Acts 7:12

12 But when Ya'akov heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers there the first time.

Acts 7:12 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 7:12

But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt
Not then growing, or gathering in there, or that was of that year's produce; for the famine was strong in the land of Egypt, as well as in Canaan; but was what had been laid up, and preserved in the seven years of plenty, by the order and care of Joseph; which by some means or another, Jacob had heard of; see ( Genesis 42:1 Genesis 42:2 ) the Jews suggest ^F21, that it was by divine revelation:

he sent out our fathers first;
the first time, or the first year of the famine; or he sent them first, he laid his commands on them, or they had not gone; these were the ten sons of Jacob, and brethren of Joseph, who were sent the first time, for Benjamin stayed with his father: see ( Genesis 42:3 Genesis 42:13 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F21 Bereshit Rabba, sect. 91. fol. 78. 1, 2.

Acts 7:12 In-Context

10 he rescued him from all his troubles and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who appointed him chief administrator over Egypt and over all his household. t

11 Now there came a famine that caused much suffering throughout Egypt and Kena'anu

12 But when Ya'akov heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers there the first time.

13 The second time, Yosef revealed his identity to his brothers, and Yosef's family became known to Pharaoh.

14 Yosef then sent for his father Ya'akov and all his relatives, seventy-five people.