Definition: That ye shall say, Thy servantsâ trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, [and] also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd [is] an abomination unto the Egyptians.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse together. It's a really important passage from Genesis about a specific group of people and their relationship with Egypt. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Story: This verse comes after God tells Jacob (later called Israel) that he needs to find a place for his family to live. He asks him to ask God for guidance, and God tells him to “go to the land of Goshen.” This land was a special, protected area in Egypt. What’s Happening? “That ye shall say…” : This is a direct command from God. “…Thy servantsâ trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now…” : God tells Jacob that his family has been trading with livestock (cattle, sheep, etc.) for generations – almost since the beginning of time! It's a significant amount of work and business. "...both we, [and] also our fathers:" : This means that this tradition has been passed down through generations of Jacob’s family. It shows how deeply ingrained it is in their history. “…that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen…” : This is the key point. God wants Jacob to make a specific choice: live in Goshen . "...for every shepherd [is] an abomination unto the Egyptians.” : This is where it gets really interesting. Egyptians (the people living in Egypt) have a strong aversion to shepherds – they believe them to be unclean and cursed. Putting It All Together: So, God is telling Jacob that his family has been consistently trading with Egypt for thousands of years. This trade isn’t just about money; it's a deeply ingrained tradition that Egyptians dislike . Because of this history, God wants Jacob to choose to live in Goshen, a place specifically designated for Jewish people – a safe and blessed area. In essence, the verse is saying: "We have been trading with Egypt for a long time, and because of it, we are destined to live in Goshen." Why is this important? This story shows that God has a plan for his people, even when they're dealing with difficult situations. It highlights the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God’s will, which ultimately leads to a blessed future. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part in more detail? Connect this verse to other parts of the Bible? Give you a different perspective on the story?