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Genesis 42:3 So ten of Joseph's brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt.
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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/42.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/42.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Then ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/42.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So Joseph’s ten older brothers went down to Egypt to buy grain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/42.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />So ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/42.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/42.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/42.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So Joseph’s ten brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/42.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/42.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then ten brothers of Joseph went down to buy grain from Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/42.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then ten brothers of Joseph went down to buy grain from Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/42.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So ten brothers of Joseph went down to buy grain from Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/42.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/42.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/42.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So 10 of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/42.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy grain from Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/42.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Ten of Joseph's brothers went to Egypt to buy grain. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/42.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn from Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/42.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Ten of Joseph's brothers went to buy grain in Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/42.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />So Joseph's ten half brothers went to buy grain in Egypt, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/42.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So ten of Joseph's brothers left to buy grain from Egypt. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/42.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So ten of Joseph?s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/42.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So ten of Joseph's brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/42.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />So Joseph?s ten brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/42.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/42.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Joseph’s ten brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/42.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and the ten brothers of Joseph go down to buy grain in Egypt,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/42.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and the ten brethren of Joseph go down to buy corn in Egypt,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/42.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Joseph's brethren, the ten, will go to buy grain from Egypt.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/42.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />So the ten brethren of Joseph went down, to buy corn in Egypt: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/42.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And so, when ten brothers of Joseph went down to buy grain in Egypt,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/42.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />So ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/42.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />So ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/42.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And so Joseph's ten brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/42.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And ten brothers of Yoseph went down to buy grain from Egypt.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/42.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn from Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/42.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the ten brethren of Joseph went down to buy corn out of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/42-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=10781" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/42.htm">Joseph's Brothers Sent to Egypt</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>“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.” <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6235.htm" title="6235: ‘ă·śā·rāh (Number-ms) -- Ten. Masculine of term aasarah; from asar; ten.">So ten</a> <a href="/hebrew/3130.htm" title="3130: yō·w·sêp̄ (N-proper-ms) -- Future of yacaph; let him add; Joseph, the name of seven Israelites.">of Joseph’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: ’ă·ḥê- (N-mpc) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">brothers</a> <a href="/hebrew/3381.htm" title="3381: way·yê·rə·ḏū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To come or go down, descend. ">went down</a> <a href="/hebrew/7666.htm" title="7666: liš·bōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To buy grain. Denominative from sheber; to deal in grain.">to buy</a> <a href="/hebrew/1250.htm" title="1250: bār (N-ms) -- Grain, corn. Or bar; from barar; grain of any kind; by extens. The open country.">grain</a> <a href="/hebrew/4714.htm" title="4714: mim·miṣ·rā·yim (Prep-m:: 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.">from Egypt.</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>But Jacob did not send Joseph’s brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, “I am afraid that harm might befall him.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/37-25.htm">Genesis 37:25-28</a></span><br />And as they sat down to eat a meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were carrying spices, balm, and myrrh on their way down to Egypt. / Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? / Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay a hand on him; for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And they agreed. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/43-2.htm">Genesis 43:2-5</a></span><br />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.” / But Judah replied, “The man solemnly warned us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’ / If you will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy food for you. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/45-4.htm">Genesis 45:4-5</a></span><br />Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near me.” And they did so. “I am Joseph, your brother,” he said, “the one you sold into Egypt! / 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/50-20.htm">Genesis 50:20</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-11.htm">Acts 7:11-13</a></span><br />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. / On their second visit, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers, and his family became known to Pharaoh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/41-56.htm">Genesis 41:56-57</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/44-1.htm">Genesis 44:1-2</a></span><br />Then Joseph instructed his steward: “Fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each one’s silver in the mouth of his sack. / Put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one’s sack, along with the silver for his grain.” So the steward did as Joseph had instructed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/45-7.htm">Genesis 45:7-8</a></span><br />God sent me before you to preserve you as a remnant on the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. / Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God, who has made me a father to Pharaoh—lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/46-1.htm">Genesis 46:1-4</a></span><br />So Israel set out with all that he had, and when he came to Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. / And that night God spoke to Israel in a vision: “Jacob, Jacob!” He said. “Here I am,” replied Jacob. / “I am God,” He said, “the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/47-13.htm">Genesis 47:13-15</a></span><br />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!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-9.htm">Acts 7:9-10</a></span><br />Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him / and rescued him from all his troubles. He granted Joseph favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and all his household.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/39-1.htm">Genesis 39:1-2</a></span><br />Meanwhile, Joseph had been taken down to Egypt, where an Egyptian named Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. / And the LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/41-39.htm">Genesis 41:39-41</a></span><br />Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. / You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people are to obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” / Pharaoh also told Joseph, “I hereby place you over all the land of Egypt.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/45-9.htm">Genesis 45:9-11</a></span><br />Now return quickly to my father and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me without delay. / You shall settle in the land of Goshen and be near me—you and your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and everything you own. / And there I will provide for you, because there will be five more years of famine. Otherwise, you and your household and everything you own will come to destitution.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/47-11.htm">Genesis 47:11-12</a></span><br />So Joseph settled his father and brothers in the land of Egypt and gave them property in the best part of the land, the district of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. / Joseph also provided his father and brothers and all his father’s household with food for their families.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Joseph's ten brothers went down to buy corn in Egypt.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/42-5.htm">Genesis 42:5,13</a></b></br> And the sons of Israel came to buy <i>corn</i> among those that came: for the famine was in the land of Canaan… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/42-2.htm">Buy</a> <a href="/genesis/42-2.htm">Corn</a> <a href="/genesis/42-2.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/genesis/42-2.htm">Grain</a> <a href="/genesis/41-57.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/genesis/41-45.htm">Joseph's</a> <a href="/genesis/32-15.htm">Ten</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/42-5.htm">Buy</a> <a href="/genesis/42-5.htm">Corn</a> <a href="/genesis/43-2.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/genesis/42-5.htm">Grain</a> <a href="/genesis/42-6.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/genesis/42-4.htm">Joseph's</a> <a href="/genesis/45-23.htm">Ten</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 42</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/42-1.htm">Jacob sends his ten sons to buy grain in Egypt.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/42-16.htm">They are imprisoned by Joseph as spies.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/42-18.htm">They are set at liberty, on condition to bring Benjamin.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/42-21.htm">They have remorse for Joseph.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/42-24.htm">Simeon is kept for a pledge.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/42-25.htm">They return with grain, and their money.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/42-29.htm">Their relation to Jacob.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">36. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/42-36.htm">Jacob refuses to send Benjamin.</a></span><br></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><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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><b>So ten of Joseph’s brothers</b><br>This phrase refers to the sons of Jacob, also known as Israel, who were the patriarchs of the twelve tribes of Israel. Joseph, the eleventh son, was sold into slavery by these brothers, except for Benjamin, the youngest, who stayed with Jacob. The number ten is significant in biblical numerology, often symbolizing completeness or the fullness of human responsibility. The absence of Benjamin highlights Jacob's protective nature over his youngest son, especially after losing Joseph.<p><b>went down</b><br>The phrase "went down" is geographically accurate, as Canaan is situated at a higher elevation compared to Egypt. This descent is not only physical but also symbolic, representing a humbling journey for the brothers who once wronged Joseph. In biblical narratives, "going down" to Egypt often signifies a movement away from the Promised Land, which can imply a spiritual or moral decline.<p><b>to buy grain</b><br>The need to buy grain indicates a severe famine affecting the region, fulfilling Joseph's earlier interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams (<a href="/genesis/41-25.htm">Genesis 41:25-32</a>). This famine was widespread, affecting not only Egypt but also surrounding areas, including Canaan. The act of buying grain from Egypt underscores Egypt's role as a place of provision and refuge during times of crisis, a recurring theme in the Bible.<p><b>from Egypt</b><br>Egypt, a powerful and advanced civilization, was known for its fertile Nile Delta, which allowed it to store surplus grain. This setting is crucial for the unfolding of God's plan for Israel, as Egypt becomes both a place of refuge and a place of bondage. Theologically, Egypt often represents the world or a place of testing for God's people. Joseph's position in Egypt as a ruler foreshadows Christ's role as a savior, providing sustenance and salvation to those in need.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/joseph's_brothers.htm">Joseph's Brothers</a></b><br>The ten brothers of Joseph, excluding Benjamin, who travel to Egypt to buy grain during a severe famine. They are the sons of Jacob (Israel) and are part of the twelve tribes of Israel.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>A powerful and prosperous nation during this time, Egypt becomes a place of refuge and provision due to Joseph's leadership and God's providence. It is where Joseph has risen to power as second-in-command under Pharaoh.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/f/famine.htm">Famine</a></b><br>A severe famine affects the entire region, prompting Jacob to send his sons to Egypt to buy grain. This famine is part of God's larger plan to reunite Joseph with his family and preserve the lineage of Israel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_trials.htm">God's Sovereignty in Trials</a></b><br>The famine, though a trial, is used by God to fulfill His purposes. Believers can trust that God is in control, even in difficult circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reconciliation_and_forgiveness.htm">Reconciliation and Forgiveness</a></b><br>The journey of Joseph's brothers to Egypt sets the stage for eventual reconciliation. This encourages believers to seek forgiveness and restoration in broken relationships.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/providence_and_provision.htm">Providence and Provision</a></b><br>God's provision through Joseph in Egypt reminds us that He provides for our needs. We are called to trust in His provision and timing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a></b><br>The brothers' journey to Egypt required action and obedience. Similarly, faith often requires us to step out and act, trusting in God's guidance.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_42.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 42</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_women's_role_in_the_bible.htm">How do trials test and strengthen your faith?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_plot_of_chosen_generation.htm">Why was Joseph imprisoned in Egypt?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_allow_foreigners_grain_in_famine.htm">Why would Egyptian officials allow foreign travelers to buy grain amid a severe famine with no documented restrictions (Genesis 42:1–5)? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_didn't_joseph's_brothers_know_him.htm">How could Joseph's brothers fail to recognize him after only about two decades (Genesis 42:7-8)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/42.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) <span class= "bld">Joseph's ten brethren.</span>--Either their cattle and households had been already greatly reduced by the mortality caused by the famine, or each patriarch must have taken a number of servants with him, if the corn carried home was to be enough to be of any real use. We learn, however, that they still possessed flocks and herds when they went down into Egypt (<a href="/genesis/47-1.htm" title="Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh, and said, My father and my brothers, and their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have, are come out of the land of Canaan; and, behold, they are in the land of Goshen.">Genesis 47:1</a>), and also households of servants (<a href="/genesis/46-5.htm" title="And Jacob rose up from Beersheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him.">Genesis 46:5</a>, where see Note). Joseph, moreover, besides the wagons and their contents, sends twenty loads of provisions for the use of his father by the way (<a href="/context/genesis/45-21.htm" title="And the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way.">Genesis 45:21-23</a>), showing thereby that there were very many mouths to feed. Probably, therefore, there was some small amount of rain in Palestine, though not enough for the support of crops of corn. There would be, however, supplies of milk and flesh, but not much more.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/42.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Joseph's ten brethren went down</span> - either it was for safety that all the ten went, or because, the corn being sold to individuals, the quantity received would depend on their numbers (Lange) - <span class="cmt_word">to buy corn</span> - the word for corn, <span class="hebrew">בָּר</span>, if not a primitive, like the Latin <span class="accented">far</span> (Furst), may be derived from <span class="hebrew">בָּרַר</span>, to separate, sever, choose out, hence purify (Aben Ezra, Kimchi, Gesenius), and may describe grain as that which has been cleaned from chaff, as in <a href="/jeremiah/4-11.htm">Jeremiah 4:11</a> - <span class="cmt_word">in</span> (literally, <span class="accented">from</span>, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> corn to be brought from) <span class="cmt_word">Egypt</span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/42-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">So ten</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲשָׂרָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·śā·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6235.htm">Strong's 6235: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ten</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Joseph’s</span><br /><span class="heb">יוֹסֵ֖ף</span> <span class="translit">(yō·w·sêp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3130.htm">Strong's 3130: </a> </span><span class="str2">Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">brothers</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲחֵֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḥê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> </span><span class="str2">A brother, )</span><br /><br /><span class="word">went down</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֵּרְד֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yê·rə·ḏū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3381.htm">Strong's 3381: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come or go down, descend</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to buy</span><br /><span class="heb">לִשְׁבֹּ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(liš·bōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7666.htm">Strong's 7666: </a> </span><span class="str2">To deal in grain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">grain</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(bār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1250.htm">Strong's 1250: </a> </span><span class="str2">Grain, the open country</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from Egypt.</span><br /><span class="heb">מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃</span> <span class="translit">(mim·miṣ·rā·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4714.htm">Strong's 4714: </a> </span><span class="str2">Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/42-3.htm">Genesis 42:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/42-3.htm">Genesis 42:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/42-3.htm">Genesis 42:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/42-3.htm">Genesis 42:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/42-3.htm">Genesis 42:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/42-3.htm">Genesis 42:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/42-3.htm">Genesis 42:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/42-3.htm">Genesis 42:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/42-3.htm">Genesis 42:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/42-3.htm">Genesis 42:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/42-3.htm">OT Law: Genesis 42:3 Joseph's ten brothers went down to buy (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/42-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 42:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 42:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/42-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 42:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 42:4" /></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>