Genesis 46:32

32 And the men are shepherds; for they have been feeders of cattle, and they have brought with them their cattle, and their kine, and all their property.

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 Israel said to Joseph, After this I will die, since I have seen thy face, for thou art yet living.

31 And Joseph said to his brethren, I will go up and tell Pharao, and will say to him, My brethren, and my father's house, who were in the land of Chanaan, are come to me.

32 And the men are shepherds; for they have been feeders of cattle, and they have brought with them their cattle, and their kine, and all their property.

33 If then Pharao call you, and say to you, What is you occupation?

34 Ye shall say, We thy servants are herdsmen from our youth until now, both we and our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Gesem of Arabia, for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.