Joseph is preparing his family for their audience with Pharaoh. He expects Pharaoh to ask, "What is your occupation?" and he tells them to answer plainly that they have kept cattle "from our youth even until now" (Genesis 46:33-34). His stated purpose is "that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians" (Genesis 46:34).

Keil & Delitzsch say the answer would secure Goshen for them, "and that their national and religious independence might not be endangered by too close an intercourse with the Egyptians." Matthew Henry gives two reasons: living apart would keep them from "being infected by the vices of the Egyptians" and from being insulted by them, and staying shepherds would keep them from posts at court that "would have tempted them to forget Canaan and the promise made unto their fathers." Gill gives similar reasons, and adds that Goshen was rich in pasture and nearest to Canaan.

Joseph gives the answer himself: "That ye shall say, Thy servants' trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers" (Genesis 46:34). When the moment came, Pharaoh asked exactly that, and the brothers said, "Thy servants are shepherds, both we, and also our fathers" (Genesis 47:3). They asked to "dwell in the land of Goshen" (Genesis 47:4), and Pharaoh told Joseph, "in the land of Goshen let them dwell" (Genesis 47:6).

On his way to Egypt, God had told Jacob, "fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation" (Genesis 46:3). Joseph's careful plan helped make room for that promise. In Goshen the family could stay together and stay distinct, and soon we read, "they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly" (Genesis 47:27).

Matthew Henry also sees grace in Joseph's care for the brothers who once sold him: "Time was when they were contriving to get rid of him; now he is contriving to settle them to their satisfaction and advantage: this is rendering good for evil." Goshen would later be the land God set apart during the plagues: "I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell" (Exodus 8:22).