THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
Following the advice of Joseph (Genesis 46:31), his brothers responded to Pharaoh, allowing them to settle in the region of Goshen.
Genesis 47:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
And he asked them: What is your occupation? They answered: We, thy servants, are shepherds, both we and our fathers.
וַיֹּ֧אמֶר פַּרְעֹ֛ה אֶל־אֶחָ֖יו מַה־מַּעֲשֵׂיכֶ֑ם וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ אֶל־פַּרְעֹ֗ה רֹעֵ֥ה צֹאן֙ עֲבָדֶ֔יךָ גַּם־אֲנַ֖חְנוּ גַּם־אֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Ephraem the Syrian
Joseph was instructed to tell his brothers in front of Pharaoh: Shepherds are our occupation, as well as that of our ancestors, so that Pharaoh might arrange for them to reside in the land of Goshen. This way, they could be distinct from those who venerate sheep and calves.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Gen 46:33And when he shall call you, and shall say: What is your occupation?
- Gen 46:34You 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.
- Amos 7:14And Amos answered and said to Amasias: I am not a prophet, nor am I the son of a prophet: but I am a herdsman plucking wild figs.
- Amos 7:15And the Lord took me when I followed the flock, and the Lord said to me: Go, prophesy to my people Israel.
- Gen 4:2And again she brought forth his brother Abel. And Abel was a shepherd, and Cain a husbandman.
- 2 Thess 3:10For also, when we were with you, this we declared to you: that, if any man will not work, neither let him eat.
- Jonah 1:8And they said to him: Tell us for what cause this evil is upon us, what is thy business? of what country art thou? and whither goest thou? or of what people art thou?