Genesis 46:34

The land of Goshen. Goshen, in the eastern Delta region, was admirably suitable for flocks and herds. Though near the capital (ch. 45:10), it would isolate them from the Egyptians, and would permit them to live their own lives, continue their own culture, and serve their own God without offense to others. Furthermore, they would be comparatively near to Canaan, and could easily leave in a time of emergency. Joseph thus revealed insight into the destiny of his people, apparently realizing that the time would come when they would have to leave.

Every shepherd is an abomination. These are probably not the words of Joseph, but of Moses, the historian, given in explanation of Joseph’s advice and action. If his brothers should voice a desire to continue their occupation as shepherds, the king would most likely consent to their settling in the region of Goshen, which would isolate them from the valley of the Nile and most Egyptians. Moses’ evaluation of the Egyptian attitude toward shepherds is corroborated later by Greek writers (Herodotus, ii. 47, 164) and by Josephus (Antiquities ii. 7. 5), as earlier by pictorial representations in paintings and reliefs. Shepherds are frequently represented as miserable creatures, dirty and unshaven, naked and half starved, and often either lame or deformed.