Jacob Arrives in Egypt

Judah goes ahead to arrange the way to Goshen, and Joseph meets Israel there with tears and embrace. Seeing Joseph alive at last, Jacob says he can now die in peace.

N²⁸ow Jacob had sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to get directions to Goshen. When Jacob’s family arrived in the land of Goshen, ²⁹Joseph prepared his chariot and went there to meet his father Israel. Joseph presented himself to him, embraced him, and wept profusely. ³⁰Then Israel said to Joseph, “Finally I can die, now that I have seen your face and know that you are still alive!”

Joseph then prepares to tell Pharaoh that his family has arrived from Canaan as keepers of livestock. He instructs them how to answer so they may be allowed to live in Goshen, apart from Egyptian disdain for shepherds.

³¹Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “I will go up and inform Pharaoh: ‘My brothers and my father’s household from the land of Canaan have come to me. ³²The men are shepherds; they raise livestock, and they have brought their flocks and herds and all that they own.’ ³³When Pharaoh summons you and asks, ‘What is your occupation?’ ³⁴you are to say, ‘Your servants have raised livestock ever since our youth — both we and our fathers.’ Then you will be allowed to settle in the land of Goshen, since all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians.”