Genesis 46:28-34

Jacob and Joseph Reunited

28 He had sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to show the way before him in Goshen, and they came ¹into the land of Goshen.

29 Then Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to meet Israel his father in Goshen. He presented himself to him and ²fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while.

30 Israel said to Joseph, ³"Now let me die, since I have seen your face and know that you are still alive."

31 Joseph said to his brothers and to his father's household, ⁴"I will go up and tell Pharaoh and will say to him, 'My brothers and my father's household, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me.

32 ⁵And the men are shepherds, for they have been keepers of livestock, and they have brought their flocks and their herds and all that they have.'

33 When Pharaoh calls you and says, ⁶'What is your occupation?'

34 you shall say, ⁷'Your servants have been keepers of livestock ⁸from our youth even until now, both we and our fathers,' in order that you may dwell ⁹in the land of Goshen, for every shepherd is ¹⁰an abomination to the Egyptians."

Genesis 46:28-34 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.

Cross References

• 1. See Genesis 45:10
• 2. [Genesis 45:14]
• 3. [Luke 2:29, 30]
• 4. Genesis 47:1
• 5. Genesis 47:3
• 6. [See ver. 32 above]
• 7. [See ver. 32 above]
• 8. Genesis 37:12
• 9. ver. 28
• 10. Genesis 43:32; Exodus 8:26