor de ovejas es una abominación.