Genesis 44:25
Genesis 44:25 in Multiple Translations
Then our father said, ‘Go back and buy us some food.’
And our father said, Go again, and buy us a little food.
And our father said, Go again, buy us a little food.
And our father said, Go again and get us a little food.
However, later on, our father told us, ‘Go back and buy some more food.’
And our father sayde vnto vs, Goe againe, bye vs a litle foode,
and our father saith, Turn back, buy for us a little food,
Our father said, ‘Go again and buy us a little food.’
And our father said, Go again; buy us a little food.
And our father said: Go again, and buy us a little wheat.
Months later our father said, ‘Go back to Egypt and buy some more grain!’
Then, some time later, our father said to us, ‘Go back to Egypt, and buy a bit more food for us mob.’
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 44:25
BAB
Word Study
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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 44:25 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֹּ֖אמֶר
אָבִ֑י/נוּ
שֻׁ֖בוּ
שִׁבְרוּ
לָ֥/נוּ
מְעַט
אֹֽכֶל
וַ/יֹּ֖אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אָבִ֑י/נוּ
ʼâb
H1
father
N-ms | Suff
שֻׁ֖בוּ
shûwb
H7725
to return
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
שִׁבְרוּ
shâbar
H7666
to buy grain
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
לָ֥/נוּ
Prep | Suff
מְעַט
mᵉʻaṭ
H4592
little
N-ms
אֹֽכֶל
ʼôkel
H400
food
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 44:25
וַ/יֹּ֖אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
אָבִ֑י/נוּ
ʼâb
H1
"father"
N-ms | Suff
In Hebrew, this word means father, whether literal or figurative. It is used to describe God as the father of his people, as well as human fathers like Abraham. The word is about a paternal relationship or authority.
Definition: 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.) Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)
Usage: Occurs in 1060 OT verses. KJV: chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. See also: Genesis 2:24; Genesis 42:37; Leviticus 19:3.
שֻׁ֖בוּ
shûwb
H7725
"to return"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
שִׁבְרוּ
shâbar
H7666
"to buy grain"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
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.
לָ֥/נוּ
""
Prep | Suff
מְעַט
mᵉʻaṭ
H4592
"little"
N-ms
This Hebrew word means something is small or little in amount, like a few people or a short time. It appears in various Bible translations as almost, few, or small. In the Bible, it often describes something that is limited or lacking.
Definition: 1) littleness, few, a little, fewness 1a) little, small, littleness, fewness, too little, yet a little 1b) like a little, within a little, almost, just, hardly, shortly, little worth
Usage: Occurs in 92 OT verses. KJV: almost (some, very) few(-er, -est), lightly, little (while), (very) small (matter, thing), some, soon, [idiom] very. See also: Genesis 18:4; Job 15:11; Psalms 2:12.
אֹֽכֶל
ʼôkel
H400
"food"
N-ms
This Hebrew word refers to food or a meal, including cereal, meat, and other supplies. It is used in stories about everyday life, like eating and sharing meals.
Definition: 1) food 1a) cereal 1b) meat 2) food supply 3) meal, dinner
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: eating, food, meal(-time), meat, prey, victuals. See also: Genesis 14:11; Deuteronomy 2:28; Psalms 78:18.
Study Notes — Genesis 44:25
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Judah Pleads for Benjamin
23But you said to your servants, ‘Unless your younger brother comes down with you, you will not see my face again.’
24Now when we returned to your servant my father, we relayed your words to him.
25Then our father said, ‘Go back and buy us some food.’
26But we answered, ‘We cannot go down there unless our younger brother goes with us. So if our younger brother is not with us, we cannot see the man.’ 27And your servant my father said to us, ‘You know that my wife bore me two sons.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 43:2 | 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.” |
| 2 | Genesis 43:5 | But if you will not send him, we will not go; for the man told us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’” |
Genesis 44:25 Summary
In this verse, Jacob tells his sons to go back and buy more food because the famine in the land was still ongoing, as mentioned in Genesis 41:57. He is trying to provide for his family's needs, just like any good father would. This shows us that Jacob is a caring and responsible parent, who wants to take care of his family, as seen in Genesis 47:12. By trusting in God's provision, we can also learn to be content and trust in His goodness, even in difficult times, as Paul writes in Philippians 4:19.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted Jacob to send his sons back to buy more food?
Jacob's decision to send his sons back to buy more food was likely due to the famine in the land, as seen in Genesis 41:57, and the fact that they had already consumed the grain they purchased earlier, as mentioned in Genesis 44:25.
Why did Jacob not seem concerned about the brothers' warning that they would not be seen by the man in charge unless their younger brother was with them?
Jacob may not have been aware of the gravity of the situation, or he may have been trusting in God's providence, as seen in Genesis 45:5, where Joseph later reveals that God was behind the events that unfolded.
Is Jacob's instruction to his sons a test of their obedience?
While the Bible does not explicitly state that Jacob's instruction was a test, it can be inferred that Jacob was seeking to provide for his family's needs, as a good father would, as seen in Genesis 47:12, where Jacob is concerned about the well-being of his family.
How does this verse relate to the larger story of Joseph and his brothers?
This verse is a pivotal moment in the story, as it sets in motion the events that will ultimately lead to Joseph's revelation of his identity to his brothers, as seen in Genesis 45:1-15, and the reconciliation of the family.
Reflection Questions
- What are some times in your life when you have had to trust in God's provision, even when the situation seemed uncertain?
- How do you think Jacob felt when his sons relayed the message that they would not be seen by the man in charge unless their younger brother was with them?
- What does this verse teach us about the importance of family and seeking to provide for one another's needs?
- In what ways can we apply the principle of trusting in God's providence, as seen in Jacob's life, to our own lives today?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 44:25
And our father said,.... After some time, when the corn was almost consumed they had bought in Egypt: go again, [and] buy us a little food; that may suffice fill the famine is over; see Genesis 43:1.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 44:25
And he said, God forbid that I should do so: but the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, get you up in peace unto your father. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 44:25
18–34. Judah’s Intercession This is one of the most beautiful and pathetic passages in Hebrew narrative. Judah’s speech falls into two unequal divisions: (1) Genesis 44:18-31 a simple recapitulation of the story, (2) Genesis 44:31-34 his self-sacrificing offer of himself as a substitute for Benjamin. The points emphasized are (a) Joseph’s previous demand to see Benjamin, (b) the aged father’s unwillingness to let him go, (c) the certainty that the loss of Benjamin would be Jacob’s death, (d) the offer to stay in Benjamin’s place.