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Genesis 47:3

Pharaoh
Work

1 So Joseph went and told Pharaoh: “My father and my brothers, with their flocks and herds and all they own, have come from the land of Canaan and are now in Goshen.”

2 And he chose five of his brothers and presented them before Pharaoh.

“What is your occupation?” Pharaoh asked Joseph’s brothers. “Your servants are shepherds,” they replied, “both we and our fathers.”

4 Then they said to Pharaoh, “We have come to live in the land for a time, because there is no pasture for the flocks of your servants, since the famine in the land of Canaan has been severe. So now, please allow your servants to settle in the land of Goshen.”

5 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Now that your father and brothers have come to you,

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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
“What is your occupation?” Pharaoh asked Joseph’s brothers. “Your servants are shepherds,” they replied, “both we and our fathers.”
KJV
And Pharaoh said unto his brethren, What is your occupation? And they said unto Pharaoh, Thy servants are shepherds, both we, and also our fathers.
WEB
Pharaoh said to his brothers, “What is your occupation?” They said to Pharaoh, “Your servants are shepherds, both we, and our fathers.”
ASV
And Pharaoh said unto his brethren, What is your occupation? And they said unto Pharaoh, Thy servants are shepherds, both we, and our fathers.
DARBY
And Pharaoh said to his brethren, What is your occupation? And they said to Pharaoh, Thy servants are shepherds, both we and our fathers.
BLB
And Pharaoh said to his brothers, “What [are] your⁺ works?” And they said to Pharaoh, “Your servants [are] shepherds of sheep, both we [and] also our fathers.”
ÅB
Da sa Farao til hans brødre: Hva er deres levevei? De svarte Farao: Dine tjenere er fehyrder, vi som våre fedre.
OTB
Farao spurte dem: “Hva er deres yrke?” De svarte: “Dine tjenere er gjetere, slik våre forfedre var.”
B1930
Da sa Farao til hans brødre: Hvad er eders levevei? De svarte Farao: Dine tjenere er fehyrder, vi som våre fedre.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Genesis 46:33–34

    When Pharaoh summons you and asks, ‘What is your occupation?’

    Read in context

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:10

    For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.”

    Read in context

  • Amos 7:14–15

    “I was not a prophet,” Amos replied, “nor was I the son of a prophet; rather, I was a herdsman and a tender of sycamore-fig trees.

    Read in context

  • Jonah 1:8

    “Tell us now,” they demanded, “who is to blame for this calamity that is upon us? What is your occupation, and where have you come from? What is your country, and who are your people?”

    Read in context

  • Genesis 4:2

    Later she gave birth to Cain’s brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, while Cain was a tiller of the soil.

    Read in context