7/27/2008

Egyptians and Shepherds

Genesis 46:31-34 - Then Joseph said to his brothers and to his father's household, "I will go up and speak to Pharaoh and will say to him, 'My brothers and my father's household, who were living in the land of Canaan, have come to me. The men are shepherds; they tend livestock, and they have brought along their flocks and herds and everything they own.' When Pharaoh calls you in and asks, 'What is your occupation?' you should answer, 'Your servants have tended livestock from our boyhood on, just as our fathers did.' Then you will be allowed to settle in the region of Goshen, for all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians."

Why were shepherds detestable to Egyptians? I bet they didn't mind the animals they tended -- the stuff made from the wool or the mutton they could eat -- or did they?

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