John Calvin Commentary Genesis 47:6

"the land of Egypt is before thee; in the best of the land make thy father and thy brethren to dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell: and if thou knowest any able men among them, then make them rulers over my cattle." — Genesis 47:6 (ASV)

The land of Egypt. This is recorded not only to show that Jacob was courteously received, but also that nothing was given to him by Joseph except at the king’s command. For the greater his power, the more strictly he was bound to take care, so that by being liberal with the king’s property, he would not defraud both the king and his people.

And I wish that this moderation prevailed so much among the nobles of the world that they would conduct themselves in their private affairs no differently than if they were plebeians. But now, it seems to them they have no power unless they can prove it by their license to sin.

And although Joseph, by the king’s permission, places his family among the best pastures, he still does not avail himself of the other portion of the royal generosity—that of making his brothers keepers of the king’s cattle. He refrains from this not only because this privilege would have aroused the envy of many against them, but also because he was unwilling to be entangled in such a snare.