Genesis 43:1

The Return to Egypt

1 ¹Now 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 Now the famine was severe in the land.

2 So it came about when they had finished eating the grain which they had brought from Egypt, that their father said to them, "Go back, buy us a little food."

3 Judah spoke to him, however, saying, "The man solemnly warned us, 'You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.'

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

5 "But if you do not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, 'You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.' "

Cross References

• 1. Genesis 12:10; Genesis 26:1; Genesis 41:56, 57