share torah logo

Genesis 46:34 - Shepherds despised in Egypt?

Genesis 46:34 - בראשית 46:34

Hebrew Text

וַאֲמַרְתֶּם אַנְשֵׁי מִקְנֶה הָיוּ עֲבָדֶיךָ מִנְּעוּרֵינוּ וְעַד־עַתָּה גַּם־אֲנַחְנוּ גַּם־אֲבֹתֵינוּ בַּעֲבוּר תֵּשְׁבוּ בְּאֶרֶץ גֹּשֶׁן כִּי־תוֹעֲבַת מִצְרַיִם כָּל־רֹעֵה צֹאן׃

English Translation

that you shall say, Thy servants’ trade has been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that you may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination to Miżrayim.

Transliteration

Va'amartem anshe mikne hayu avadecha mine'ureinu ve'ad-ata gam-anachnu gam-avoteinu ba'avur teshevu be'eretz goshen ki-to'avat mitzrayim kol-ro'eh tzon

Hebrew Leining Text

וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֗ם אַנְשֵׁ֨י מִקְנֶ֜ה הָי֤וּ עֲבָדֶ֙יךָ֙ מִנְּעוּרֵ֣ינוּ וְעַד־עַ֔תָּה גַּם־אֲנַ֖חְנוּ גַּם־אֲבֹתֵ֑ינוּ בַּעֲב֗וּר תֵּשְׁבוּ֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ גֹּ֔שֶׁן כִּֽי־תוֹעֲבַ֥ת מִצְרַ֖יִם כׇּל־רֹ֥עֵה צֹֽאן׃
וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֗ם אַנְשֵׁ֨י מִקְנֶ֜ה הָי֤וּ עֲבָדֶ֙יךָ֙ מִנְּעוּרֵ֣ינוּ וְעַד־עַ֔תָּה גַּם־אֲנַ֖חְנוּ גַּם־אֲבֹתֵ֑ינוּ בַּעֲב֗וּר תֵּשְׁבוּ֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ גֹּ֔שֶׁן כִּֽי־תוֹעֲבַ֥ת מִצְרַ֖יִם כׇּל־רֹ֥עֵה צֹֽאן׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bereshit 46:34) is part of Yosef's instructions to his brothers before they meet Pharaoh. Yosef advises them to emphasize their occupation as shepherds to ensure they are settled in Goshen, separate from the Egyptians, as shepherds were considered an abomination in Egyptian society.

Why Shepherds Were an Abomination to Egypt

  • Rashi's Explanation: Rashi (Bereshit 46:34) explains that sheep were sacred to the Egyptians, and those who tended them were seen as degrading the objects of their worship. Thus, shepherds were despised.
  • Ramban's Insight: The Ramban (Nachmanides) adds that the Egyptians' disdain for shepherds was also economic—they were an agrarian society that valued farming over pastoralism.
  • Midrashic Perspective: The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 88:5) suggests that the Egyptians associated shepherds with the Hyksos, foreign rulers who had once oppressed them, deepening their hatred for the profession.

Strategic Purpose of Yosef's Advice

Yosef's directive served multiple purposes:

  • Preservation of Identity: By settling in Goshen, the Israelites would remain distinct from Egyptian culture, avoiding assimilation (Sforno, Bereshit 46:34).
  • Political Safety: Separation from the Egyptians minimized friction and potential conflict due to their differing lifestyles (Ibn Ezra, Bereshit 46:34).
  • Divine Foresight: This separation later facilitated the Exodus, as the Israelites were already a distinct nation (Kli Yakar, Bereshit 46:34).

Halachic and Ethical Lessons

The verse also teaches broader principles:

  • Honesty in Representation: Yosef instructs his brothers to truthfully state their occupation, reinforcing the importance of integrity (Meshech Chochmah, Bereshit 46:34).
  • Prudent Diplomacy: Yosef’s advice demonstrates the value of tactful communication when dealing with foreign powers (Malbim, Bereshit 46:34).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why were shepherds considered an abomination to the Egyptians?
A: According to Rashi and other traditional Jewish sources, the Egyptians despised shepherds because they worshipped sheep and goats as deities. Therefore, those who herded these animals were seen as degrading their gods. This is why Yosef instructed his family to emphasize their occupation as shepherds, ensuring they would be settled separately in Goshen.
Q: Why did Yosef want his family to live in Goshen?
A: Yosef wanted his family to live in Goshen for several reasons: 1) It was a fertile land suitable for shepherds (Rashi on Genesis 45:10), 2) It kept them separate from Egyptian society, preserving their unique identity and avoiding assimilation (Ramban), and 3) The Egyptian disdain for shepherds ensured they would not mix with the general population (Midrash).
Q: What lesson can we learn from Yosef's strategy of emphasizing his family's shepherding background?
A: Yosef's approach teaches the importance of maintaining Jewish identity even in exile. By highlighting their distinct occupation, the Israelites remained separate from Egyptian culture. This reflects a principle found throughout Jewish history - maintaining our unique traditions and way of life even when living among other nations (based on teachings of the Rambam about Jewish identity in foreign lands).
Q: How does this verse relate to the Jewish people's experience in Egypt?
A: This verse sets the stage for the Jewish experience in Egypt by showing how they maintained their distinct identity from the beginning. Their separation in Goshen allowed them to grow into a nation while preserving their traditions, which was crucial for their eventual redemption (as explained in the Talmud, Pesachim 87b).
Q: Why does the Torah mention that they were shepherds 'from their youth'?
A: The emphasis on being shepherds 'from their youth' serves two purposes: 1) It shows this was their true and longstanding profession, not just a temporary claim (Rashi), and 2) It highlights that shepherding was the family tradition since the days of Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov - all of whom were shepherds (as noted in Midrash Bereishit Rabbah).