Genesis 46:33-34 · Bible study
Genesis 46:33-34 Commentary: Shepherds as Abomination
Hebrew · 7 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Joseph tells his brothers to claim shepherding despite Egyptian prejudice.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Joseph instructs his brothers to emphasize their shepherding background so Pharaoh will assign them the separate, fertile land of Goshen.
- Key words: abomination (תּוֹעֵבַה, toevah), ritual or social disgust; shepherd (רֹעֵה, ro'eh), herdsman, often nomadic; livestock (מִקְנֶה, miqneh), cattle or flocks.
- Main debate: Whether the statement “every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians” reflects historical fact or is a literary device used by Joseph to ensure separation. Sources agree some Egyptian disdain existed (due to Hyksos memory and nomadic conflict), but the verse may be an intentional exaggeration.
- Theological theme: Providence, God uses human prejudice and wise planning to preserve His covenant people in a foreign land, keeping them distinct.
- Best use: Preaching or teaching on God's hidden guidance, strategic honesty, and the value of holy separation. Also useful for discussions on living as outsiders in a hostile culture.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
33When Pharaoh summons you and asks, ‘What is your occupation?’
34you 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.”
WEB World English Bible 2000
33It will happen, when Pharaoh summons you, and will say, ‘What is your occupation?’
34that 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.”
KJV King James Version 1769
33And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, and shall say, What is your occupation?
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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
33And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, and shall say, What is your occupation?
34that 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.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
33`And it hath come to pass when Pharaoh calleth for you, and hath said, What are your works?
34that ye have said, Thy servants have been men of cattle from our youth, even until now, both we and our fathers, --in order that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen, for the abomination of the Egyptians is every one feeding a flock.'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
33And it shall come to pass that when Pharaoh shall call you and say, What is your occupation?
34then 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.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
33And when he shall call you, and shall say: What is your occupation?
34You shall answer: We, thy servants, are shepherds, from our infancy until now, both we and our fathers. And this you shall say, that you may dwell in the land of Gessen, because the Egyptians have all shepherds in abomination.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Genesis 46:33
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Joseph instructed his brothers to identify as shepherds so they would be settled in Goshen, a region suitable for livestock on Egypt's eastern frontier. Keil and Delitzsch note that Joseph wanted to safeguard their national and religious independence by preventing too close intercourse with Egyptians. Adam Clarke adds that Goshen, being a grassland district, would allow Israel to maintain their customs without offense. Cambridge Bible points out that the statement “every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians” may be somewhat overstated, but it reflects genuine Egyptian disdain for Asiatic nomads. That prejudice works to Israel's advantage. By leaning into a despised identity, Joseph secures the exact territory that will later allow his family to multiply in isolation, preserving the covenant community through Egypt's own hostility.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Historical accuracy view: Relies on ancient historians (Herodotus, Manetho) who report Egyptian hatred of shepherds due to Hyksos invasions. Accepts the biblical statement as fact.
- Literary/strategic view: Argues the statement is an exaggeration or a writer's note reflecting later attitudes. The point is not strict history but Joseph's shrewdness in employing a known bias to secure separation.
- Socio-economic view: Holds that Egyptians despised shepherds not primarily for historical reasons but because nomadic herders were seen as lawless, dirty, and lower class. This explains why Egyptians could own cattle yet scorn shepherds.
What is clear: Whatever the historical accuracy of Egyptian attitudes, Joseph's instruction is designed to secure the land of Goshen for his family, preserving their distinct identity and setting the stage for national growth.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Historicity of Egyptian disdain for shepherds | Egyptians had some prejudice against nomadic shepherds, linked to agricultural life and possibly Hyksos memory. | Some commentators (e.g., Cambridge Bible) doubt the statement is literally true, seeing it as a literary exaggeration. Others (Clarke, Keil & Delitzsch) accept it as accurate reporting of Egyptian attitudes. |
| Joseph's primary motive for the script | He wanted his family to settle in Goshen rather than in the heart of Egypt. | Was the motive mainly to preserve religious purity (Matthew Henry, Gill) or to ensure practical separation for growth into a nation (Keil & Delitzsch)? Both are affirmed in the tradition. |
| Meaning of 'abomination' (toevah) | The word denotes something ritually or morally detestable, not just mild dislike. | Whether the abomination was primarily ritual (Egyptian religious scruples about sheep) or social (scorn for nomads as unruly barbarians). Sources like Clarke and Ellicott emphasize the social and historical dimension. |
| Role of the Hyksos in the background | Memory of a Semitic shepherd invasion contributed to Egyptian hostility. | The exact dating of the Hyksos period relative to Joseph is uncertain. Poole and Ellicott assume it is relevant; Cambridge Bible notes the possibility that the invasion was later, making the statement an anachronism from the writer's perspective. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Goshen lay east of the Nile, in the Heliopolitan nome, a region of good pasture that never flooded. It was the part of Egypt nearest to Canaan, making it a buffer zone. Egypt's economy ran on settled agriculture, which required strict irrigation management from the annual inundation. Nomadic shepherds, by contrast, moved herds across unfenced land, sometimes damaging crops or stealing what they needed. Adam Clarke, citing Bruce, describes Goshen as “the country of grass or pasturage, or of the shepherds,” set apart from the rest of the land that was sown after the Nile's overflow.
Compounding economic tension was historical memory. Ancient writers record that a Semitic people known as the Hyksos (“rulers of foreign lands”) had invaded Egypt generations before, establishing a dynasty that Egyptians eventually expelled. The Hyksos were shepherds, and their occupation became associated with conquest and brutality. Poole’s annotation mentions “the horrid cruelties lately committed there by the Phoenician shepherds.” Whether this dates exactly to Joseph's era is debated (Cambridge Bible is cautious), but the cultural prejudice was real enough for Joseph to count on it. Ellicott explains that Egyptians “hated sheep and shepherds” because they saw them as rude plunderers. So Joseph's strategy is both shrewd and faithful: he uses Egyptian bias to place his family in Goshen, where they can thrive without assimilation.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for Genesis 46:33-34. The Masoretic Text is stable, and the ancient versions (Septuagint, Vulgate, Syriac) agree closely with the Hebrew. The only minor variation is in the description of occupation: some translations use “cattle” while others use “livestock,” but this reflects the semantic range of the Hebrew miqneh, not a textual difference.
Reception History
From the early church through the Reformation, this passage was read as a model of godly cunning. John Calvin saw Joseph's action as an example of prudence under providence; Matthew Henry praised Joseph's filial respect and wise handling of Pharaoh. In later centuries, the passage became a key text for discussions on the relationship between God's people and surrounding culture. The tension, telling the truth in a way that exploits prejudice, raised questions about when believers may use the world's biases for their benefit. More recently, some have noted how the story subverts the very prejudice it exploits: the “abominable” shepherds become the ancestors of the exodus generation, whom Egypt will one day fear. Throughout, the passage has been cited to illustrate God's sovereignty in placing His people exactly where they need to be to fulfill His promises.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Joseph knows the culture. He has lived in Pharaoh's court for years and understands Egyptian prejudices. He does not ask his brothers to lie; he asks them to be honest in a way that works for their good.
- The despised identity becomes the door. Shepherding was abhorrent to Egyptians, so the Israelites would be settled apart, exactly where they needed to be to grow into a nation. God often uses what the world rejects to shelter His people.
- Separation preserves the promise. Goshen keeps Israel from intermarriage, idolatry, and assimilation. Their distinctiveness is protected by Egyptian disdain. The same prejudice that could have harmed them becomes their shield.
Five-point outline
- Background: Jacob's family arrives in Egypt, and Joseph prepares Pharaoh for their presence.
- Instruction: Joseph scripts their answer, “your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth.”
- Reason: “that you may dwell in the land of Goshen.” The desired outcome is clear.
- Truth in tension: Egyptians themselves owned cattle (Genesis 47:6, 17), so the abomination is not about livestock per se but about the nomadic lifestyle and the historical memory of Hyksos shepherds.
- Outcome: Pharaoh grants them Goshen, the best of the land (Genesis 47:6).
Illustration hooks
- A skilled worker from a rural area moves to a big city for a job. The city people look down on his accent and background. That prejudice keeps him from being drawn into their fast-paced lifestyle, and he saves money, stays focused, and eventually returns to start a business that helps his hometown.
- A family relocates to a country that has a negative stereotype about their ethnic group. They find housing in a close-knit immigrant neighbourhood. That very separation helps them preserve their language, faith, and traditions while they adapt.
- A teenager is mocked for being serious about faith in a school that prizes popularity. The isolation forces her to build stronger friendships in a youth group, which deepens her character.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why would God allow His people to be seen as an abomination? Does that mean we should expect to be hated?
- If Joseph was so close to Pharaoh, why didn't he just ask for Goshen directly? Why the elaborate script?
- How do we know when to speak honestly about a difficult identity and when to downplay it for safety?
Leading a Discussion
This passage shows Joseph's wisdom in navigating both his family's needs and Egyptian culture. It invites us to see how God can use the world's biases to accomplish His purposes. The goal for your group is to move from observing what Joseph did to reflecting on how God might be working in your own contexts.
Discussion questions
- What occupation does Joseph tell his brothers to claim when Pharaoh asks? Look at the exact words in verse 34.
- Why does Joseph add the detail “from our youth even until now, both we and our fathers”? What does that emphasis accomplish?
- Read Genesis 46:32 and 47:4. How do the brothers actually present themselves to Pharaoh? Do they follow Joseph's script exactly?
- What does “abomination” mean in this context? Look at Genesis 43:32 for another use of the same word. What does it tell you about Egyptian attitudes?
- Why does Joseph want his family in Goshen specifically? Consider what you've learned about the region's location, pasture, and separation from the main Egyptian population.
- In what ways might an outsider identity actually protect a community? Can you think of examples from history or your own life?
- How does this story challenge or encourage you about where you are placed in society? What might God be doing through your own circumstances, even the difficult ones?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Genesis 46:32 | These 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 47:2 | From among his brothers he took five men, and presented them to Pharaoh. |
| Genesis 47:4 | They also said to Pharaoh, “We have come to live as foreigners in the land, for there is no pasture for your servants’ flocks. For the famine is severe in the land of Canaan. Now therefore, please let your servants dwell in the land of Goshen.” |
| Jonah 1:8 | Then they asked him, “Tell us, please, for whose cause this evil is on us. What is your occupation? Where do you come from? What is your country? Of what people are you?” |
| Genesis 30:35 | That day, he removed the male goats that were streaked and spotted, and all the female goats that were speckled and spotted, every one that had white in it, and all the black ones among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons. |
| Genesis 34:5 | Now Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah, his daughter; and his sons were with his livestock in the field. Jacob held his peace until they came. |
| Genesis 37:12 | His brothers went to feed their father’s flock in Shechem. |
| Genesis 43:32 | They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians don’t eat with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
7 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Adam Clarke resolves the puzzle of why shepherds were an abomination to Egyptians, even though Egyptians kept cattle themselves. He explains that shepherds were often lawless bandits who raided villages and stole livestock, making them universally detested for their violent, predatory way of life.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
Cambridge Bible notes the shrewdness of Joseph's plan to settle his family in Goshen by having them mention they are shepherds, since shepherds were "an abomination" to Egyptians. However, the commentary questions whether this statement is historically accurate, suggesting it may reflect Egyptian disdain for Asiatic nomads rather than shepherds themselves.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva notes point out a deliberate strategy: the brothers are to answer Pharaoh truthfully, knowing shepherds are detestable to Egyptians. This honest reply will lead Pharaoh to assign them the separate land of Goshen, ensuring Israel remains distinct from Egyptian culture and idolatry.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill stresses that Joseph instructed his brothers to emphasize their lifelong occupation as shepherds so Pharaoh would place them in Goshen. Beyond good pasture, Joseph wanted them isolated from Egyptian idolatry and contempt, since foreign shepherds were hated because of past invasions by Hyksos shepherd-kings.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil and Delitzsch observe that Joseph tells his brothers to call themselves shepherds from their youth, knowing Egyptians despise shepherds. This deliberate strategy ensures Pharaoh settles them in Goshen, keeping them apart from Egyptian society and so preserving their national and religious distinctiveness.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange treats the separation between Israel and Egypt not as social failure but as divine strategy. He argues that Egyptian prejudice against shepherds provided God’s protective barrier, keeping the family distinct while they sojourned. This cultural divide preserved their identity until the time came to return to Canaan.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry highlights Joseph’s deliberate act of presenting himself before his father as a model of filial reverence. He argues that children must honor their parents even when divine providence elevates them to positions of superior authority and power, ensuring respect remains undimmed by changed circumstances.