Genesis 47:6 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Make them rulers over my cattle— These words seem much to strengthen the interpretation of the last verse in the former chapter, which affirms, that shepherds were not held as impious and profane by the AEgyptians, but only as men of a mean and despicable profession: and, indeed, one can hardly conceive, that a man of Joseph's understanding would have introduced his family to Pharaoh, under a character profane and detestable to the AEgyptians. He had good reasons for desiring that they should assume a character, which was rather contemptible, as he wished them to be fixed in Goshen, and to be preserved distinct from all commerce with the AEgyptians. He wanted them not to become courtiers, or to be employed in any concerns of the state: he knew the designs of Providence with respect to them, and therefore chose that they should assume an employment which would continue them in that state of sojourning, whereto the Abrahamic family were destined, till the time appointed for their complete possession of Canaan. Much of the Eastern riches consisted in cattle, and great part of the king's revenue was raised from them; on which account there were some prime officers, to oversee the lower sort of shepherds. Such was Doeg to Saul, 1 Samuel 21:7 and those officers mentioned, 1 Chronicles 27:29; 1 Chronicles 27:34. and such was Tyrrhus to king Latinus, "Tyrrhus, chief master of the royal herd." PITT. "————Cui regia parent Armenta, et lati custodia eredita campi." VIRG. AEn. vii. 485, 486.