Genesis 42 2

Genesis 42:2 kjv

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.

Genesis 42:2 nkjv

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."

Genesis 42:2 niv

He continued, "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."

Genesis 42:2 esv

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."

Genesis 42:2 nlt

I have heard there is grain in Egypt. Go down there, and buy enough grain to keep us alive. Otherwise we'll die."

Genesis 42 verses

Genesis 42 2 meaning

Genesis 42:2 recounts Jacob instructing his sons to journey to Egypt to purchase grain because he had heard it was available there, emphasizing that this action was necessary for their survival, to "live and not die" amidst the severe famine in Canaan. This verse marks the immediate step taken by Jacob's family in response to the widespread famine, initiating the complex chain of events leading to the reunion with Joseph and the ultimate preservation of the family through God's providential plan.

Genesis 42 2 Context

The context of Gen 42:2 is the severe famine that has gripped Canaan, where Jacob and his family reside, as well as the entire region, fulfilling Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams in Gen 41:54-57. With no local food source, Jacob hears that Egypt, through Joseph's meticulous preparations, has an abundance of grain. This famine, affecting not just Jacob's family but "all the face of the earth" (Gen 41:56), underscores the critical situation they face. The verse marks Jacob's decision to act, sending ten of his sons (Benjamin is held back) to the known source of food. This desperate journey for survival becomes the divinely orchestrated means for Joseph to reunite with his estranged brothers, initiating the fulfillment of his earlier dreams (Gen 37) and ultimately bringing the entire family into Egypt, where they would grow into a great nation, setting the stage for the Exodus. Historically, famines were common in the Ancient Near East, making Egypt, with its Nile-fed agriculture and advanced granary system, a recurring destination for those seeking survival.

Genesis 42 2 Word analysis

• And he said: The Hebrew is "וַיֹּאמֶר" (vayyomer), a common narrative opening, simply introducing Jacob's speech.
• Behold: The Hebrew "הִנֵּה" (hinneh) is an interjection serving to draw immediate attention and often denotes urgency or significant disclosure. Jacob is conveying a crucial piece of information.
• I have heard: The Hebrew "שָׁמַעְתִּי" (shamati) signifies a clear, definite knowledge derived from external reports, emphasizing that this isn't speculation but a well-established fact in Jacob's mind. The news of Egypt's grain reserves had widely spread.
• that there is grain: The Hebrew "כִּי־שֶׁבֶר" (ki-shever). "Shever" here literally means "breaking" or "purchase of broken [grain]", specifically referring to the bought provisions, grain, or corn for sustenance. It denotes available, tradeable foodstuffs.
• in Egypt: The Hebrew "בְּמִצְרָיִם" (beMitsrayim). Egypt, uniquely positioned due to the Nile, was often the sole agricultural haven during regional famines, known for its strategic food reserves and prosperity. It represents both a source of life and, historically, a place of potential peril or bondage for Israel.
• go down there: The Hebrew "רְדוּ־שָׁמָּה" (redu-shammah). "Redu" is an imperative, a direct command. "Go down" is geographically accurate, as Egypt lies lower in elevation than Canaan, but it also carries symbolic weight as a descent into a foreign, often idolatrous, land, which sets the stage for God's redemptive work.
• and buy for us from there: The Hebrew "וְשִׁבְרוּ־לָנוּ מִשָּׁם" (veshivru-lanu misham). "Shivru" is the verb form of "shever," meaning to purchase provisions or grain. The emphasis is on procuring necessities for the entire family ("for us").
• that we may live and not die: The Hebrew "וְנִחְיֶה וְלֹא נָמוּת" (venichyeh velo namut). This phrase explicitly states the dire necessity and the life-or-death stakes involved. It reflects Jacob's immediate and primal concern for the survival of his family, demonstrating the severity of the famine. It underscores human dependence on sustenance.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• And he said, "Behold, I have heard...": Jacob's leadership and response to the crisis are evident. He acts based on verifiable information, not desperation, implying a degree of measured, though urgent, decision-making. The "behold" signifies the urgency and importance of the news that prompts action.
• "that there is grain in Egypt": This phrase pinpoints the solution and location. It highlights Egypt's unique role as a global granary due to Joseph's administration, setting the stage for the narrative's trajectory.
• "go down there and buy for us from there": This is Jacob's direct command, initiating the movement and transaction crucial for their survival. It frames the action as an economic exchange necessary for provision.
• "that we may live and not die": This is the fundamental motivation, revealing the gravity of the famine's impact and the existential threat it posed to Jacob's lineage. It connects this desperate act of seeking food to the preservation of the covenant family.

Genesis 42 2 Bonus section

The phrase "go down there" resonates throughout Scripture, often signifying a movement to Egypt (e.g., Abraham in Gen 12, Israel later in Exodus). It points to Egypt as a recurring place of both provision and potential spiritual compromise or enslavement in biblical narrative. Jacob's seemingly simple decision of "going down" for food ultimately leads to Israel's sojourn and growth in Egypt, which is foundational to the Exodus story and the formation of Israel as a nation. This verse, born out of necessity, is a micro-illustration of God's overarching providence, using seemingly random external events like famine to steer human destiny according to His sovereign plan, preparing the lineage for the ultimate redeemer.

Genesis 42 2 Commentary

Genesis 42:2 concisely captures a pivotal moment: Jacob's proactive, yet unwitting, step into God's grand plan for his family. The verse highlights the stark reality of the famine and Jacob's leadership in orchestrating a solution based on regional news. While Jacob is simply seeking physical sustenance to prevent his family's death, this mundane act is imbued with divine purpose, leading his sons into an encounter with their estranged brother, Joseph, and setting in motion the eventual descent of the entire Israelite family into Egypt. It underscores human reliance on resources, yet also silently points to God's unseen hand working through circumstances and human actions to preserve His covenant people, turning what seems like a crisis into a crucial step towards the nation of Israel's formation and subsequent deliverance.