And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food.

GENESIS 43:2KJV
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Genesis 43:2 (KJV)

What does Genesis 43:2 mean?

Genesis 43:2 describes how, after Jacob’s family finished the grain they had brought from Egypt, Jacob told his sons to return to Egypt and buy a small amount of food. This verse shows the family’s ongoing struggle with famine and their dependence on food from Egypt.

Jacob, the father, is speaking to his sons in the midst of a severe famine in Canaan. The family had previously traveled to Egypt for food and now, with their supplies gone, Jacob instructs them to go back and purchase more. The verse sets up the next stage of the narrative, where the brothers must return to Egypt, a journey that will have significant consequences for the family.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 43:2

  • The word translated “corn” is שֶׁבֶר (shever), which more broadly means “grain” or “food supply,” not just corn as understood today. This clarifies that the family’s staple food was running out, not a specific crop.
  • The word “little” is מְעַט (me’at), meaning “a small amount” or “a little.” Jacob’s request for only a little food may reflect his caution or uncertainty about sending his sons back to Egypt.
  • The verb “buy” is שָׁבַר (shavar), which means “to buy grain” or “to purchase provisions.” This word is specific to acquiring food in a time of scarcity, highlighting the urgency and necessity of the trip.

Why Genesis 43:2 matters

  • This verse highlights the desperation of Jacob’s family and their reliance on Egypt for survival, setting the stage for the dramatic events that follow.
  • The detail that Jacob asks for only “a little food” suggests his hesitation and concern, possibly because of the risk involved in sending his sons back after their previous encounter in Egypt.
  • Genesis 43:2 connects directly to the larger story of Joseph and his brothers, as their return to Egypt will lead to the eventual reunion and reconciliation within the family.

Where else these words appear

“corn” Hebrew H7668 · used in 9 verses

  • Genesis 42:1 Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another?
  • Genesis 42:19 If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses:
  • Genesis 47:14 And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the corn which they bought: and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh's house.

“buy” Hebrew H7666 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 41:56 And the famine was over all the face of the earth: And Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.
  • Genesis 42:7 And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food.
  • Genesis 47:14 And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the corn which they bought: and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh's house.

“food” Hebrew H400 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 14:11 And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way.
  • Exodus 16:16 This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents.
  • Job 38:41 Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.

“little” Hebrew H4592 · used in 92 verses

  • Genesis 18:4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
  • 1 Samuel 14:43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in mine hand, and, lo, I must die.
  • Proverbs 10:20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.