Genesis 42:3

3 So ten of Joseph's brothers went down to Egypt to buy grain there.

Genesis 42:3 Meaning and Commentary

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 it is easily reckoned who they were, and they are called not Jacob's sons, as they were; but Joseph's brethren, whom they had sold into Egypt, and to whom now they were going, though they knew it not, to buy corn of him in their necessity, and to whom they would be obliged to yield obeisance, as they did.

Genesis 42:3 In-Context

1 Jacob found out that there was grain in Egypt. So he said to his sons, "Why do you just keep looking at each other?"

2 He continued, "I've heard there's grain in Egypt. Go down there. Buy some for us. Then we'll live and not die."

3 So ten of Joseph's brothers went down to Egypt to buy grain there.

4 But Jacob didn't send Joseph's brother Benjamin with them. He was afraid Benjamin might be harmed.

5 Israel's sons were among the people who went to buy grain. There wasn't enough food in the land of Canaan.