Genesis 43:1

Joseph’s brothers return with Benjamin

1 The famine was severe in the land,

Genesis 43:1 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 43:1

And 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.

Genesis 43:1 In-Context

1 The famine was severe in the land,

2 and when they had eaten all the grain that they brought from Egypt, their father said to them, "Go back and buy us a little food."

3 Judah said to him, "The man was absolutely serious when he said, ‘You may not see me again without your brother with you.'

4 If you agree to send our brother with us, then we will go down and buy you food.

5 But if you don't agree to send him, then we can't go down because the man said to us, ‘You may not see me again without your brother with you.'"