And he took some of his brethren, even five men, and presented them unto Pharaoh.
Joseph took five of his brethren and presented them to Pharaoh. He presented them to seek and receive from Pharaoh a grant of land for their future home. Beforehand he counseled them to answer frankly and plainly when asked their occupation that they were shepherds. He also had them state that they had come to live in Egypt temporarily, to sojourn, not to settle permanently.
The occupation of shepherd was regarded in Egypt as degrading. Joseph directed this honest avowal so that Pharaoh would not appoint them to court or special service nor seek to exalt them to honorable position for Joseph's sake. By this he kept them from the temptations and corrupting, idolatrous influences of court life and of service at a heathen court. Stating a temporary sojourn also preserved their right to leave Egypt.
Pharaoh therefore gave Joseph permission to settle his father and brothers in Goshen. Goshen was the best part of the land of Egypt, assigned by Pharaoh and selected by Joseph. It was a well-watered, fertile country with good pasture and water for flocks. There they could worship God undisturbed and apart from Egyptian idolatrous ceremonies and religious disturbances. The country round about Goshen was inhabited by the Israelites until God with power and mighty signs and wonders brought His people out of Egypt.
Joseph took five of his brethren and presented them to Pharaoh. He presented them to seek and receive from Pharaoh a grant of land for their future home. Beforehand he counseled them to answer frankly and plainly when asked their occupation that they were shepherds. He also had them state that they had come to live in Egypt temporarily, to sojourn, not to settle permanently.
The occupation of shepherd was regarded in Egypt as degrading. Joseph directed this honest avowal so that Pharaoh would not appoint them to court or special service nor seek to exalt them to honorable position for Joseph's sake. By this he kept them from the temptations and corrupting, idolatrous influences of court life and of service at a heathen court. Stating a temporary sojourn also preserved their right to leave Egypt.
Pharaoh therefore gave Joseph permission to settle his father and brothers in Goshen. Goshen was the best part of the land of Egypt, assigned by Pharaoh and selected by Joseph. It was a well-watered, fertile country with good pasture and water for flocks. There they could worship God undisturbed and apart from Egyptian idolatrous ceremonies and religious disturbances. The country round about Goshen was inhabited by the Israelites until God with power and mighty signs and wonders brought His people out of Egypt.