Genesis 43 1

Genesis 43:1 kjv

And the famine was sore in the land.

Genesis 43:1 nkjv

Now the famine was severe in the land.

Genesis 43:1 niv

Now the famine was still severe in the land.

Genesis 43:1 esv

Now the famine was severe in the land.

Genesis 43:1 nlt

But the famine continued to ravage the land of Canaan.

Genesis 43 verses

Genesis 43 1 meaning

Genesis 43:1 states that "the famine was sore in the land." This verse conveys that the existing drought and scarcity of food in the region of Canaan had become exceedingly severe and unbearable. It indicates a critical escalation of the crisis, directly preceding Jacob's instruction for his sons to return to Egypt for more provisions, despite the condition of bringing Benjamin. The intensifying famine created an inescapable urgency for the patriarch and his family.

Genesis 43 1 Context

Genesis 43:1 marks a critical turning point following the first expedition of Joseph's brothers to Egypt. In chapter 42, Joseph had recognized his brothers, withheld their brother Simeon, and demanded that they bring their youngest brother Benjamin back to Egypt as proof of their truthfulness, threatening death if they did not comply. Jacob, devastated by the presumed loss of Joseph and the retention of Simeon, had initially refused to send Benjamin, fearing his loss as well.

However, the "soreness" of the famine described in Genesis 43:1 signifies a desperate situation. The grain they brought from their first trip to Egypt had been consumed, and their very survival was at stake. This increasing severity of the famine provides the undeniable, external pressure that forces Jacob's hand, overriding his profound emotional reluctance. This dire necessity sets the stage for the second journey to Egypt, which will ultimately lead to the full reconciliation of Joseph and his family and their relocation to Egypt, a pivotal moment in the unfolding of God's covenant plan for the chosen nation. Historically, the Ancient Near East was prone to prolonged regional famines due to irregular rainfall, and this particular famine, lasting seven years (Gen 41:54), was part of God's provident plan for His people.

Genesis 43 1 Word analysis

• And (וְ – ve): A simple conjunctive, connecting this verse seamlessly with the preceding narrative. It implies continuity, suggesting that the "soreness" of the famine is the direct outcome and intensified state of the crisis introduced earlier in Genesis 41. It underlines that this is not a new event, but a deepening of an existing crisis.
• the famine (הָרָעָב – ha-ra'av):
  • Ra'av (רָעָב) in Hebrew means severe hunger, starvation, or scarcity of food. It points to a deep physical need and economic collapse.
  • This is the same famine that Joseph had prophesied and for which Egypt had prepared. Its existence in Canaan emphasizes the widespread nature of the crisis.
  • In the Old Testament, famine is often a direct consequence or instrument of divine judgment (e.g., Deut 28:48, Lev 26:19-20). Here, while it drives the narrative, it also implicitly reminds the original audience of God's sovereign control over nature and life's necessities, a theological point that implicitly stands in contrast to polytheistic views attributing control of harvest to multiple deities.
• was sore (כָּבֵד – kaved):
  • The Hebrew word kaved (כָּבֵד) literally means "heavy" or "weighty." It denotes something difficult, grievous, severe, or burdensome.
  • It's used to describe physical heaviness (Ex 17:12, Moses' hands were heavy) and also moral severity (Gen 18:20, "the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and their sin is very grievous," literally "very heavy").
  • Here, kaved elevates the famine from merely existing to being unbearably grievous. It’s not just "there was famine," but the famine weighed heavily on the land and its inhabitants, making life exceedingly difficult and forcing immediate, decisive action. This signifies the absolute extremity of the situation, overriding any other consideration or hesitation Jacob might have had.
• in the land (בָאָרֶץ – ba-arets):
  • Arets (אָרֶץ) means land, earth, or country. Here, it refers specifically to the land of Canaan, where Jacob and his family resided.
  • This specification grounds the verse in the immediate geographic reality of Jacob's household, highlighting that they are directly experiencing the brunt of this widespread, severe crisis.

Words-group Analysis:

• "And the famine was sore in the land": This phrase paints a vivid picture of escalating distress. The combined force of "famine" and "sore" (heavy/grievous) conveys extreme hardship, desperation, and lack of options. It's the critical driver that pushes the plot forward. It encapsulates a situation where waiting or postponing is no longer an option, directly challenging Jacob's reluctance to part with Benjamin. The repetition of the famine's state emphasizes its growing pressure. This phrase signifies the divine pressure point to fulfill Joseph's dreams and ultimately bring the entire family to Egypt, setting the stage for the formation of the nation of Israel.

Genesis 43 1 Bonus section

The narrative choice to explicitly state that the famine "was sore" rather than simply "continued" serves a critical literary and theological purpose. It highlights that the family's reluctance, particularly Jacob's, could no longer be sustained. This severity demonstrates the compelling nature of God's providence. While earlier accounts mention the existence of the famine, the use of kaved here specifically focuses on its pressure and grievousness, emphasizing the escalating crisis that forced Jacob's hand, despite his earlier strong protestations against sending Benjamin (Gen 42:38). It portrays divine action not necessarily as an overt command, but as circumstances made so dire that they necessitate obedience to a preordained plan. The famine served as God's instrument to maneuver Jacob and his household precisely where He intended them to be, preparing for the full development of the Israelite nation in Egypt.

Genesis 43 1 Commentary

Genesis 43:1 succinctly establishes the driving force behind the renewed interactions between Jacob's family and Joseph: the increasingly dire and severe famine. This is not just a passing note but a crucial pivot point in the narrative. The term "sore" (Hebrew kaved, meaning heavy or grievous) is chosen precisely to convey the profound, burdensome impact of the famine, making life in Canaan untenable. It forces Jacob, despite his profound anguish over the thought of losing Benjamin, to confront the grim reality that inaction means certain death for his family. This natural disaster, orchestrated by God (as seen in Genesis 41), acts as a providential catalyst. It compels human actors—especially Jacob—to make difficult decisions that align with God's overarching plan for His chosen people, ensuring their survival and ultimately setting the stage for their future descent into Egypt. The "soreness" of the famine underscores the unavoidable divine hand guiding human circumstances for the fulfillment of His promises.

• Practical Example: Sometimes, severe personal or communal "famines"—periods of great scarcity, hardship, or crisis—are the very means by which we are compelled to move out of our comfort zones, rely more deeply on God, or follow a path we would otherwise resist. Just as Jacob had to release Benjamin, we may be pressed to surrender control or take a step of faith during desperate times.