Acts 7:12

12 But when Jacob heard there was grain in Egypt, he sent his sons there. This was their first trip to Egypt.

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 ) .

---

FOOTNOTES:

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

Acts 7:12 In-Context

10 and saved him from all his troubles. The king of Egypt liked Joseph and respected him because of the wisdom God gave him. The king made him governor of Egypt and put him in charge of all the people in his palace.

11 "Then all the land of Egypt and Canaan became so dry that nothing would grow, and the people suffered very much. Jacob's sons, our ancestors, could not find anything to eat.

12 But when Jacob heard there was grain in Egypt, he sent his sons there. This was their first trip to Egypt.

13 When they went there a second time, Joseph told his brothers who he was, and the king learned about Joseph's family.

14 Then Joseph sent messengers to invite Jacob, his father, to come to Egypt along with all his relatives (seventy-five persons altogether).