Genesis 46:32 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And 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.’

NIV: The men are shepherds; they tend livestock, and they have brought along their flocks and herds and everything they own.'

NASB: and 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.’

CSB: The men are shepherds; they also raise livestock. They have brought their flocks and herds and all that they have.'

NLT: These men are shepherds, and they raise livestock. They have brought with them their flocks and herds and everything they own.’'

KJV: And the men are shepherds, for their trade hath been to feed cattle; and they have brought their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have.

NKJV: And the men are shepherds, for their occupation has been to feed livestock; and they have brought their flocks, their herds, and all that they have.’

Joseph's father Jacob, and his large family, have arrived in Egypt in the land of Goshen. They have come at the insistence of Pharaoh with the promise they would be given the best of the land (Genesis 45:16–20). Jacob has accepted this offer, with God's blessing (Genesis 46:1–4). His family faced starvation from the severe famine. Joseph understood that God's intention all along was to install him in a position of power in Egypt in order that his family might be saved at this very time (Genesis 45:7–8).

Having reunited, Joseph seems intent on securing his family's position in Goshen with Pharaoh's full enthusiasm. This includes presenting themselves honestly, but with as little offense as possible to the local culture (1 Corinthians 10:32). He wants to present the people of Israel as lifelong herdsmen, emphasizing their relationship with cattle, which were held in high regard by Egyptian culture. At the same time, Joseph seems to downplay the family's association with sheep, which were not so honored (Genesis 46:33–34).

Genesis 46:28–34 resumes a description of Jacob's move to Egypt. The family arrives in the Goshen region, likely along the Nile River, and Joseph rides out on his chariot to meet them. This includes an emotional reunion between Jacob and the son he thought he'd lost. Amid tears, Jacob declares he is now ready to die after seeing Joseph alive. Joseph immediately prepares his family for an audience with Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt.

Genesis 46 includes three basic sections. First, Jacob and his large family begin their journey with all their possessions towards their new home in Egypt. Jacob stops in Beersheba and offers sacrifices to God. God responds by assuring Jacob He will continue to be with him and multiply his people. The narrative pauses to count the current descendants of Jacob, then resumes with Jacob's arrival in the Goshen region of Egypt. Joseph meets him there for an emotional reunion. Then Joseph prepares the family to meet Pharaoh.

Joseph has just been dramatically reunited with his estranged brothers (Genesis 45). Following Joseph's revelation of his identity Genesis 46 describes the large family's move out of Canaan. Jacob stops in Beersheba to offer sacrifices to God and receive renewed promises from Him. Then the story pauses to provide a count of Joseph's descendants by each of his four wives. Jacob is reunited with Joseph, who prepares his family to meet with Pharaoh. Chapter 47 describes Jacob's meeting with Pharaoh and the family's settlement in Goshen.

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.

Accessed 5/5/2024 3:34:23 AM