Genesis 46:34
32 The men are shepherds; they raise livestock, and they have brought their flocks and herds and all that they own.’
33 When Pharaoh summons you and asks, ‘What is your occupation?’
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.”
Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- 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.”
- KJV
- 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.
- WEB
- that you shall say, ‘Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we, and our fathers:’ that you may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.”
- ASV
- that ye shall say, Thy servants have been keepers of cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
- DARBY
- then ye shall say, Thy servants are men that have been occupied with cattle from our youth even until now, both we and our fathers; in order that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.
- BLB
- That you⁺ shall say, ‘Your servants have been men of livestock from our youth and even until now, both we [and] also our fathers,’ so that you⁺ may dwell in the land of Goshen. For an abomination of Egypt [is] every shepherd of sheep.”
- ÅB
- da skal dere si: Dine tjenere har drevet feavl fra vår ungdom av og til nå, både vi og våre fedre - da får dere bo i landet Gosen; for alle fehyrder er en styggedom for egypterne.
- OTB
- skal dere si: 'Dine tjenere har drevet med buskap fra vår ungdom og til nå, slik også våre fedre gjorde.' Dette vil tillate dere å bosette dere i området Gosen, for alle gjetere er avskyelige for egypterne."
- B1930
- da skal I si: Dine tjenere har drevet feavl fra vår ungdom av og til nu, både vi og våre fedre - da får I bo i landet Gosen; for alle fehyrder er en vederstyggelighet for egypterne.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
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?
Read in contextGenesis 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.
Read in contextGenesis 46:32
The men are shepherds; they raise livestock, and they have brought their flocks and herds and all that they own.’
Read in contextGenesis 37:12
Some time later, Joseph’s brothers had gone to pasture their father’s flocks near Shechem.
Read in contextGenesis 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.
Read in contextGenesis 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.
Read in context