Genesis 46:33

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 46:33 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, and shall say, What is your occupation?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, and shall say, What is your occupation?

Genesis 46:33 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 46

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.

30And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, that thou art yet alive.

31And Joseph said unto his brethren, and unto his father`s house, I will go up, and tell Pharaoh, and will say unto him, My brethren, and my father`s house, who were in the land of Canaan, are come unto me;

32and the men are shepherds, for they have been keepers of cattle; and they have brought their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have.

33And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, and shall say, What is your occupation?

34that ye shall say, Thy servants have been keepers of cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians.

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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition

John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary

“And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, etc.] Order them to come before him, to see them, and have some conversation with them: and shall say, what [is] your occupation? or your works f1822, their business and employment, whether they exercised any manufacture or handicraft, and what it was.”

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Barnes' Notes

Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary

“- Jacob Goes Down to Egypt 9. פלוּא pallû', Pallu, “distinguished.” חצרן chetsrôn, Chetsron, of the “court,” or “village.” כרמי karmı̂y, Karmi, “vine-dresser.” 10. ימוּאל yemû'êl, Jemuel, “day of El.” ימין yâmı̂yn, Jamin, “right hand.” אהד 'ôhad, Ohad, “joining together.” יכין yâkı̂yn, Jakin, “he shall establish.” צחר tsôchar, Tsochar, “whiteness.” 11. גרשׁון gêreshôn, Gereshon, “expelling.” קהת qehâth, Qehath, “assembly.” מררי merârı̂y, Merari, “flowing, bitter.” 12. חמוּל châmûl, Chamul, “pitied, treated with mercy.” 13. תולע tôlâ‛, Tola‘, “worm, scarlet.” פוּה pû'âh, Puvvah, “mouth?” יוב yôb, Job, “enemy?” שׂמרן śı̂mrôn, Shimron, “watch.” 14. סרד sered, Sered, “fear.”…”

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Related study paths

Read Genesis 46 in context Browse Hebrew word studies Open this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification

Scripture text: American Standard Version (1901), public domain.
Historical commentary excerpts are attributed to the named author and work shown above.
Last text and source check: 20 August 2026