Genesis 42:5
Genesis 42:5 in Multiple Translations
So the sons of Israel were among those who came to buy grain, since the famine had also spread to the land of Canaan.
And the sons of Israel came to buy corn among those that came: for the famine was in the land of Canaan.
And the sons of Israel came to buy among those that came: for the famine was in the land of Canaan.
And the sons of Israel came with all the others to get grain: for they were very short of food in the land of Canaan.
So Israel's sons went to buy grain along with everyone else, because there was famine in Canaan too.
And the sonnes of Israel came to bye foode among them that came: for there was famine in the land of Canaan.
And the sons of Israel come to buy in the midst of those coming, for the famine hath been in the land of Canaan,
The sons of Israel came to buy among those who came, for the famine was in the land of Canaan.
And the sons of Israel came to buy corn among those that came: for the famine was in the land of Canaan.
And they entered into the land of Egypt with others that went to buy. For the famine was in the land of Chanaan.
So Jacob’s other sons went down from Canaan to Egypt to buy grain, and others from there went too, because there was a famine in Canaan also.
In Egypt country, Jacob’s sons went to buy food, and there were lots of other people from Canaan country there too. You see, there was no rain and no food plants growing anywhere in Canaan, so the Canaan people had to go to Egypt to buy food.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 42:5
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 42:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יָּבֹ֨אוּ֙
בְּנֵ֣י
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
לִ/שְׁבֹּ֖ר
בְּ/ת֣וֹךְ
הַ/בָּאִ֑ים
כִּֽי
הָיָ֥ה
הָ/רָעָ֖ב
בְּ/אֶ֥רֶץ
כְּנָֽעַן
וַ/יָּבֹ֨אוּ֙
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
בְּנֵ֣י
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
לִ/שְׁבֹּ֖ר
shâbar
H7666
to buy grain
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
בְּ/ת֣וֹךְ
tâvek
H8432
midst
Prep | N-ms
הַ/בָּאִ֑ים
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
Art | V-Qal
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
הָיָ֥ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
הָ/רָעָ֖ב
râʻâb
H7458
famine
Art | N-ms
בְּ/אֶ֥רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Prep | N-cs
כְּנָֽעַן
Kᵉnaʻan
H3667
Canaan
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 42:5
וַ/יָּבֹ֨אוּ֙
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
בְּנֵ֣י
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
לִ/שְׁבֹּ֖ר
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.
בְּ/ת֣וֹךְ
tâvek
H8432
"midst"
Prep | N-ms
This word refers to the middle or center of something, such as a group of people or a physical space. It can also mean among or between things, as seen in various Bible translations.
Definition: 1) midst, middle 1a) midst, middle 1b) into, through (after verbs of motion) 1c) among (of a number of persons) 1d) between (of things arranged by twos) 1e) from among (as to take or separate etc)
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: among(-st), [idiom] between, half, [idiom] (there-, where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among), [idiom] out (of), [idiom] through, [idiom] with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:6; Numbers 35:5; 2 Chronicles 32:4.
הַ/בָּאִ֑ים
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
Art | V-Qal
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
הָיָ֥ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
הָ/רָעָ֖ב
râʻâb
H7458
"famine"
Art | N-ms
Famine or hunger is what this Hebrew word represents, often referring to a lack of food or spiritual nourishment. It appears in books like Genesis and Jeremiah, highlighting the importance of trust in God during difficult times.
Definition: 1) famine, hunger 1a) famine (in land, nation) 1a1) of Jehovah's word (fig) 1b) hunger (of individuals)
Usage: Occurs in 88 OT verses. KJV: dearth, famine, [phrase] famished, hunger. See also: Genesis 12:10; Jeremiah 14:12; Psalms 33:19.
בְּ/אֶ֥רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Prep | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
כְּנָֽעַן
Kᵉnaʻan
H3667
"Canaan"
N-proper
Canaan was a son of Ham and the name of the country where he lived, which is now modern-day Israel. The Canaanites were known for being merchants and traders, as seen in Genesis and other books.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.9.18; son of: Ham (H2526); brother of: Cush (H3568), Egypt (H4714) and Put (H6316); father of: Sidon (H6721), Heth (H2845), Jebusite (H2983), Amorite (H0567), Girgashite (H1622), Hivite (H2340), Arkite (H6208), Sinite (H5513), Arvadite (H0721), Zemarite (H6786) and Hamathite (H2577) § merchant, trader
Usage: Occurs in 91 OT verses. KJV: Canaan, merchant, traffick. See also: Genesis 9:18; Exodus 6:4; Psalms 105:11.
Study Notes — Genesis 42:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Joseph’s Brothers Sent to Egypt
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.
6Now Joseph was the ruler of the land; he was the one who sold grain to all its people. So when his brothers arrived, they bowed down before him with their faces to the ground. 7And when Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he treated them as strangers and spoke harshly to them. “Where have you come from?” he asked. “From the land of Canaan,” they replied. “We are here to buy food.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 41:57 | And every nation came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth. |
| 2 | Acts 7:11 | Then famine and great suffering swept across Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers could not find food. |
| 3 | Genesis 12:10 | Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. |
| 4 | Genesis 26:1 | Now there was another famine in the land, subsequent to the one that had occurred in Abraham’s time. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines at Gerar. |
| 5 | Acts 11:28 | One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted through the Spirit that a great famine would sweep across the whole world. (This happened under Claudius.) |
Genesis 42:5 Summary
This verse tells us that the sons of Israel, including Joseph's brothers, went to Egypt to buy grain because there was a famine in their land, as stated in Genesis 42:5. They were among many others who came to Egypt for food, showing how widespread the famine was. This reminds us that God is our provider, just as He was for the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 16:4), and we can trust in His care for us, even in difficult times (Philippians 4:19). The sons of Israel's journey to Egypt for help also teaches us about the importance of humility and seeking help when we need it, just as they did.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the sons of Israel go to Egypt to buy grain?
The sons of Israel went to Egypt to buy grain because the famine had spread to the land of Canaan, as stated in Genesis 42:5, and Egypt was a place where they could find food, as seen in Genesis 41:57.
What was the extent of the famine?
The famine was not limited to Egypt, but had also spread to the land of Canaan, as mentioned in Genesis 42:5, indicating its widespread nature, similar to what is described in Genesis 41:54.
How did the sons of Israel fit into the larger group of people coming to Egypt for grain?
The sons of Israel were among many others who came to Egypt to buy grain, as stated in Genesis 42:5, showing that they were part of a larger movement of people seeking food during the famine, much like those mentioned in Acts 11:28.
What does this verse reveal about the circumstances of the sons of Israel?
This verse reveals that the sons of Israel were affected by the famine and were in need of food, which led them to travel to Egypt, as seen in Genesis 42:5, and is reminiscent of the struggles faced by the Israelites in other times of famine, such as in Ruth 1:1.
Reflection Questions
- How do you respond when faced with difficult circumstances, like the sons of Israel during the famine?
- What does this verse teach us about God's sovereignty over the lives of His people, even in times of hardship?
- How can we, like the sons of Israel, trust in God's provision for our needs, even when the situation seems dire?
- What lessons can be learned from the sons of Israel's experience of going to Egypt for help, in relation to our own dependence on God?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 42:5
And the sons of Israel came to buy [corn] among those that came,.... Either among the Egyptians that came to buy, or among those who came from different countries, or rather particularly among the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 42:5
And the sons of Israel came to buy corn among those that came: for the famine was in the land of Canaan. The famine was in the land of Canaan.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 42:5
Genesis 42:5 And the sons of Israel came to buy [corn] among those that came: for the famine was in the land of Canaan.Ver. 5. And the sons of Israel came.] God could have fed them by a miracle, as he did Elijah by the ravens; and Israel in the wilderness, where he rained them down manna, and set the flint abroach; and Merlin, hid in a hay mow in the massacre of Paris, by a hen that came thither, and laid an egg by him every morning. But he worketh ordinarily by means, and will have them used, but not trusted to. Dedit eis pluviam escatilem, et petram aquatilem. - Tertul. Dike’ s Mich. and the Drag.
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 42:5
5. Among those that came — They mingled themselves with the multitudes of some caravan, as if anxious to escape notice.
Sermons on Genesis 42:5
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
"Overcoming Crises" Part 1 by Joshua Daniel | This sermon delves into the theme of overcoming crises by drawing insights from biblical stories like Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh's dream during a severe famine. It emphasiz |
|
Help Wanted: A Potter by Warren Wiersbe | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Jacob and his encounter with God at Bethel. Jacob had run away from his family and was sleeping with a stone as a pillow when he |
|
(Genesis) Genesis 17 Intro by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the seven tests that God gave to Abraham. The first test was when God called Abraham out of his home in Ur of the Chaldees, and although Abrah |
|
|
(Genesis) Genesis 46:4-7 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the three spiritual periods in the life of Jacob, which can be applicable to many believers today. The first period is when Jacob lived somewh |
|
Abraham: A False Step by J. Glyn Owen | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that all genuine saints are flawed individuals who rely on the grace of God. He uses the example of Abram, who, like everyone else, had a fa |
|
(Genesis) 25 - the Dance of Circumstances and the Danger of Compromise by S. Lewis Johnson | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the entangling web of sin and how one sin leads to another. He emphasizes the destruction of a believer's testimony and the chastisement of G |
|
Following Living Suffering for Christ by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the seven verses of 1 Peter chapter four. He emphasizes that believers are being encouraged to live, testify, and suffer for Christ. The pre |