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Doubtless Joseph fell down before him with all that reverence which children owe to their parents, and in this posture Jacob falls upon his neck, &c. Of which posture see Genesis 33:4 45:14 Luke 15:20 Acts 20:37.

Now I expect no greater happiness upon earth, and therefore am content to die. Compare Luke 2:29.

No text from Poole on this verse.

No text from Poole on this verse.

No text from Poole on this verse.

In this design and choice Joseph shows both his prudence and piety. He brings them not to court, where it had been easy for him to have put them all into the best places and offices of the court; and as he is not ashamed to own himself a brother to shepherds, which were contemptible among the Egyptians, so he seeks not to advance them higher, but continues them in their employment, and placeth them in Goshen: whereby,

1. He kept them together, which was very convenient for them in many respects.

2. He secured them both from envy, and, as far as he could, from the corruption of their religion and manners, which was likely to follow their mixture with the Egyptians, and especially their being at the court.

3. He put them into a capacity of returning to Canaan, when God gave them opportunity.

Every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians; either,

1. Because they did both kill and eat those creatures which the Egyptians adored. Or,

2. Because of the fresh remembrance of the horrid cruelties lately committed there by the Phoenician shepherds, who, as some very ancient writers affirm, were seated in Egypt in great numbers, and had arrived to great power, and waged a cruel war with other Egyptians, wherein they wasted divers cities, and burned their temples, and barbarously murdered a multitude of people. And therefore it is no wonder if the calling of shepherds was grown out of use and credit among them. True it is, the Egyptians had some sheep, and other cattle, Genesis 47:6,17 Exo 8:26 9:3, which they kept for delight or profit by their milk, wool, &c., or for sale to others, but they did not use them, as other shepherds generally did, kill and eat them. And it is probable that they committed even the keeping of their sheep and cattle to those strangers which were dispersed among them, and looked upon the employment as too vile and mean for any Egyptian. And though Pharaoh offered it to Joseph’s brethren as a favour to be

rulers over his cattle, Genesis 47:6, that might proceed only from hence, because he saw them firmly resolved upon that course of life, and therefore could not bestow any higher preferment upon them.

Joseph acquaints Pharaoh with his father’s arrival; presents five of his brethren to him, Genesis 47:1,2. He after some inquiry instates them in Goshen: they being shepherds, he orders Joseph, if he knew any men of activity amongst them, to make them rulers over his cattle, Genesis 47:3-6. Joseph likewise brings his father before Pharaoh, who inquires after his age, and is blessed by Jacob, Genesis 47:7-10. Joseph maintains his father, and all his house, in Goshen, Genesis 47:11,12. Joseph gets all the money, cattle, and lands of the Egyptians into his hands for corn; removes them to distant quarters of the land, Genesis 47:13-21; the priests only excepted, who have a portion assigned them by Pharaoh, Genesis 47:22. Joseph leaves the land to the people to till, and gives them corn to sow, they giving Pharaoh the fifth part of the crop, Genesis 47:23-26. Jacob’s life in Egypt, and full age, Genesis 47:27,28. He takes an oath of Joseph concerning his burial, Genesis 47:29-31.

1706 Either to abide there, or to remove thence to any other place which thou shalt appoint for them.

Some of his brethren, or part, as this Hebrew word is used, Daniel 1:2; or the extremity, or end, or tail of them, i.e. the meanest of them for person and presence, as the word is taken 1 Kings 12:31, lest if he, had presented the goodliest of them, Pharaoh might have required their attendance upon him, either at court or camp. And for the same reason for which he did industriously represent them to Pharaoh as contemptible in their employment, he might also present those to him who were so in their persons.