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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 42:2 "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."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/42-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/01_Gen_42_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 42:2 - Joseph's Brothers Sent to Egypt" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Look, he added, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. 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Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/genesis/42.htm">New Living Translation</a> I have heard there is grain in Egypt. Go down there, and buy enough grain to keep us alive. Otherwise we’ll die.” <a href="/esv/genesis/42.htm">English Standard Version</a> And he said, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain for sale in Egypt. Go down and buy grain for us there, that we may live and not die.” <a href="/bsb/genesis/42.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “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.” <a href="/kjv/genesis/42.htm">King James Bible</a> And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die. <a href="/nkjv/genesis/42.htm">New King James Version</a> And he said, “Indeed I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down to that place and buy for us there, that we may live and not die.” <a href="/nasb_/genesis/42.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then he said, “Look, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down there and buy some for us from that place, so that we may live and not die.” <a href="/nasb/genesis/42.htm">NASB 1995</a> He said, &#8220Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down there and buy some for us from that place, so that we may live and not die.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/genesis/42.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And he said, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down there and buy some for us from that place, so that we may live and not die.” <a href="/lsb/genesis/42.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then he said, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down there and buy some for us from there, so that we may live and not die.” <a href="/amp/genesis/42.htm">Amplified Bible</a> He said, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down there and buy [some] grain for us, so that we may live and not die [of starvation].” <a href="/csb/genesis/42.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Listen,” he went on, “I have heard there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us so that we will live and not die.” <a href="/hcsb/genesis/42.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Listen,&#8221 he went on, &#8220I have heard there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us so that we will live and not die.&#8221 <a href="/asv/genesis/42.htm">American Standard Version</a> And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die. <a href="/cev/genesis/42.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> I have heard there is grain in Egypt. Go down and buy some, so we won't starve to death." <a href="/erv/genesis/42.htm">English Revised Version</a> And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die. <a href="/gwt/genesis/42.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> I've heard there's grain for sale in Egypt. Go there and buy some for us so that we won't starve to death." <a href="/gnt/genesis/42.htm">Good News Translation</a> I hear that there is grain in Egypt; go there and buy some to keep us from starving to death." <a href="/isv/genesis/42.htm">International Standard Version</a> Pay attention now! I've heard that there is grain in Egypt, so go down there and buy some grain for us, so we can live, instead of dying." <a href="/msb/genesis/42.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?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.? <a href="/net/genesis/42.htm">NET Bible</a> He then said, "Look, I hear that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy grain for us so that we may live and not die." <a href="/nheb/genesis/42.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> He said, "Look, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us from there, so that we may live and not die." <a href="/wbt/genesis/42.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: go down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die. <a href="/web/genesis/42.htm">World English Bible</a> He said, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there, and buy for us from there, so that we may live, and not die.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/42.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> He also says, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt, go down there, and buy for us from there, and we live and do not die”; <a href="/ylt/genesis/42.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> he saith also, 'Lo, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt, go down thither, and buy for us from thence, and we live and do not die;' <a href="/slt/genesis/42.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Behold I heard that there is selling in Egypt: go ye there, and buy grain for us from thence; and we shall live and shall not die.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/42.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> I have heard that wheat is sold in Egypt: go ye down, and buy us necessaries, that we may live, and not be consumed with want. <a href="/cpdv/genesis/42.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> I have heard that wheat is being sold in Egypt. Go down and buy necessities for us, so that we may be able to live, and not be consumed by destitution.” <a href="/nabre/genesis/42.htm">New American Bible</a> He went on, “I hear that grain is for sale in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, that we may stay alive and not die.” <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/42.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> I have heard,” he said, “that there is grain in Egypt; go down and buy grain for us there, that we may live and not die.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/42.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down there, and buy for us from there; that we may live, and not die. <a href="/hpbt/genesis/42.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Behold, I heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down there and buy for us there, and we will live and we will not die.”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/42.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And he said: 'Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt. Get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die.' <a href="/sep/genesis/42.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt; go down thither, and buy for us a little food, that we may live, and not die. <a href="/parallel/genesis/42-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=10772" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/genesis/42.htm">Joseph's Brothers Sent to Egypt</a> 1When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why are you staring at one another?” 2<a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: hin·nêh (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">“Look,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">he added,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: šā·ma‘·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">“I have heard</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/3426.htm" title="3426: yeš- (Adv) -- Being, substance, existence, is. ">there is</a> <a href="/hebrew/7668.htm" title="7668: še·ḇer (N-ms) -- Corn, grain. The same as sheber; grain.">grain</a> <a href="/hebrew/4714.htm" title="4714: bə·miṣ·rā·yim (Prep-b:: N-proper-fs) -- A son of Ham, also his desc. and their country in N.W. Africa. Dual of matsowr; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt.">in Egypt.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3381.htm" title="3381: rə·ḏū- (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To come or go down, descend. ">Go down</a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: šām·māh (Adv:: 3fs) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence.">there</a> <a href="/hebrew/7666.htm" title="7666: wə·šiḇ·rū- (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To buy grain. Denominative from sheber; to deal in grain.">and buy</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- ">some for us,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: miš·šām (Prep-m:: Adv) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2421.htm" title="2421: wə·niḥ·yeh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf.h-1cp) -- To live, to revive. A primitive root; to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive.">so that we may live</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">and not</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: nā·mūṯ (V-Qal-Imperf-1cp) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">die.”</a> 3So ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/41-56.htm">Genesis 41:56-57</a> When the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened up all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians; for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. / And every nation came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth. <a href="/genesis/43-1.htm">Genesis 43:1-2</a> Now the famine was still severe in the land. / So when Jacob’s sons had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go back and buy us a little more food.” <a href="/genesis/45-5.htm">Genesis 45:5-7</a> And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you. / For the famine has covered the land these two years, and there will be five more years without plowing or harvesting. / God sent me before you to preserve you as a remnant on the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. <a href="/genesis/47-13.htm">Genesis 47:13-15</a> There was no food, however, in all that region, because the famine was so severe; the lands of Egypt and Canaan had been exhausted by the famine. / Joseph collected all the money to be found in the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan in exchange for the grain they were buying, and he brought it into Pharaoh’s palace. / When the money from the lands of Egypt and Canaan was gone, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, “Give us food. Why should we die before your eyes? For our funds have run out!” <a href="/acts/7-11.htm">Acts 7:11-12</a> Then famine and great suffering swept across Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers could not find food. / When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers on their first visit. <a href="/genesis/12-10.htm">Genesis 12:10</a> Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. <a href="/genesis/26-1.htm">Genesis 26:1</a> Now there was another famine in the land, subsequent to the one that had occurred in Abraham’s time. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines at Gerar. <a href="/genesis/50-20.htm">Genesis 50:20</a> As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people. <a href="/psalms/105-16.htm">Psalm 105:16-17</a> He called down famine on the land and cut off all their supplies of food. / He sent a man before them—Joseph, sold as a slave. <a href="/acts/11-28.htm">Acts 11:28-29</a> One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted through the Spirit that a great famine would sweep across the whole world. (This happened under Claudius.) / So the disciples, each according to his ability, decided to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. <a href="/2_kings/8-1.htm">2 Kings 8:1-2</a> Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Arise, you and your household; go and live as a foreigner wherever you can. For the LORD has decreed that a seven-year famine will come to the land.” / So the woman had proceeded to do as the man of God had instructed. And she and her household lived as foreigners for seven years in the land of the Philistines. <a href="/ruth/1-1.htm">Ruth 1:1</a> In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. And a certain man from Bethlehem in Judah, with his wife and two sons, went to reside in the land of Moab. <a href="/matthew/2-13.htm">Matthew 2:13-15</a> When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.” / So he got up, took the Child and His mother by night, and withdrew to Egypt, / where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” <a href="/hebrews/11-20.htm">Hebrews 11:20-21</a> By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning the future. / By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff. <a href="/luke/4-25.htm">Luke 4:25-26</a> But I tell you truthfully that there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and great famine swept over all the land. / Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to the widow of Zarephath in Sidon.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from there; that we may live, and not die.get you.<a href="/genesis/43-2.htm">Genesis 43:2,4</a> And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food… <a href="/genesis/45-9.htm">Genesis 45:9</a> Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not:that we.<a href="/genesis/43-8.htm">Genesis 43:8</a> And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones.<a href="/psalms/118-17.htm">Psalm 118:17</a> I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.<a href="/isaiah/38-1.htm">Isaiah 38:1</a> In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/41-57.htm">Buy</a> <a href="/genesis/40-4.htm">Continued</a> <a href="/genesis/42-1.htm">Corn</a> <a href="/genesis/41-13.htm">Death</a> <a href="/genesis/38-11.htm">Die</a> <a href="/genesis/42-1.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/genesis/42-1.htm">Grain</a> <a href="/genesis/41-15.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/genesis/35-1.htm">Live</a> <a href="/genesis/38-13.htm">News</a> <a href="/genesis/30-32.htm">Thence</a> <a href="/genesis/39-1.htm">Thither</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/42-3.htm">Buy</a> <a href="/exodus/36-3.htm">Continued</a> <a href="/genesis/42-3.htm">Corn</a> <a href="/genesis/42-20.htm">Death</a> <a href="/genesis/42-20.htm">Die</a> <a href="/genesis/42-3.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/genesis/42-3.htm">Grain</a> <a href="/genesis/43-25.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/genesis/42-18.htm">Live</a> <a href="/genesis/45-16.htm">News</a> <a href="/genesis/42-26.htm">Thence</a> <a href="/exodus/2-12.htm">Thither</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 42</div>1. <a href="/genesis/42-1.htm">Jacob sends his ten sons to buy grain in Egypt.</a> 16. <a href="/genesis/42-16.htm">They are imprisoned by Joseph as spies.</a> 18. <a href="/genesis/42-18.htm">They are set at liberty, on condition to bring Benjamin.</a> 21. <a href="/genesis/42-21.htm">They have remorse for Joseph.</a> 24. <a href="/genesis/42-24.htm">Simeon is kept for a pledge.</a> 25. <a href="/genesis/42-25.htm">They return with grain, and their money.</a> 29. <a href="/genesis/42-29.htm">Their relation to Jacob.</a> 36. <a href="/genesis/42-36.htm">Jacob refuses to send Benjamin.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/42.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/42.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>“Look,” he added, This phrase indicates urgency and attention. The speaker, Jacob, is addressing his sons with a sense of immediacy. In the broader narrative, this moment comes after a period of famine, highlighting the dire circumstances faced by Jacob's family. The use of "Look" serves to focus the attention of his sons on the critical situation at hand.“I have heard that there is grain in Egypt.” Egypt was known in the ancient world for its fertile land, particularly the Nile Delta, which allowed it to be a breadbasket during times of famine. Historically, Egypt's ability to store and manage grain supplies was well-documented, making it a logical place for surrounding nations to seek sustenance during shortages. This phrase also foreshadows the unfolding of God's plan, as Joseph, Jacob's son, is in Egypt and has risen to a position of power, unbeknownst to his family.Go down there and buy some for us, The directive to "go down" reflects the geographical reality that Canaan, where Jacob and his family resided, is situated at a higher elevation compared to Egypt. This journey was not merely a physical descent but also a significant step in the unfolding of God's providential plan. The act of buying grain indicates the economic transactions that were common in the ancient Near East, where trade routes facilitated the exchange of goods.so that we may live and not die.” This phrase underscores the severity of the famine and the desperation of Jacob's family. The contrast between life and death is stark, emphasizing the critical nature of their situation. This moment is pivotal in the narrative, as it sets the stage for the eventual reunion of Joseph with his brothers. Theologically, it reflects the theme of God's provision and the preservation of the covenant family, which is central to the Genesis narrative. The preservation of life here can also be seen as a type of Christ, who provides spiritual sustenance and life to those who are perishing.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob (Israel)</a> The patriarch of the Israelite family, father of the twelve tribes. In this verse, he is taking action to ensure the survival of his family during a severe famine. 2. <a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a> A neighboring country to Canaan, known for its abundance and resources. It becomes a place of refuge and provision during the famine. 3. <a href="/topical/f/famine.htm">Famine</a> A severe shortage of food affecting the land of Canaan, prompting Jacob to send his sons to Egypt for grain. 4. <a href="/topical/j/joseph's_brothers.htm">Joseph's Brothers</a> The sons of Jacob, who are sent to Egypt to buy grain. Their journey sets the stage for a significant family reunion and reconciliation. 5. <a href="/topical/g/grain.htm">Grain</a> The essential commodity needed for survival, symbolizing God's provision during times of need.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_provision.htm">Trust in God's Provision</a> Just as Jacob trusted that there would be grain in Egypt, we are called to trust in God's provision in our times of need. God often provides through unexpected means and places. <a href="/topical/t/taking_action_in_faith.htm">Taking Action in Faith</a> Jacob's decision to send his sons to Egypt demonstrates the importance of taking practical steps in faith. We are encouraged to act wisely and trust that God will guide our steps. <a href="/topical/f/family_and_reconciliation.htm">Family and Reconciliation</a> This passage sets the stage for the eventual reconciliation between Joseph and his brothers. It reminds us of the importance of seeking reconciliation and healing in our own family relationships. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_difficult_times.htm">God's Sovereignty in Difficult Times</a> The famine and the journey to Egypt highlight God's sovereignty and His ability to use difficult circumstances for His purposes. We can find comfort in knowing that God is in control, even in challenging times.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_42.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 42</a> <a href="/q/evidence_of_famines_in_joseph's_era.htm">Does any historical or archaeological evidence confirm widespread famines in this region during Joseph's time (Genesis 42)?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_genesis_42_fit_genesis_28_10-15.htm">How does the narrative reconcile with earlier promises of prosperity to Jacob's family (Genesis 28:10-15) when they face such dire circumstances (Genesis 42)?</a> <a href="/q/is_a_long_famine_credible_without_evidence.htm">(Genesis 43:2) How credible is it that a single famine could last so long without any corroborating historical or archaeological evidence?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'travail'_mean_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Judah in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/42.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 2. - And he said, Behold, I have heard (this does not imply that the rumor had not also reached Jacob's sons, but only that the proposal to visit Egypt did not originate with them) that there is corn - שֶׁבֶר ut supra, σῖτος ( LXX.), triticum (Vulgate) - in Egypt: get you down thither. That Jacob did not, like Abraham (<a href="/genesis/12-10.htm">Genesis 12:10</a>)and Isaac (<a href="/genesis/26-2.htm">Genesis 26:2</a>), propose to remove his family to Egypt, may be explained either by the length of the journey, which was too great for so large a household, or by the circumstance that the famine prevailed in Egypt as well as Canaan (Gerlach). That he entrusted his sons, and not his servants, with the mission, though perhaps dictated by a sense of its importance (Lawson), was clearly of Divine arrangement for the further accomplishment of the Divine plan concerning Joseph and his brethren. And buy (i.e. buy corn, the verb being a denominative from שֶׁבֶר, corn) for us from thence. From this it is apparent that the hitherto abundant flocks and herds of the patriarchal family had been greatly reduced by the long-continued and severe drought, thus requiring them to obtain food from Egypt, if either any portion of their flocks were to be saved, or themselves to escape starvation, as the patriarch explained to his sons. That we may (literally, and we shall) live, and not die. <a href="/commentaries/genesis/42-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>“Look,” הִנֵּ֣ה (hin·nêh) Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2009.htm">Strong's 2009: </a> Lo! behold! he added, וַיֹּ֕אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “I have heard שָׁמַ֔עְתִּי (šā·ma‘·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> To hear intelligently that כִּ֥י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction there is יֶשׁ־ (yeš-) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3426.htm">Strong's 3426: </a> Being, substance, existence, is grain שֶׁ֖בֶר (še·ḇer) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7668.htm">Strong's 7668: </a> Corn, grain in Egypt. בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם (bə·miṣ·rā·yim) Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4714.htm">Strong's 4714: </a> Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa Go down רְדוּ־ (rə·ḏū-) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3381.htm">Strong's 3381: </a> To come or go down, descend there שָׁ֙מָּה֙ (šām·māh) Adverb | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8033.htm">Strong's 8033: </a> There, then, thither and buy וְשִׁבְרוּ־ (wə·šiḇ·rū-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7666.htm">Strong's 7666: </a> To deal in grain some for us, לָ֣נוּ (lā·nū) Preposition | first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> so that we may live וְנִחְיֶ֖ה (wə·niḥ·yeh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2421.htm">Strong's 2421: </a> To live, to revive and not וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no die.” נָמֽוּת׃ (nā·mūṯ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> To die, to kill <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/42-2.htm">Genesis 42:2 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/42-2.htm">Genesis 42:2 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/42-2.htm">Genesis 42:2 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/42-2.htm">Genesis 42:2 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/42-2.htm">Genesis 42:2 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/42-2.htm">Genesis 42:2 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/42-2.htm">Genesis 42:2 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/42-2.htm">Genesis 42:2 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/42-2.htm">Genesis 42:2 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/42-2.htm">Genesis 42:2 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/42-2.htm">OT Law: Genesis 42:2 He said Behold I have heard that (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/42-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 42:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 42:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/42-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 42:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 42:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>