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.
Read it in contextJacob's Family Goes to Egypt and Joseph's Instructions
Start reading at Genesis 46:1 (Genesis 46:1 to Genesis 46:34).
This unit describes Jacob's journey to Egypt, the census of his family, and Joseph's instructions for their settlement.
46:1And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac.
46:2And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.
46:3And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:
46:4I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes.
46:5And Jacob rose up from Beersheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him.
46:6And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him:
46:7His sons, and his sons' sons with him, his daughters, and his sons' daughters, and all his seed brought he with him into Egypt.
46:8And these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn.
46:9And the sons of Reuben; Hanoch, and Phallu, and Hezron, and Carmi.
46:10And the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman.
46:11And the sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
46:12And the sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah, and Pharez, and Zarah: but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. And the sons of Pharez were Hezron and Hamul.
46:13And the sons of Issachar; Tola, and Phuvah, and Job, and Shimron.
46:14And the sons of Zebulun; Sered, and Elon, and Jahleel.
46:15These be the sons of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob in Padanaram, with his daughter Dinah: all the souls of his sons and his daughters were thirty and three.
46:16And the sons of Gad; Ziphion, and Haggi, Shuni, and Ezbon, Eri, and Arodi, and Areli.
46:17And the sons of Asher; Jimnah, and Ishuah, and Isui, and Beriah, and Serah their sister: and the sons of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel.
46:18These are the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah his daughter, and these she bare unto Jacob, even sixteen souls.
46:19The sons of Rachel Jacob's wife; Joseph, and Benjamin.
46:20And unto Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him.
46:21And the sons of Benjamin were Belah, and Becher, and Ashbel, Gera, and Naaman, Ehi, and Rosh, Muppim, and Huppim, and Ard.
46:22These are the sons of Rachel, which were born to Jacob: all the souls were fourteen.
46:23And the sons of Dan; Hushim.
46:24And the sons of Naphtali; Jahzeel, and Guni, and Jezer, and Shillem.
46:25These are the sons of Bilhah, which Laban gave unto Rachel his daughter, and she bare these unto Jacob: all the souls were seven.
46:26All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, which came out of his loins, besides Jacob's sons' wives, all the souls were threescore and six;
46:27And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, were two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, were threescore and ten.
46:28And he sent Judah before him unto Joseph, to direct his face unto Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen.
46:29And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.
46:30And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive.
46:31And Joseph said unto his brethren, and unto his father's house, I will go up, and shew Pharaoh, and say unto him, My brethren, and my father's house, which were in the land of Canaan, are come unto me;
46:32And 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.
46:33And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, and shall say, What is your occupation?
46:34That 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.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Moses is the traditional Jewish and Christian author of Genesis as part of the Pentateuch. Genesis itself does not explicitly identify its writer. Biblical references: John 5:46; Mark 12:26. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Genesis 46:1–47:31): Jacob and his family move to Egypt; Joseph arranges their settlement and introduces members of the family to Pharaoh. The wider Egyptians are involved in the famine administration. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Israel, the covenant people descended from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, were the first community for whom this account of their origins was preserved. An exact first circulation date or named recipient is not established. Biblical references: Genesis 12:1; Genesis 17:7; Genesis 35:10. book background
What
What is the main event or theme? Joseph instructs his brethren to tell Pharaoh that their occupation has always been keeping cattle, so that they may be permitted to dwell in the land of Goshen, because shepherds are considered an abomination to the Egyptians.
What is God revealing? God is revealing His providential guidance in bringing Jacob's family into Egypt and ensuring their settlement in a distinct area, Goshen, where they can multiply according to His promise to make of Jacob a great nation.
What is the literary style? The literary style is narrative history.
When
When was it written? The book of Genesis was written approximately 1440 to 1400 B.C.
When does the event take place? This event takes place during the time of Joseph's premiership in Egypt, after Jacob and his family have arrived, within the period from Creation to the death of Joseph.
Where
Where did it happen? The event happened in the land of Goshen, Egypt.
Where was the author located? The author was located in the Wilderness of Sinai.
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Jacob's Family Goes to Egypt and Joseph's Instructions (Genesis 46:1 to Genesis 46:34).
Start reading at Genesis 46:1. This unit describes Jacob's journey to Egypt, the census of his family, and Joseph's instructions for their settlement.
How
How does it fit the broader context? This passage details Joseph's strategic plan to secure a distinct dwelling place for his family in Egypt, fulfilling God's promise to make a great nation of Jacob's descendants while protecting them from assimilation into Egyptian culture. stated in the text
How does it point to Christ? This passage shows God's providential care for His chosen people, preserving the lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come. God's faithfulness in guiding Jacob's family to a place of safety and growth foreshadows His ultimate plan of salvation through the one God, who would send His Anointed One. interpretation
How do I apply it today? Believers today can trust in God's providential care and wisdom, knowing that He guides circumstances for the good of His people and to fulfill His purposes, even when human plans are involved. interpretation
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author. Elsewhere Scripture attributes the Law to Moses, and Jesus calls it the book of Moses. Exodus 17:14Joshua 8:31Mark 12:26John 5:46
Early traditionJewish tradition (Talmud, Baba Bathra 14b) and the early church assign the first five books to Moses.
What is debatedSome scholars propose several later sources behind the Pentateuch. A few notes appear to be written after Moses, such as the list of kings in Genesis 36:31.
Stephen summarizes a long history. His summary should not be mistaken for a verse-by-verse duplicate or used to erase details that require further study.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Genesis 46
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Genesis introduces creation, the nations, and the ancestral family of Israel. It does not name a recipient or give a composition date. Read the promises to named people in their narrated settings before applying them to later readers. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Joseph's experiences lead to the preservation of Jacob's family in Egypt. The book closes with confidence about a future return, preparing the setting of Exodus.
Connection to the wholeJoseph's experiences lead to the preservation of Jacob's family in Egypt. The book closes with confidence about a future return, preparing the setting of Exodus.
Connection to the wholeJoseph's experiences lead to the preservation of Jacob's family in Egypt. The book closes with confidence about a future return, preparing the setting of Exodus.
Connection to the wholeJoseph's experiences lead to the preservation of Jacob's family in Egypt. The book closes with confidence about a future return, preparing the setting of Exodus.
Connection to the wholeJoseph's experiences lead to the preservation of Jacob's family in Egypt. The book closes with confidence about a future return, preparing the setting of Exodus.
Connection to the wholeJoseph's experiences lead to the preservation of Jacob's family in Egypt. The book closes with confidence about a future return, preparing the setting of Exodus.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Joseph's experiences lead to the preservation of Jacob's family in Egypt. The book closes with confidence about a future return, preparing the setting of Exodus.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Genesis
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Genesis introduces creation, the nations, and the ancestral family of Israel. It does not name a recipient or give a composition date. Read the promises to named people in their narrated settings before applying them to later readers.
Connection to the wholeThe opening establishes God as Creator, describes human rebellion and its consequences, and traces the nations before narrowing the account to Abram's family.
Connection to the wholeThe narrative concentrates on God's promises to Abraham, the birth of Isaac, and the continuation of the family through whom the earlier promise is carried forward.
Connection to the wholeFamily rivalry, journeys, marriages, and reconciliation develop the promised line while also recording the related family of Esau.
Connection to the wholeJoseph's experiences lead to the preservation of Jacob's family in Egypt. The book closes with confidence about a future return, preparing the setting of Exodus.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.