Genesis 46:32 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.

Genesis 46:32 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.'

Genesis 46:32 niv

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

Genesis 46:32 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.'

Genesis 46:32 nlt

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

Genesis 46 verses

Genesis 46 32 Meaning

This verse states Joseph's strategic explanation to Pharaoh that his family are shepherds and keepers of livestock. It highlights their profession and the vast amount of their animal possessions (flocks, herds, and all they have brought) to establish their need for suitable grazing land separate from Egyptian society.

Genesis 46 32 Context

This verse is situated during Joseph's preparations for his father Jacob and his family's arrival in Egypt amidst a severe famine. Having reunited with his brothers, Joseph is meticulously planning their settlement in Egypt to ensure their safety and welfare. Just before this verse, Joseph instructs his brothers on what to tell Pharaoh regarding their occupation, knowing Pharaoh's aversion to shepherds. Joseph's strategic communication here is key to securing Goshen, a fertile land isolated from the main Egyptian populace. This immediate context is critical for understanding the "why" behind the specific identification of their profession. Broadly, this event marks a significant turning point in the Abrahamic covenant's fulfillment, as the family of Jacob, destined to become a great nation, begins its sojourn in Egypt, as prophesied to Abraham (Gen 15:13).

Genesis 46 32 Word analysis

• And the men: This refers to Joseph's brothers specifically, though it implicitly includes their households, representing the nascent nation of Israel.

• are shepherds (רֹעֵי צֹאן, ro'ei tson): The Hebrew term for shepherd (רֹעֵה, ro'eh) comes from a root meaning "to pasture" or "to tend." The word "tson" (צֹאן) specifically refers to small livestock, such as sheep and goats. This highlights their traditional, ancestral profession, directly linking them to pastoralism. This declaration of their livelihood served Joseph's deliberate purpose of separating his family from Egyptian society, as shepherding was generally held in low regard by the Egyptians, particularly the ruling class, potentially due to their nomadic lifestyle or perceived uncleanliness.

• for they have been keepers of livestock (כִּי־אַנְשֵׁי מִקְנֶה הָיוּ, ki-anshei mikneh hayu): This phrase reinforces and elaborates on "shepherds." "Keepers of livestock" uses the Hebrew term "mikneh" (מִקְנֶה), which broadly covers all domesticated animals, including cattle and donkeys, and often implies wealth or possessions tied to livestock. The emphasis on "they have been" signifies this is not a temporary state but a long-standing, ingrained identity and vocation. It highlights their consistent and hereditary dependence on animals, solidifying their need for extensive pastureland.

• and they have brought (וְהֵבִיאוּ, vehevi'u): Denotes their active role in transporting their wealth. This clause serves as a practical statement to Pharaoh about the resources accompanying them and, therefore, their immediate requirement for land suitable for these resources.

• their flocks (צֹאנָם, tsonam): Specific mention of sheep and goats, their primary source of sustenance and trade for millennia.

• and their herds (בְקָרָם, bekaram): Specific mention of larger livestock like cattle, which were also crucial for sustenance, labor, and wealth. The inclusion of both small and large animals signifies the entirety of their animal possessions, which were vital for their survival and a symbol of God's blessing and provision to them.

• and all that they have (כָּל־אֲשֶׁר לָהֶם, kol-asher lahem): This comprehensive phrase encapsulates all their other movable wealth, possessions, and possibly even the accompanying servants who traveled with them (cf. Gen 46:6). This underscores their complete reliance on a pastoral economy and necessitates suitable settlement that can accommodate their entire lifestyle and accumulated assets.

• Shepherds...keepers of livestock: The repetition emphasizes their consistent identity. Joseph uses this twofold description to unequivocally present his family as deeply rooted in a pastoral existence. This served to secure the land of Goshen for them (Gen 47:6), a region isolated from the general Egyptian populace and ideal for their profession due to its rich pastures. This separation would protect them from assimilation and enable them to multiply into a great nation, in fulfillment of God's covenant promises (Gen 12:2; Gen 15:5).

Genesis 46 32 Bonus section

• Divine Orchestration: This verse demonstrates God's intricate planning. The famine drove Jacob's family to Egypt, where Joseph, providentially elevated, ensured their preservation and strategic settlement. This ensured the survival and growth of the Abrahamic line despite hardship, setting the stage for the fulfillment of the covenant promises, including the nation of Israel.
• Distinction and Purity: By having the Israelites declare their profession as "detestable" to Egyptians (Gen 46:34), Joseph secures their separate dwelling in Goshen. This geographical and occupational distinction served as a protective barrier against assimilation into Egyptian paganism, preserving the purity of their faith and heritage. This foreshadows the broader biblical theme of God calling His people to be separate from the world (2 Cor 6:17).
• Prophetic Echoes: The theme of "shepherd" resonates throughout Scripture, moving from literal animal herders (like the patriarchs) to a metaphor for leadership and care (Kings, priests), and culminating in the "Good Shepherd," Jesus Christ (John 10). The care for the flocks here symbolically prefigures God's watchful care over His own flock, Israel, and later the church.

Genesis 46 32 Commentary

Genesis 46:32 is Joseph's pre-emptive communication strategy to Pharaoh. Knowing the Egyptians' aversion to shepherds, Joseph instructed his family to emphasize their pastoral profession, along with the great extent of their flocks and herds. This seemingly simple statement serves a critical dual purpose: it legitimizes their request for land in Egypt and simultaneously ensures their strategic placement in Goshen, separate from the primary agricultural centers and the direct influence of Egyptian society. This isolation was divinely orchestrated, preserving their distinct cultural and religious identity from the polytheistic Egyptians, essential for their future growth as the covenant people of God. The mention of "all that they have" further underscores God's generous provision and the prosperity He had bestowed upon Jacob's family, even in the midst of famine, setting the stage for their blossoming into a great nation. This carefully presented identity ensures not just their survival, but also their continued faithfulness to their heritage.