Bible Strands
Genesis 46:34
you are to say, ‘Your servants have raised livestock ever since our youth—both we and our fathers.’ Then you will be allowed to settle in the land of Goshen, since all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Joseph instructs his brothers on their reply to Pharaoh’s question about their occupation.
The words — `עֲבָדֶיךָ` ('a.va.Dei./kha) = your servants and `מִנְּעוּרֵינוּ` (mi./ne.'u.Rei./nu) = since our youth.
The thread — The verse’s claim that shepherds are detestable to Egyptians aligns with the dietary and social separation noted in Genesis 43:32 and echoes the ritual distinction highlighted in Exodus 8:26.
Why it lands — The text records a strategic deception to secure settlement in Goshen, requiring the reader to observe how familial preservation drives pragmatic negotiation without moral endorsement.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
That ye shall say, Thy servants’ trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
Cross-references
- Exodus 8:26 But Moses replied, “It would not be right to do that, because the sacrifices we offer to the LORD our God would be detestable to the Egyptians. If we offer sacrifices that are detestable before the Egyptians, will they not stone us?
- Genesis 43:32 They separately served Joseph, his brothers, and the Egyptians. They ate separately because the Egyptians would not eat with the Hebrews, since that was detestable to them.
- Genesis 37:12 Some time later, Joseph’s brothers had gone to pasture their father’s flocks near Shechem.
- Genesis 46:32 The men are shepherds; they raise livestock, and they have brought their flocks and herds and all that they own.’
- Genesis 30:35 That very day Laban removed all the streaked or spotted male goats and every speckled or spotted female goat—every one that had any white on it—and every dark-colored lamb, and he placed them under the care of his sons.
- Genesis 45:10 You shall settle in the land of Goshen and be near me—you and your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and everything you own.
- Genesis 34:5 Jacob heard that Shechem had defiled his daughter Dinah, but since his sons were with his livestock in the field, he remained silent about it until they returned.