Genesis 43:1 — Word Study
WLCוְהָרָעָ֖ב כָּבֵ֥ד בָּאָֽרֶץ׃
BSANow the faminerâʻâb [severe hunger, bitter need of food] was still severekâbêd [continued to be, got worse, heavy, sore] in the landʼerets [the earth, Canaan, a country or territory]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וְהָרָעָ֖ב | and the famine | Conjunction, particle, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| כָּבֵ֥ד | [was] heavy | Adj |
| בָּאָֽרֶץ׃ | in the land | Preposition, noun common feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Now the famine was still severe in the land. |
| KJV | And the famine was sore in the land. |
| ASV | And the famine was sore in the land. |
| YLT | And the famine [is] severe in the land; |
| WEB | The famine was severe in the land. |
| BBE | Now the land was in bitter need of food. |
Where they part company is כָּבֵ֥ד — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence is straightforward, with the main clause clearly stating the condition of the famine, supported by a prepositional phrase that specifies the location.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, Ellicott & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Genesis 43:1
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Famine in Canaangenerated
Genesis 43:1 describes the ongoing severity of the famine in Canaan, emphasizing the dire situation faced by Jacob and his sons. The famine leads to a critical moment where Jacob's sons must return to Egypt for more food, as seen in the subsequent verses. This famine is not just a physical lack of food but also a test of faith and reliance on God's provision during difficult times.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 18:13 | And the LORD asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Can I really bear a child when I am old?’ |
| 2 | Genesis 41:54–57 | the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. And although there was famine in every country, there was food throughout the land of Egypt. |
| 3 | 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. |
| 4 | Ecclesiastes 9:1–2 | So I took all this to heart and concluded that the righteous and the wise, as well as their deeds, are in God’s hands. Man does not know what lies ahead, whether love or hate. |
| 5 | Lamentations 5:10 | Our skin is as hot as an oven with fever from our hunger. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — כָּבֵ֥ד, ka.Vedgenerated
The word כָּבֵד (ka.Ved) means 'heavy' and can describe both physical weight and figurative heaviness, such as severity or difficulty. In this verse, it emphasizes the seriousness of the famine, indicating that it is not just a minor issue but a significant and burdensome situation.
The parsing as an adjective suggests that it describes the state of the famine, which is ongoing and worsening. This word is often used in contexts where something is difficult to bear, highlighting the gravity of the circumstances faced by the people.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against. The BSB has severe, which is echoed by the KJV and ASV, both of which also use sore for the same Hebrew word.
Where others part company with the BSB they part company over the word כָּבֵ֥ד. The ASV, KJV, and others use sore, while the DRA opts for heavy, and the FBV uses continued to be.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main clause is governed by the finite verb כָּבֵ֥ד, [was] heavy, which describes the state of the famine. The structure is straightforward, with the subject וְהָרָעָ֖ב (and the famine) leading into the description of its severity.
The prepositional phrase בָּאָֽרֶץ׃ (in the land) indicates where this severe famine is taking place, grounding the situation in a specific geographical context.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates כָּבֵ֥ד as ἐνίσξυσεν, which carries the sense of something being heavy or severe. This choice reflects a similar understanding of the seriousness of the famine, aligning with the Hebrew meaning but potentially emphasizing the burden it places on the people.
The use of λιμὸς for וְהָרָעָ֖ב indicates a direct connection to the concept of famine in the Greek language, reinforcing the idea of a severe lack of food.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Genesis 43:1 tells us that the famine in Canaan was still severe. This means that the people were facing a serious lack of food, which was a heavy burden for them. The situation was dire, and it prompted Jacob's sons to consider going back to Egypt for more supplies.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The famine represents a severe lack of food and a time of great need for the people in Canaan, highlighting their dependence on God for provision.
The severity of the famine sets the stage for the events that follow, including the need for Jacob's sons to return to Egypt, which is crucial for the unfolding narrative.
This verse connects to the theme of trust in God as the people face dire circumstances, reminding them of their reliance on divine provision during difficult times.
We can learn about the seriousness of their situation and the importance of seeking help and provision, as well as the broader implications of famine in biblical narratives.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How do I respond to difficult situations in my life, similar to the famine faced by Jacob's family?
- In what ways can I trust God to provide for my needs during times of scarcity?
- What lessons can I take from this verse about the importance of community support during hard times?
- How can I prepare myself spiritually for challenges that may come, like the famine described here?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Genesis 43:1 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd the famine [was] sore in the land. In the land of Canaan; it increased yet more and more: this is observed for the sake of what follows, showing the reason and necessity of Jacob's sons taking a second journey into Egypt.
Read John Gill on Genesis 43 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd the famine was sore in the land. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Read Robert Jamieson on Genesis 43 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsGenesis 43:1 And the famine [was] sore in the land.Ver. 1. And the famine was sore in the land.] In the Promised Land. Hold out faith and patience. Os quod in sorte tua cecidit, rodas: Bear thy cross, and be content. Drus., in Adag.
Read John Trapp on Genesis 43 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English ReadersXLIII. THE SECOND VISIT TO EGYPT.(7) The man asked us straitly.—In Genesis 42:13 they appear rather as volunteering a statement of their family relations than as having it wrung from them by cross-examination. But really this history must be taken as explaining and supplementing the former. Accused of being spies, they would naturally give an account of themselves, and Joseph, anxious to know about his father and brother, would certainly put numerous questions to them concerning their home and family. And they would answer them fully and frankly, little suspecting who was the questioner, and what was his real reason for exacting Benjamin’s presence in proof of their trustworthiness: Of our…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Genesis 43 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleCHAPTER XLIII The famine continuing, Jacob desires his sons to go again to Egypt and buy some food, 1, 2. Judah shows the necessity of Benjamin's accompanying them, without whom it would be useless to return to Egypt, 3-5. Jacob expostulates with him, 6. Judah replies, and offers to become surety for Benjamin, 7-10. Jacob at last consenting and desires them to take a present with them for the governor of Egypt; and double money, that which they had brought back in their sacks' mouth, and the price of the load they were now to bring; and, having prayed for them, sends them away, 11-15. They arrive in Egypt, and are brought to Joseph's house to dine with him, at which they are greatly…
Read AdamClarke on Genesis 43 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges1–14. The Return to Egypt 2. Go again] That Jacob seems to forget about Simeon, is due to the change from the E to the J narrative.
Read Cambridge on Genesis 43 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible- Joseph and His Eleven Brethren 11. דבשׁ debash, “honey,” from the bee, or sirup from the juice of the grape. בטנים bôṭen, “pistachio nuts.” שׁקד shâqêd, “almond tree;” related: “awake.” The tree is also called לוּז lûz.
Read Albert Barnes on Genesis 43 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the BibleTHE SECOND JOURNEY TO EGYPT FOR FOOD, Genesis 43:1-15. 1. The famine was sore — Or, heavy. It had now continued two years. Genesis 45:6.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Genesis 43 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Now the famine was still severe in the land.
The famine was severe in the land.
Now the famine was still severe in the land.
Now the famine was severe in the land.
Tyndale line
And the famine was sore in the land.
And the famine was sore in the land.
And the famine was sore in the land.
And the famine was severe in the land.
Now great famine was in the land.
Strictly literal
And the famine was grievous in the land.
And the famine [is] severe in the land;
And the famine [is] severe in the land;
And the famine was sore in the land.
The famine was severe in the land.
From the Latin
In the mean time the famine was heavy upon all the land.
Simplified
The famine continued to be really bad in Canaan,
Now the land was in bitter need of food.
Word by word, the decisions they made
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text states וְהָרָעָ֖ב כָּבֵ֥ד בָּאָֽרֶץ׃, which is confirmed by the Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls, both of which agree word for word with the MT. The Septuagint matches the Hebrew closely in meaning, though its word order differs.
וְהָרָעָ֖ב כָּבֵ֥ד בָּאָֽרֶץ׃
3 of the 3 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
והרעב כבד בארץ
Agrees with the Masoretic Text here, word for word.
והרעב כבד בארץ
3 words on the leather.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Genesis 43:1
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
רָעָב (ra`ab) refers to famine and hunger, indicating a lack of food that can affect individuals or entire nations. It is derived from the root meaning to be hungry, and it encompasses both literal and figurative uses, such as famine caused by divine judgment. The entries consistently emphasize its association with severe food scarcity.
רָעָב 101 n.m. famine, hunger
base
H7458 רָעָב famine, hunger
7458 ra`ab raw-awb'
from 7456; hunger (more or less extensive):--dearth,
famine, + famished, hunger.
see HEBREW for 07456
רָעָב (ra.av) — famine.
1) famine, hunger
1a) famine (in land, nation)
1a1) of Jehovah's word (fig)
1b) hunger (of individuals)
Conj | Art | N-ms — Conjunction · particle · noun common masculine singular absoluteHC/Td/Ncmsa
fam'-in (ra`abh; limos):
1. Natural Causes
2. Famines Mentioned
3. Divine Relations
4. Figurative Uses
The common Old Testament word for "famine" is ra`abh; re`abhon also occurs (Ge 42:19,33; Ps 37:19), and kaphan (Job 5:22; 30:3), all meaning "hunger" and "famine"; in the New Testament the word is limos, meaning primarily "failure," "want of food."
Famine
The first mentioned in Scripture was so grievous as to compel Abraham to go down to the land of Egypt (Gen. 26:1). Another is mentioned as having occurred in the days of Isaac, causing him to go to Gerar (Gen. 26:1, 17). But the most remarkable of all was that which arose in Egypt in the days of Joseph, which lasted for seven years (Gen. 41-45).
Famines were sent as an effect of God’s anger against a guilty people (2 Kings 8:1, 2; Amos 8:11; Deut. 28:22-42; 2 Sam. 21:1; 2 Kings 6:25-28; 25:3;
In the whole of Syria and Arabia, the fruits of the earth must ever be dependent on rain; the watersheds having few large springs, and the small rivers not being sufficient for the irrigation of even the level lands. If therefore the heavy rains of November and December fail, the sustenance of the people is cut off in the parching drought of harvest-time, when the country is almost devoid of moisture. Egypt, again, owes all its fertility to its mighty river, whose annual rise inundates nearly the whole land. The causes of dearth and famine in Egypt are defective inundation, preceded, accompanied and followed by prevalent easterly and southerly winds. Famine is likewise a natural result in the East when caterpillars, locusts or other insects destroy the products of the earth. The first famine recorded in the Bible is that of Abraham after he had pitched his tent on the east of Bethel…
Scripture records several famines in Palestine, and the neighboring countries, Ge 12:10 26:1 Ru 1:1 2Ki 6:25 Ac 11:27. The most remarkable one was that of seven years in Egypt, while Joseph was governor, Ge 41:1-57. It was distinguished for its duration, extent, and severity; particularly as Egypt is one of the countries least subject to such a calamity, by reason of its general fertility. Famine is sometimes a natural effect, as when the Nile does not overflow in Egypt, or rains do not fall in Judea, at the customary season; or when caterpillars, locusts, or other insects, destroy the fruits. But all natural causes are…
The Hebrew word כָּבֵד (*kabed*) means 'heavy' and can describe both physical weight and figurative heaviness, such as severity or difficulty. It encompasses a range of meanings, including great, burdensome, and oppressive. The entries highlight its use in both positive and negative contexts, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among the lexicons.
כָּבֵד adj. heavy
base
H3515 כָּבֵד heavy
3515 kabed kaw-bade'
from 3513; heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or
in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid):--(so) great,
grievous, hard(-ened), (too) heavy(-ier), laden, much, slow,
sore, thick.
see HEBREW for 03513
כָּבֵד (ka.ved) — heavy.
1) heavy, great
1a) heavy
1b) massive, abundant, numerous
1c) heavy, dull
1d) hard, difficult, burdensome
1e) very oppressive, numerous, rich
Adj — AdjHAamsa
אֶ֫רֶץ (erets) is a feminine noun meaning 'earth' or 'land.' It encompasses various meanings, including the whole earth, specific territories like Canaan, and even inhabitants of the land. It can refer to soil, ground, or regions, and is used in phrases related to distance and the living. There is a note on the plural form אֲרָצוֹת, which mainly appears in later texts to denote multiple lands.
אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land
earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)
earth, opp. to heaven, sky
earth = inhabitants of earth
land =
country, territory
district, region
trial territory
piece of ground
specif. land of Canaan, or Israel
= inhabitants of land
used even of Shᵉʼôl
ground, surface of ground
soil, as productive
אֶרֶץ in phrases
people of the land
in measurements of distance
the country of the plain, level or plain country
land of the living
end(s) of the earth
pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.
base
H776 אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land . . earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)
. earth, opp. to heaven, sky
. earth = inhabitants of earth
. land = . country, territory
. district, region
. trial territory
. piece of ground
. specif. land of Canaan, or Israel
. = inhabitants of land
. used even of Shᵉʼôl
. . ground, surface of ground
. soil, as productive
. אֶרֶץ in phrases . people of the land
. in measurements of distance
. the country of the plain, level or plain country
. land of the living
. end(s) of the earth
. pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.
776 'erets eh'-rets
from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth
(at large, or partitively a land):--X common, country, earth,
field, ground, land, X natins, way, + wilderness, world.
אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: country/planet.
: country/field
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
אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: soil.
: 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
Prep | N-cs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absoluteHRd/Ncfsa
((1) 'erets;
(2) 'adhamah;
(3) sadheh,
"a piece of land";
(4) ge, "earth";
(5) agros, "field";
(6) chora, "region";
(7) chorion, diminutive of chora;
(8) xeros, "dry land";
(9) 'ezrach, "native" the King James Version "born in the land," "born among you," the Revised Version (British and American) "home-born" (Le 19:34; 14:16; Nu 15:30); "like a green tree in its native soil" (Ps 37:35)):
→ Appeared on the third creative day Ge 1:9
→ Original title to, from God Ge 13:14-17; 15:7; Ex 23:31; Le 25:23
→ Bought and sold Ge 23:3-18; 33:19; Ac 4:34; 5:1-8
→ Sale and redemption of, laws concerning Le 25:15,16,23-33; 27:17-24; Nu 36:4; Jer 32:7-16,25,44; Eze 46:18