Genesis 42:3
Genesis 42:3 in Multiple Translations
So ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt.
¶ And Joseph’s ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt.
And Joseph’s ten brethren went down to buy grain from Egypt.
So Joseph's ten brothers went down to get grain from Egypt.
So ten of Joseph's brothers went to Egypt to buy grain.
So went Iosephs ten brethren downe to bye corne of the Egyptians.
and the ten brethren of Joseph go down to buy corn in Egypt,
Joseph’s ten brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt.
And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt.
So the ten brethren of Joseph went down, to buy corn in Egypt:
So Joseph’s ten older brothers went down to Egypt to buy some grain.
So 10 of Jacob’s sons left Canaan country, and they went to Egypt country to buy food there. Those 10 men were Joseph’s half-brothers. They had the same father as Joseph, but different mothers.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 42:3
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 42:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֵּרְד֥וּ
אֲחֵֽי
יוֹסֵ֖ף
עֲשָׂרָ֑ה
לִ/שְׁבֹּ֥ר
בָּ֖ר
מִ/מִּצְרָֽיִם
וַ/יֵּרְד֥וּ
yârad
H3381
to go down
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
אֲחֵֽי
ʼâch
H251
brother
N-mp
יוֹסֵ֖ף
Yôwçêph
H3130
Joseph
N-proper
עֲשָׂרָ֑ה
ʻeser
H6235
ten
Adj
לִ/שְׁבֹּ֥ר
shâbar
H7666
to buy grain
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
בָּ֖ר
bâr
H1250
grain
N-ms
מִ/מִּצְרָֽיִם
Mitsrayim
H4714
Egypt
Prep | N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 42:3
וַ/יֵּרְד֥וּ
yârad
H3381
"to go down"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
To go down or descend, like going to a lower place or falling. It appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing people and things moving downwards.
Definition: 1) to go down, descend, decline, march down, sink down 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come down 1a2) to sink 1a3) to be prostrated 1a4) to come down (of revelation) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to bring down 1b2) to send down 1b3) to take down 1b4) to lay prostrate 1b5) to let down 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be brought down 1c2) to be taken down
Usage: Occurs in 345 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down. See also: Genesis 11:5; Judges 3:28; 2 Kings 1:15.
אֲחֵֽי
ʼâch
H251
"brother"
N-mp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a brother or male sibling, but it can also refer to a close relative, friend, or someone with a similar relationship. It is used to describe the bond between brothers, like the relationship between Cain and Abel in Genesis.
Definition: : male-sibling 1) brother 1a) brother of same parents 1b) half-brother (same father) 1c) relative, kinship, same tribe 1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship) 1e) (fig.) of resemblance
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'. See also: Genesis 4:2; Genesis 42:13; Numbers 25:6.
יוֹסֵ֖ף
Yôwçêph
H3130
"Joseph"
N-proper
Joseph means Jehovah has added, a name given to several Israelites, including the son of Jacob and Rachel. Joseph was a significant figure in the book of Genesis and the story of his brothers. He became a leader in Egypt.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Neh.12.14 § Joseph = "Jehovah has added" 1) the eldest son of Jacob by Rachel 2) father of Igal, who represented the tribe of Issachar among the spies 3) a son of Asaph 4) a man who took a foreign wife in the time of Ezra 5) a priest of the family of Shebaniah in the time of Nehemiah
Usage: Occurs in 193 OT verses. KJV: Joseph. Compare H3084 (יְהוֹסֵף). See also: Genesis 30:24; Genesis 47:5; Psalms 77:16.
עֲשָׂרָ֑ה
ʻeser
H6235
"ten"
Adj
This Hebrew word means the number ten, often used in combination with other numbers to describe larger quantities, such as in the story of the ten commandments in Exodus 20. It is commonly translated as 'ten' in the KJV.
Definition: 1) ten 1a) ten 1b) with other numbers Aramaic equivalent: a.sar (עֲשַׂר "ten" H6236)
Usage: Occurs in 157 OT verses. KJV: ten, (fif-, seven-) teen. See also: Genesis 5:14; 1 Kings 6:3; Isaiah 5:10.
לִ/שְׁבֹּ֥ר
shâbar
H7666
"to buy grain"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
To buy or sell grain, as in trading food for survival, is the meaning of this Hebrew word, used in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) to buy or purchase grain 1a) (Qal) to buy grain 1b) (Hiphil) to sell grain Aramaic equivalent: ze.van (זְבַן "to buy" H2084)
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: buy, sell. See also: Genesis 41:56; Genesis 43:20; Proverbs 11:26.
בָּ֖ר
bâr
H1250
"grain"
N-ms
In Aramaic, 'bar' refers to a field of grain, like wheat or corn. It can also describe the open countryside. This term is used in books like Daniel, where it describes rural areas.
Definition: corn, grain
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: corn, wheat. See also: Genesis 41:35; Psalms 72:16; Psalms 65:14.
מִ/מִּצְרָֽיִם
Mitsrayim
H4714
"Egypt"
Prep | N-proper
This word means Egypt, a country in northeastern Africa, and is used in the Bible to describe the land and its people. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often referring to the Nile River and the Egyptians. Egypt is an important setting for many biblical events.
Definition: § Egypt = "land of the Copts" a country at the northeastern section of Africa, adjacent to Palestine, and through which the Nile flows Egyptians = "double straits" adj 2) the inhabitants or natives of Egypt
Usage: Occurs in 569 OT verses. KJV: Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim. See also: Genesis 10:6; Exodus 6:13; Exodus 34:18.
Study Notes — Genesis 42:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 42:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 42:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 42:3
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 42:3
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 42:3
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 42:3
- Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 42:3
- Sermons on Genesis 42:3
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.”
3So ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt.
4But Jacob did not send Joseph’s brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, “I am afraid that harm might befall him.” 5So the sons of Israel were among those who came to buy grain, since the famine had also spread to the land of Canaan.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 42:5 | So the sons of Israel were among those who came to buy grain, since the famine had also spread to the land of Canaan. |
| 2 | Genesis 42:13 | But they answered, “Your servants are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan. The youngest is now with our father, and one is no more.” |
Genesis 42:3 Summary
This verse tells us that ten of Joseph's brothers went to Egypt to buy food because there was a famine in their land. They were trying to take care of their family's needs, just like we try to take care of our own needs today. However, as Christians, we are called to trust in God's provision, just as the Israelites were fed by God in the wilderness (Exodus 16:4). We can learn from this story that God is our ultimate provider, and we should trust in Him, even when things seem difficult (Psalm 37:3).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did ten of Joseph's brothers go to Egypt?
They went to buy grain because of the famine in the land of Canaan, as instructed by their father Jacob, who had heard that there was grain in Egypt (Genesis 42:1-2).
What was the condition of the land of Canaan at this time?
The land of Canaan was experiencing a famine, which is why Jacob's sons had to go to Egypt to buy grain (Genesis 42:5).
Who stayed behind in Canaan?
Joseph's brother Benjamin stayed behind, because Jacob was afraid that harm might befall him if he went to Egypt with his brothers (Genesis 42:4).
What does this verse reveal about Jacob's trust in God?
This verse suggests that Jacob was trying to provide for his family's physical needs, but it does not necessarily indicate that he was trusting in God to provide for them, as seen in other biblical accounts where God provides for His people (e.g., Exodus 16:4, Psalm 37:3).
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that God provides for our physical needs, and how can we trust Him to do so?
- How do we respond when faced with difficult circumstances, like the famine in Canaan, and what can we learn from Jacob's actions?
- What role does faith play in our decision-making, and how can we balance our efforts to provide for ourselves with our trust in God's provision?
- In what ways can we, like Joseph's brothers, be obedient to our authorities and still trust in God's sovereignty?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 42:3
And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt. They obeyed their father's orders, and immediately set out for Egypt; "ten" of them went down in a body together, all but Benjamin, so that
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 42:3
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. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 42:3
Genesis 42:3 And Joseph’ s ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt. Ver. 3. And Joseph’ s ten brethren went.] Forty or fifty miles an end: Austin saith three hundred. Should we think much to go a few steps, say it be miles, to get food for our souls? Beware of that famine. The seven churches of Asia, Bohemia, the Palatinate, and many other parts of Germany, are under it already. So is the large region of Nubia in Africa, which had from the apostles’ time, as it is thought, professed the Christian faith, but now embraced Mohammedanism through lack of ministers. For, as Alvarez hath recorded, at his being in the king of Habasaia’ s court, there were ambassadors out of Nubia to entreat him for a supply of ministers, to instruct their nation, and repair Christianity, gone to ruin among them; but were rejected. Oh, fearful! Alvar., Hist.
Aethiopic., cap. 137.
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 42:3
(3) Joseph’s ten brethren.—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 (Genesis 47:1), and also households of servants (Genesis 46:5, 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 (Genesis 45:21-23), 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.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 42:3
3. ten brethren] Jacob’s sons are here mentioned, not as heads of families, or as separate householders, but as the capable male members of a single family. The whole ten are needed, in order to carry back enough corn.
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 42:3
3. Joseph’s ten brethren went — No one of them would go alone, and they conclude it is best for all of them to go together. They might thus mutually protect and help each other.
Sermons on Genesis 42:3
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Genesis) Genesis 41-42 by Joe Focht | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Joseph and his ability to see beyond the human transactions of the world and recognize God's sovereignty. He emphasizes the impo |