Yahweh allowed Israel to go to Egypt. He was to trust in Yahweh and his covenant faithfulness. God continued to bless them in Egypt. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#trust and /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#covenantfaith and /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#bless)
Because of the regular flooding of the Nile River, Egypt's economy revolved around farming more than raising animals. Therefore, the Egyptians despised the nomadic lifestyle of shepherds. Joseph's instructions permitted the Hebrew people to live separately from the Egyptians.
"came to Beersheba"
"Yes, I am listening"
It was common to use the phrase "go down" when speaking of traveling from Canaan to Egypt.
The "you" is singular and refers to Jacob. Here Jacob refers to his descendants that will become a large nation. Alternate translation: "I will give you many descendants, and they will become a great nation" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-you and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)
"to Egypt"
The promise was made to Jacob, but the promise would be fulfilled to all of Israel's descendants. Alternate translation: "I will surely bring your descendants out of Egypt again" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-you and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)
It was common to use the word "up" when speaking about traveling from Egypt to Canaan.
The phrase "close you eyes with his own hand" is a way of saying that Joseph will be present when Israel dies and it will be Joseph who will close Jacob's eyelids at the time of his death. Alternate translation: "Joseph will even be present with you at the time of your death" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-idiom)
It was a custom to pull down the eyelids when a person died with their eyes open. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)
"set out from"
"Carts" are wagons with two or four wheels. Animals pull the carts. See how you translated "carts" in Genesis 45:19.
"they had acquired" or "they had gained"
"Jacob brought with him"
"his grandsons"
"his granddaughters"
This refers to the names of the people that the author is about to list.
These are all names of men. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)
These are all names of men. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)
These are all names of men. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)
These were the sons of Judah by his wife, Shua. See how you translated these names in Genesis 38:3-5.
These were the sons of Judah by his daughter-in-law, Tamar. See how you translated these names in Genesis 38:29-30.
These are all names of men. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)
These are all names of men. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names). "Jashub" is spelled as "Lob" or "Iob" in some verions.
These are all names of men. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)
This is the name of Leah's daughter. See how you translated this name in Genesis 30:21. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)
Here "sons" and "daughters" refer to Jacob's sons, daughters, and grandchildren related to Leah. Alternate translation: "Altogether he had 33 sons, daughters, and grandchildren" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-numbers)
These are the names of men. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)
These are the names of men. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)
This is the name of a woman. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)
This is the name of Leah's female servant. See how you translated this name in Genesis 29:24. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)
This refers to 16 children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren that were related to Zilpah. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-numbers)
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a woman's name. See how you translated this in Genesis 41:45. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)
a man's name. See how you translated this in Genesis 41:45. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)
On is a city, also called Heliopolis, which was "the City of the Sun" and the center of worship of the sun god Ra. See how you translated this in Genesis 41:45. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)
These are names of men. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)
This refers to the 14 sons and grandsons related to Rachel. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-numbers)
This is the name of a man. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)
These are the names of men. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)
This is the name of Rachel's female servant. See how you translated this name in Genesis 29:29. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)
This refers to the 7 children and grandchildren related to Bilhah. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-numbers)
A person's "direct descendants" are natural sons, daughters, and grandchildren, not those who have become part of the family by marrying a direct descendant.
"66" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-numbers)
"70" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-numbers)
"to show them the way to Goshen"
Here "Joseph" stands for his servants. Alternate translation: "Joseph's servants prepared his chariot and Joseph went up" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)
The phrase "went up" is used because Joseph is traveling to a higher elevation to meet his father. Alternate translation: "went to meet Israel"
"put his arms around his father, and wept for a long time"
"Now I am ready to die" or "Now I will die happy"
Here "face" stands for the entire person. Jacob was expressing joy at seeing Joseph. Alternate translation: "since I have seen you alive again" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-synecdoche)
This is the beginning of a two-level quotation.
Here "house" stands for his family. Alternate translation: "his father's family" or "his father's household" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)
It was common to use the phrase "go up" when referring to someone going to speak with someone with greater authority. Alternate translation: "I will go tell Pharaoh"
The two-level quotation that began in verse 31 ends here.
The two-level quotation that began with the words "I will go up" in verse 31 ends here. This is a quotation within a quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: "I will go up and tell Pharaoh and say that my brothers and my father's house, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me. I will tell him that the men are shepherds, for they have been keepers of livestock, and that they have brought their flocks, their herds, and all that they have." (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotesinquotes and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotations)
This is the beginning of a two-level quotation.
This phrase is used here to mark an important event that is about to happen in the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
The two-level quotation that began in verse 33 ends here.
The two-level quotation that began with the words "when Pharaoh ... asks" in verse 33 ends here. This is a quotation within a quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation. "when Pharaoh ... asks what your occupation is, that you should say that you have been keepers of livestock from your youth until now, both you and your forefathers. Do this" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotesinquotes and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotations)
Joseph's family are to refer to themselves as "your servants" when they speak to Pharaoh. This is a formal way of speaking to someone with greater authority. It can be stated in the first person. Alternate translation: "We, your servants" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-123person)
The abstract noun "abomination" can be translated with the adjective "disgusting." Alternate translation: "Egyptians think shepherds are disgusting" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-abstractnouns)