Genesis 42
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Jacob saw that there was corn - That is, Jacob heard from the report of others that there was plenty in Egypt. The operations of one sense, in Hebrew, are often put for those of another. Before agriculture was properly known and practiced, famines were frequent; Canaan seems to have been peculiarly vexed by them. There was one in this land in the time of Abraham, Gen 12:10; another in the days of Isaac, Gen 26:1; and now a third in the time of Jacob. To this St. Stephen alludes, Act 7:11 : there was great affliction, and our fathers found no sustenance.
Open source ↗JOURNEY INTO EGYPT. (Gen. 42:1-38) Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt--learned from common rumor. It is evident from Jacob's language that his own and his sons' families had suffered greatly from the scarcity; and through the increasing severity of the scourge, those men, who had formerly shown both activity and spirit, were sinking into despondency. God would not interpose miraculously when natural means of preservation were within reach.
Open source ↗Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt,.... That is, to be sold there, or otherwise it being there, unless it could be bought, would have been of no avail to foreigners; wherefore the Septuagint version is, that there was a sale (w) there, a sale of corn; the word has the signification of "breaking" (x) in it, because that bread corn is broke in the mill, or is broken from the heap when sold or distributed, or because when eaten it breaks the fast. Now Jacob had either seen persons passing by with corn, of whom he inquired from whence they had it, who replied, from Egypt; or he understood by the report of others that corn was to be bought there; though some of the Jewish writers would have it, as Jarchi observes, that he saw it by the revelation of the Holy Spirit: Jacob said unto, his sons, why do ye look one upon another? like persons in surprise, distress and despair, at their wits' end, not knowing what to do, what course to take, and which way to turn themselves, and scarce able to speak to one another, and consult with each other what was proper to be done; for it seems not so agreeable that they should be charged as idle persons, careless and unconcerned, indifferent and inactive; but rather, if the other sense is not acceptable, the meaning may be, "why do ye look?" (y) here and there, in the land of Canaan, where it is to no purpose to look for corn; look where it is to be had. (w) Sept. "frumentum venale", Schmidt; so Ainsworth, and the Targum of Jonathan. (x) "Fractio", Montanus, Munster, Piscator. (y) "ut quid circumspicitis", Schmidt.
Open source ↗With the words "Why do ye look at one another!" viz., in such a helpless and undecided manner. Jacob exhorted his sons to fetch corn from Egypt, to preserve his family from starvation. Joseph's ten brothers went, as their aged father would not allow his youngest son Benjamin to go with them, for fear that some calamity might befall him (קרא = קרה, Gen 44:29 as in Gen 42:38 and Gen 49:1); and they came "in the midst of the comers," i.e., among others who came from the same necessity, and bowed down before Joseph with their faces to the earth. For he was "the ruler over the land," and had the supreme control of the sale of the corn, so that they were obliged to apply to him. השּׁלּיט seems to have been the standing title which the Shemites gave to Joseph as ruler in Egypt; and from this the later legend of Σάλατις the first king of the Hyksos arose (Josephus c. Ap. i. 14). The only other passages in which the word occurs in the Old Testament are in writings of the captivity or a still later date, and there it is taken from the Chaldee; it belongs, however, not merely to the Aramaean thesaurus, but to the Arabic also, from which it was introduced into the passage before us.
Open source ↗Though Jacob's sons were all married, and had families of their own, yet, it should seem, they were still incorporated in one society, under the conduct and presidency of their father Jacob. We have here, I. The orders he gave them to go and buy corn in Egypt, Gen 42:1, Gen 42:2. Observe, 1. The famine was grievous in the land of Canaan. It is observable that all the three patriarches, to whom Canaan was the land of promise, met with famine in that land, which was not only to try their faith, whether they could trust God though he should slay them, though he should starve them, but to teach them to seek the better country, that is, the heavenly, Heb 11:14-16. We have need of something to wean us from this world, and make us long for a better. 2. Still, when there was famine in Canaan, there was corn in Egypt. Thus Providence orders it, that one place should be a succour and supply to another; for we are all brethren. The Egyptians, the seed of accursed Ham, have plenty, when God's blessed Israel want: Thus God, in dispensing common favours, often crosses hands. Yet observe, The plenty Egypt now had was owing, under God, to Joseph's prudence and care: if his brethren had not sold him into Egypt, but respected him according to his merits, who knows but he might have done the same thing for Jacob's family which now he had done for Pharaoh, and the Egyptians might then have come to them to buy corn? but those who drive away from among them wise and good men know not what they do. 3. Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt; he saw the corn that his neighbours had bought there and brought home. It is a spur to exertion to see where supplies are to be had, and to see others supplied. Shall others get food for their souls, and shall we starve while it is to be had? 4. He reprove…
Open source ↗42:1–47:31 God used the famine to bring Israel to Egypt under Joseph’s rule, thus fulfilling two prophecies (15:13; 37:7-11). 42:1–44:34 Joseph did several unusual things to his brothers when they came looking for grain. The last time Joseph had been with them, they were filled with jealousy, hatred, and anger; they attempted to destroy their brother, and they deceived their father. Joseph put them through various tests, similar to the trying situations they had put him through, to see if they had changed.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… יֵשׁ (yêsh, H3426) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection) שֶׁבֶר (sheber, H7668) — grain (as if broken into kernels) מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… יֵשׁ (yêsh, H3426) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection) שֶׁבֶר (sheber, H7668) — grain (as if broken into kernels) מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… שָׁבַר (shâbar, H7666) — to deal in grain חָיָה (châyâh, H2421) — to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
Open source ↗יוֹסֵף (Yôwçêph, H3130) — Joseph, the name of seven Israelites עֶשֶׂר (ʻeser, H6235) — ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits) אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… שָׁבַר (shâbar, H7666) — to deal in grain בָּר (bâr, H1250) — grain of any kind (even while standing in the field); by extension the open country מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt
Open source ↗בִּנְיָמִין (Binyâmîyn, H1144) — Binjamin, youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory יוֹסֵף (Yôwçêph, H3130) — Joseph, the name of seven Israelites אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) פֵּן (pên, H6435) — properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest אָסוֹן (ʼâçôwn, H611) — hurt קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7122) — to encounter, whether accidentally or in a hostile manner
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) שָׁבַר (shâbar, H7666) — to deal in grain תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre רָעָב (râʻâb, H7458) — hunger (more or less extensive) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) כְּנַעַן (Kᵉnaʻan, H3667) — Kenaan, a son a Ham; also the country inhabited by him
Open source ↗יוֹסֵף (Yôwçêph, H3130) — Joseph, the name of seven Israelites שַׁלִּיט (shallîyṭ, H7989) — potent; concretely, a prince or warrior אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) שָׁבַר (shâbar, H7666) — to deal in grain עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) שָׁחָה (shâchâh, H7812) — to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God) אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the…
Open source ↗יוֹסֵף (Yôwçêph, H3130) — Joseph, the name of seven Israelites רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… נָכַר (nâkar, H5234) — properly, to scrutinize, i.e. look intently at; hence (with recognition implied), to… דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… קָשֶׁה (qâsheh, H7186) — severe (in various applications) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אַיִן (ʼayin, H370) — where? (only in connection with prepositional prefix, whence) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) כְּנַעַן (Kᵉnaʻan, H3667) — Kenaan, a son a Ham; also the country inhabited by him שָׁבַר (shâbar, H7666) — to deal in grain אֹכֶל (ʼôkel, H400) — food
Open source ↗יוֹסֵף (Yôwçêph, H3130) — Joseph, the name of seven Israelites נָכַר (nâkar, H5234) — properly, to scrutinize, i.e. look intently at; hence (with recognition implied), to… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or…
Open source ↗יוֹסֵף (Yôwçêph, H3130) — Joseph, the name of seven Israelites זָכַר (zâkar, H2142) — properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention;… חֲלוֹם (chălôwm, H2472) — a dream חָלַם (châlam, H2492) — properly, to bind firmly, i.e. (by implication) to be (causatively to make) plump; also… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) רָגַל (râgal, H7270) — to walk along; but only in specifically, applications, to reconnoiter, to be atale-bearer… רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… עֶרְוָה (ʻervâh, H6172) — nudity, literally (especially the pudenda) or figuratively (disgrace, blemish) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) שָׁבַר (shâbar, H7666) — to deal in grain אֹכֶל (ʼôkel, H400) — food עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Open source ↗נַחְנוּ (nachnûw, H5168) — we אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… כֵּן (kên, H3651) — properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or… עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant רָגַל (râgal, H7270) — to walk along; but only in specifically, applications, to reconnoiter, to be atale-bearer…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… עֶרְוָה (ʻervâh, H6172) — nudity, literally (especially the pudenda) or figuratively (disgrace, blemish) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold עָשָׂר (ʻâsâr, H6240) — ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) כְּנַעַן (Kᵉnaʻan, H3667) — Kenaan, a son a Ham; also the country inhabited by him קָטָן (qâṭân, H6996) — abbreviated, i.e. diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Open source ↗יוֹסֵף (Yôwçêph, H3130) — Joseph, the name of seven Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… רָגַל (râgal, H7270) — to walk along; but only in specifically, applications, to reconnoiter, to be atale-bearer…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers on their first visit.
But the LORD said to Joshua, “Stand up! Why have you fallen on your face?
Get up, for this matter is your responsibility, and we will support you. Be strong and take action!”
Why are we just sitting here? Gather together, let us flee to the fortified cities and perish there, for the LORD our God has doomed us. He has given us poisoned water to drink, because we have sinned against the LORD.
the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. And although there was famine in every country, there was food throughout the land of Egypt.
When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sounding of the ram’s horn, and the mountain enveloped in smoke, they trembled and stood at a distance.
“Look,” he added, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.”
On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted to preach the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised.
The Israelite foremen realized they were in trouble when they were told, “You must not reduce your daily quota of bricks.”
When Ephraim saw his sickness and Judah his wound, then Ephraim turned to Assyria and sent to the great king. But he cannot cure you or heal your wound.