Genesis 46:32

32 and how they are shepardes (for they were men of catell) and they haue brought their shepe and their oxen and all that they haue with them.

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 sayd vnto Ioseph: Now I am cotet to dye in somoch I haue sene the that thou art yet alyue.

31 And Ioseph sayde vnto his brethre and vnto his fathers house: I will goo and shewe Pharao and tell him: that my brethern and my fathers housse which were in the lade of Canaan are come vnto me

32 and how they are shepardes (for they were men of catell) and they haue brought their shepe and their oxen and all that they haue with them.

33 Yf Pharao call you and axe you what youre occupation

34 is saye: thi seruauntes haue bene occupyed aboute catell fro oure chilhode vnto this tyme: both we and oure fathers that ye maye dwell in the lande of Gosan. For an abhominacyon vnto the Egiptians are all that feade shepe.