Genesis 43:32

32. For him by himself He thus maintained his distinction of rank and caste, and conformed to Egyptian ideas and customs .

Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews Herodotus (ii, 41) says: “No Egyptian, man or woman, will kiss a Grecian on the mouth, or use the knife, spit, or caldron of a Greek, or taste the flesh of a pure ox that has been divided by a Grecian knife . ” This same fear of contamination was doubtless held with regard to other nations as well as the Greeks . The Egyptians held in abomination those who slaughtered cows and oxen, animals which they held in highest reverence . Hence it was that they despised shepherds . Genesis 46:34.