They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians don’t eat with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 32. Hebrews. “They had the same aversion for all who did not adopt their superstition.” Porphyr. Abstin. iv. Herod. ii. 41. says, that would not use a knife which had been in the hands of a Greek, nor kiss him. This aversion arose, from their custom of abstaining from various meats which other nations eat. Chald. and so forth They disliked the Hebrews, because they were also shepherds, Calmet. 46:34 ( Calmet.); and because they knew they were accustomed to eat goats, oxen, and sheep, the objects of adoration in Egypt, (Exod. 8:26.): though they were not, probably, served upon Joseph’s table. Tirinus.—They who dwelt in the towns could not bear even the Egyptian shepherds, because they were of a more stirring and warlike temper. Calmet. Cunæus.