Genesis 43:2

Verse

So when Jacob’s sons had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go back and buy us a little more food.”

American Standard Version (1901)

And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the grain which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food.

Bible in Basic English

And when the grain which they had got in Egypt was all used up, their father said to them, Go again and get us a little food.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And when they had eaten up all the corn, which they had brought out of Egypt, Jacob said to his sons: Go again and buy us a little food.

Free Bible Version

so once they had finished the grain they'd brought from Egypt, their father told them, “You have to go back and buy some more grain for us.”

Geneva Bible 1599

And when they had eaten vp the vitaile, which they had brought from Egypt, their father sayd vnto them, Turne againe, and bye vs a little foode.

King James (Authorized) Version

And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food.

One Unity Resource Bible

When they had eaten up the grain which they had brought out of Egypt [Abode of slavery], their father said to them, “Go again, buy us a little more food.”

Translation for Translators

Finally, when Jacob and his family had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, Jacob said to them, “Go back to Egypt and buy some more grain for us!”

Unlocked Literal Bible

It came about when they had eaten the grain that they had brought out of Egypt, their father said to them, “Go again; buy us some food.”

Noah Webster Bible

And it came to pass, when they had consumed the corn which they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, Go again, buy us a little food.

World English Bible

When they had eaten up the grain which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said to them, “Go again, buy us a little more food.”

Young's Literal Translation

and it cometh to pass, when they have finished eating the corn which they brought from Egypt, that their father saith unto them, 'Turn back, buy for us a little food.'

Context

The Return to Egypt with Benjamin

¹Now the famine was still severe in the land.²So when Jacob’s sons had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go back and buy us a little more food.”

Summary

This verse reveals the backdrop of famine in the land of Canaan, prompting Jacob to send his sons, except for Benjamin, to Egypt to buy grain. The mention of Benjamin highlights Jacob's deep love and protection for his youngest son, whom he could not bear to lose after the presumed loss of Joseph. The journey to Egypt signifies the lengths to which Jacob's family must go to survive, setting the stage for the unfolding of God's plan to reunite Joseph with his brothers and father.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And Judah spake unto him,.... Reuben the eldest son had met with a repulse already, Gen 42:36; Simeon the next was now in Egypt, Gen 42:24, and Levi, perhaps on account of the affair of Shechem, Gen 34:25, did not yet stand well in his father's favour and affection; wherefore Judah being next, with the consent of his brethren, undertakes to manage the affair with him, who had doubtless an interest in him, as well as authority among his brethren, and was a prudent man, and could speak well: saying, the man did solemnly protest unto us; meaning Joseph, though he then knew not that it was he; whom he calls "the man", not by way of contempt, or as thinking and speaking meanly of him, but the reverse, the great man, the honourable man, the governor of Egypt; and so the Septuagint version adds, "the man, the lord of the land"; he in the strongest terms, and in the most solemn manner, protested by the life of Pharaoh: saying, ye shall not see my face; with acceptance, should not be admitted to come near him, or treat with him, and purchase any corn of him: except your brother be with you; their youngest brother Benjamin.