Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 6. In the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell] So it appears that the land of Goshen was the best of the land of Egypt.
Men of activity] lyj yna anshey chayil, stout or robust men - such as were capable of bearing fatigue, and of rendering their authority respectable.
Rulers over my cattle.] hnqm mikneh signifies not only cattle, but possessions or property of any kind; though most usually cattle are intended, because in ancient times they constituted the principal part of a man's property. The word may be taken here in a more extensive sense, and the circumstances of the case seem obviously to require it. If every shepherd was an abomination to the Egyptians, however we may understand or qualify the expression, is it to be supposed that Pharaoh should desire that the brethren of his prime minister, of his chief favourite, should be employed in some of the very meanest offices in the land? We may therefore safely understand Pharaoh as expressing his will, that the brethren of Joseph should be appointed as overseers or superintendents of his domestic concerns, while Joseph superintended those of the state.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-6 - Though Joseph was a great man, especially in Egypt, yet he owned his brethren. Let the rich and great in the world not overlook or despis poor relations. Our Lord Jesus is not ashamed to call us brethren. I answer to Pharaoh's inquiry, What is your calling? they told him tha they were shepherds, adding that they were come to sojourn in the lan for a time, while the famine prevailed in Canaan. Pharaoh offered to employ them as shepherds, provided they were active men. Whatever ou business or employment is, we should aim to excel in it, and to prove ourselves clever and industrious.
Original Hebrew ארץ776 מצרים4714 לפניך6440 הוא1931 במיטב4315 הארץ776 הושׁב3427 את853 אביך1 ואת853 אחיך251 ישׁבו3427 בארץ776 גשׁן1657 ואם518 ידעת3045 וישׁ3426 בם אנשׁי376 חיל2428 ושׂמתם7760 שׂרי8269 מקנה4735 על5921 אשׁר׃834
