Genesis 46:34 - 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.”
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What does "Genesis 46:34" mean?
This verse from Genesis 46:34 is part of the story of Jacob's family (the Israelites) arriving in Egypt seeking refuge from famine. It contains a specific instruction given by Jacob (Israel) to his sons about how to answer Pharaoh's questions when they meet him. Let's break it down:
"that you shall say, ‘Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we, and our fathers:’" This is the instruction. Jacob is telling his sons to truthfully state that they are shepherds. This is their family profession, passed down through generations. He wants them to be honest about their livelihood.
"that you may dwell in the land of Goshen;" This is the purpose behind the instruction. Jacob understands that by identifying themselves as shepherds, they will be strategically placed in the land of Goshen. Goshen was a fertile area in Lower Egypt, near the Nile Delta, suitable for grazing livestock. He wants to secure this prime real estate for his family and their herds.
"for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians." This is the reason why stating their occupation is strategically beneficial. The fact that shepherds were an abomination to the Egyptians is the key to understanding the verse's significance. It suggests that the Egyptians held shepherds in low regard, possibly due to:
Religious reasons: Certain animals considered sacred by the Egyptians might have been used for purposes considered disrespectful by shepherds.
Economic reasons: Shepherds were nomadic or semi-nomadic, roaming with their flocks. This lifestyle could have clashed with the settled, agricultural society of Egypt. They competed for land, and their grazing may have been seen as detrimental to cultivated fields.
Social reasons: Egyptians may have seen shepherds as dirty, unsophisticated, and uncultured. They may have been associated with foreign groups who posed a threat to Egypt.
In summary, the verse means:
Jacob instructs his sons to tell Pharaoh they are shepherds so that, because Egyptians detest shepherds, Pharaoh will give them the desirable land of Goshen, away from other Egyptians. This allows the Israelites to maintain their culture and livelihood while being protected and provided for in Egypt during the famine.
The key takeaway is that Jacob is using the Egyptian prejudice against shepherds to his family's advantage. He knows that the Egyptians will want to keep these "abominable" people separate, and he exploits this to secure a good place for his family to live.
Genesis 46:34 - 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.”
What does "Genesis 46:34" mean?
This verse from Genesis 46:34 is part of the story of Jacob's family (the Israelites) arriving in Egypt seeking refuge from famine. It contains a specific instruction given by Jacob (Israel) to his sons about how to answer Pharaoh's questions when they meet him. Let's break it down:
"that you shall say, ‘Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we, and our fathers:’" This is the instruction. Jacob is telling his sons to truthfully state that they are shepherds. This is their family profession, passed down through generations. He wants them to be honest about their livelihood.
"that you may dwell in the land of Goshen;" This is the purpose behind the instruction. Jacob understands that by identifying themselves as shepherds, they will be strategically placed in the land of Goshen. Goshen was a fertile area in Lower Egypt, near the Nile Delta, suitable for grazing livestock. He wants to secure this prime real estate for his family and their herds.
"for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians." This is the reason why stating their occupation is strategically beneficial. The fact that shepherds were an abomination to the Egyptians is the key to understanding the verse's significance. It suggests that the Egyptians held shepherds in low regard, possibly due to:
Religious reasons: Certain animals considered sacred by the Egyptians might have been used for purposes considered disrespectful by shepherds.
Economic reasons: Shepherds were nomadic or semi-nomadic, roaming with their flocks. This lifestyle could have clashed with the settled, agricultural society of Egypt. They competed for land, and their grazing may have been seen as detrimental to cultivated fields.
Social reasons: Egyptians may have seen shepherds as dirty, unsophisticated, and uncultured. They may have been associated with foreign groups who posed a threat to Egypt.
In summary, the verse means:
Jacob instructs his sons to tell Pharaoh they are shepherds so that, because Egyptians detest shepherds, Pharaoh will give them the desirable land of Goshen, away from other Egyptians. This allows the Israelites to maintain their culture and livelihood while being protected and provided for in Egypt during the famine.
The key takeaway is that Jacob is using the Egyptian prejudice against shepherds to his family's advantage. He knows that the Egyptians will want to keep these "abominable" people separate, and he exploits this to secure a good place for his family to live.