And he took some of his brethren, even {a} five men, and presented them unto Pharaoh.

(a) That the king might be assured that they had come, and to see what type of people they were.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

2. he took some of his brethren-probably the five eldest brothers: seniority being the least invidious principle of selection.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

47:1-6 Though Joseph was a great man, especially in Egypt, yet he owned his brethren. Let the rich and great in the world not overlook or despise poor relations. Our Lord Jesus is not ashamed to call us brethren. In answer to Pharaoh's inquiry, What is your calling? they told him that they were shepherds, adding that they were 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 active men. Whatever our business or employment is, we should aim to excel in it, and to prove ourselves clever and industrious.