And our father said, Go again, and buy us a little food.

GENESIS 44:25KJV
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Genesis 44:25 (KJV)

What does Genesis 44:25 mean?

Genesis 44:25 describes how the brothers recall their father’s instruction to return to Egypt and buy a small amount of food during the famine. The verse highlights their obedience to their father’s request in a time of great need.

In this scene, Judah is speaking to Joseph (who is still unrecognized by his brothers) and recounting the family’s situation back in Canaan. Their father, Jacob, had told them to go back to Egypt and purchase more food because their supplies were running low. This verse is part of Judah’s explanation for why they returned, setting the stage for the emotional appeal he is about to make.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 44:25

  • The word for "again" is שׁוּב (shuv), which means "to return" or "to go back." This emphasizes that the brothers had already made a previous journey and were being sent once more, highlighting the ongoing struggle with the famine.
  • The word for "buy" is שָׁבַר (shavar), which means "to buy" or "to purchase," often used specifically for buying grain or food in times of scarcity. This word choice underlines the urgency and necessity of their mission.
  • The word for "little" is מְעַט (me'at), meaning "a small amount" or "just enough." This detail shows the family's cautious approach, perhaps reflecting their limited resources or Jacob’s hesitance to send his sons back.

Why Genesis 44:25 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the brothers were acting under their father Jacob’s direct orders, not out of their own initiative, which becomes important in understanding their motives and the family dynamics at play.
  • The mention of buying "a little food" underscores the severity of the famine and the family's vulnerable position, adding emotional weight to Judah’s plea before Joseph.
  • By recounting their father’s words, Judah appeals to Joseph’s empathy, setting up the dramatic moment when Joseph will reveal his identity and the family will be reconciled.

Where else these words appear

“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.