Genesis 47:6
The land of Egypt is before thee; in the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell: and if thou knowest any men of activity among them, then make them rulers over my cattle. The land of Egypt is before thee; in the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell: and if thou knowest any men of activity among them, then make them rulers over my cattle.
Pharaoh put the land of Egypt before Joseph, giving him disposal to cause his father and brethren to dwell in the best of the land. He named Goshen as their dwelling place and authorized Joseph, if he knew any men of activity among them, to make them rulers over the royal cattle. The grant was an act of gratitude and recognition for Joseph's wise service in managing Egypt.
Joseph selected Goshen because it was well-watered and fertile, affording good pasture and water for their flocks. He had counseled his brothers to state frankly that they were shepherds, since shepherding was regarded as degrading in Egypt. He did so so that Pharaoh would not seek for Joseph's sake to exalt them to honorable positions in the king's special service and thereby expose them to temptation and corrupting idolatrous influences at court. In Goshen they could worship God undisturbed by the ceremonies attending the idolatrous service of the Egyptians.
The grant gave the family a settled home while they still remained sojourners in Egypt. The Israelites inhabited Goshen and the country round about it until God brought them out of Egypt with power and mighty signs and wonders. Pharaoh's offer of positions over his cattle to men of activity shows that he valued ability and industry.