Genesis 42:2

Verse

“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.”

American Standard Version (1901)

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.

Bible in Basic English

And he said, I have had news that there is grain in Egypt: go down there and get grain for us, so that life and not death may be ours.

Douay-Rheims 1899

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.

Free Bible Version

I've heard there's grain in Egypt. Go there and buy some for us so we can stay alive—if not, we're going to die!”

Geneva Bible 1599

And he said, Behold, I haue heard that there is foode in Egypt, Get you downe thither, and bie vs foode thence, that we may liue and not die.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

One Unity Resource Bible

He said, “Behold, I have sh'ma ·heard obeyed· that there is grain in Egypt [Abode of slavery]. Go down there, and buy for us from there, so that we may live, and not die.”

Translation for Translators

He said to them, “Someone told me that there is grain for sale in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, in order that we will not die!”

Unlocked Literal Bible

He said, “See here, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy for us from there so we may live and not die.”

Noah Webster Bible

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.

World English Bible

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.”

Young's Literal Translation

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;'

Context

Joseph’s Brothers Sent to Egypt

¹When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why are you staring at one another?”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.”

Summary

Genesis 42:2 narrates how Jacob instructed his sons to go to Egypt to buy grain due to the famine in Canaan. This verse sets the stage for the unfolding of God's plan to reunite Joseph with his brothers, who had sold him into slavery. It showcases themes of providence, forgiveness, and reconciliation as God works through the hardships faced by Jacob's family. Despite the initial challenges and misunderstandings, this journey to Egypt marks the beginning of a significant chapter in the biblical narrative, illustrating God's faithfulness in preserving His chosen people.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And he said, behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt,.... This explains what is meant by the phrase he saw, one sense being put for another: get ye down thither; as fast as you can without delay; Egypt lay lower than Canaan, and therefore they are bid to go down, as when they went from thence to Canaan they are said to go up, Gen 45:25, and buy for us from thence, that we may live, and not die; which shows the famine was very pressing, since, unless they could buy corn from Egypt they could not live, but must die.