Matthew Henry Commentary Genesis 47:1-6

"Then Joseph went in and told Pharaoh, and said, My father and my brethren, and their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have, are come out of the land of Canaan; and, behold, they are in the land of Goshen. And from among his brethren he took five men, and presented them unto Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said unto his brethren, What is your occupation? And they said unto Pharaoh, Thy servants are shepherds, both we, and our fathers. And they said unto Pharaoh, To sojourn in the land are we come; for there is no pasture for thy servants` flocks; for the famine is sore in the land of Canaan: now therefore, we pray thee, let thy servants dwell in the land of Goshen. And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, saying, Thy father and thy brethren are come unto thee: 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 47:1-6 (ASV)

Though Joseph was a great man, especially in Egypt, he still acknowledged his brothers. Let the rich and great in the world not overlook or despise their poor relations. Our Lord Jesus is not ashamed to call us brethren.

In answer to Pharaoh's inquiry, "What is your occupation?" they told him that they were shepherds. They added that they had come to sojourn in the land for a time while the famine prevailed in Canaan.

Pharaoh offered to employ them as shepherds, provided they were capable men. Whatever our business or employment may be, we should aim to excel in it and to prove ourselves skillful and industrious.