Genesis 42:2
New International Version
He continued, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.”

New Living Translation
I have heard there is grain in Egypt. Go down there, and buy enough grain to keep us alive. Otherwise we’ll die.”

English Standard Version
And he said, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain for sale in Egypt. Go down and buy grain for us there, that we may live and not die.”

Berean Standard Bible
“Look,” he added, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.”

King James Bible
And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die.

New King James Version
And he said, “Indeed I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down to that place and buy for us there, that we may live and not die.”

New American Standard Bible
Then he said, “Look, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down there and buy some for us from that place, so that we may live and not die.”

NASB 1995
He said, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down there and buy some for us from that place, so that we may live and not die.”

NASB 1977
And he said, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down there and buy some for us from that place, so that we may live and not die.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then he said, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down there and buy some for us from there, so that we may live and not die.”

Amplified Bible
He said, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down there and buy [some] grain for us, so that we may live and not die [of starvation].”

Christian Standard Bible
Listen,” he went on, “I have heard there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us so that we will live and not die.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Listen,” he went on, “I have heard there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us so that we will live and not die.”

American Standard Version
And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die.

Contemporary English Version
I have heard there is grain in Egypt. Go down and buy some, so we won't starve to death."

English Revised Version
And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I've heard there's grain for sale in Egypt. Go there and buy some for us so that we won't starve to death."

Good News Translation
I hear that there is grain in Egypt; go there and buy some to keep us from starving to death."

International Standard Version
Pay attention now! I've heard that there is grain in Egypt, so go down there and buy some grain for us, so we can live, instead of dying."

Majority Standard Bible
“Look,” he added, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.”

NET Bible
He then said, "Look, I hear that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy grain for us so that we may live and not die."

New Heart English Bible
He said, "Look, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us from there, so that we may live and not die."

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: go down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die.

World English Bible
He said, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there, and buy for us from there, so that we may live, and not die.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
He also says, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt, go down there, and buy for us from there, and we live and do not die”;

Young's Literal Translation
he saith also, 'Lo, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt, go down thither, and buy for us from thence, and we live and do not die;'

Smith's Literal Translation
Behold I heard that there is selling in Egypt: go ye there, and buy grain for us from thence; and we shall live and shall not die.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I have heard that wheat is sold in Egypt: go ye down, and buy us necessaries, that we may live, and not be consumed with want.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I have heard that wheat is being sold in Egypt. Go down and buy necessities for us, so that we may be able to live, and not be consumed by destitution.”

New American Bible
He went on, “I hear that grain is for sale in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, that we may stay alive and not die.”

New Revised Standard Version
I have heard,” he said, “that there is grain in Egypt; go down and buy grain for us there, that we may live and not die.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down there, and buy for us from there; that we may live, and not die.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Behold, I heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down there and buy for us there, and we will live and we will not die.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he said: 'Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt. Get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt; go down thither, and buy for us a little food, that we may live, and not die.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Joseph's Brothers Sent to Egypt
1When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why are you staring at one another?” 2“Look,” he added, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.” 3So ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt.…

Cross References
Genesis 41:56-57
When the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened up all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians; for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. / And every nation came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth.

Genesis 43:1-2
Now the famine was still severe in the land. / So when Jacob’s sons had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go back and buy us a little more food.”

Genesis 45:5-7
And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you. / For the famine has covered the land these two years, and there will be five more years without plowing or harvesting. / God sent me before you to preserve you as a remnant on the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

Genesis 47:13-15
There was no food, however, in all that region, because the famine was so severe; the lands of Egypt and Canaan had been exhausted by the famine. / Joseph collected all the money to be found in the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan in exchange for the grain they were buying, and he brought it into Pharaoh’s palace. / When the money from the lands of Egypt and Canaan was gone, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, “Give us food. Why should we die before your eyes? For our funds have run out!”

Acts 7:11-12
Then famine and great suffering swept across Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers could not find food. / When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers on their first visit.

Genesis 12:10
Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe.

Genesis 26:1
Now there was another famine in the land, subsequent to the one that had occurred in Abraham’s time. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines at Gerar.

Genesis 50:20
As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.

Psalm 105:16-17
He called down famine on the land and cut off all their supplies of food. / He sent a man before them—Joseph, sold as a slave.

Acts 11:28-29
One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted through the Spirit that a great famine would sweep across the whole world. (This happened under Claudius.) / So the disciples, each according to his ability, decided to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.

2 Kings 8:1-2
Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Arise, you and your household; go and live as a foreigner wherever you can. For the LORD has decreed that a seven-year famine will come to the land.” / So the woman had proceeded to do as the man of God had instructed. And she and her household lived as foreigners for seven years in the land of the Philistines.

Ruth 1:1
In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. And a certain man from Bethlehem in Judah, with his wife and two sons, went to reside in the land of Moab.

Matthew 2:13-15
When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.” / So he got up, took the Child and His mother by night, and withdrew to Egypt, / where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”

Hebrews 11:20-21
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning the future. / By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

Luke 4:25-26
But I tell you truthfully that there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and great famine swept over all the land. / Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to the widow of Zarephath in Sidon.


Treasury of Scripture

And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from there; that we may live, and not die.

get you.

Genesis 43:2,4
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 45:9
Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not:

that we.

Genesis 43:8
And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones.

Psalm 118:17
I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.

Isaiah 38:1
In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.

Jump to Previous
Buy Continued Corn Death Die Egypt Grain Heard Live News Thence Thither
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Buy Continued Corn Death Die Egypt Grain Heard Live News Thence Thither
Genesis 42
1. Jacob sends his ten sons to buy grain in Egypt.
16. They are imprisoned by Joseph as spies.
18. They are set at liberty, on condition to bring Benjamin.
21. They have remorse for Joseph.
24. Simeon is kept for a pledge.
25. They return with grain, and their money.
29. Their relation to Jacob.
36. Jacob refuses to send Benjamin.














He continued
This phrase indicates a continuation of a previous conversation. In the Hebrew text, the verb used here is "וַיֹּאמֶר" (vayomer), which is a common introductory phrase in Hebrew narrative, often translated as "and he said." It suggests a direct and personal communication, emphasizing the urgency and importance of the message being conveyed. Jacob, the patriarch, is speaking to his sons, highlighting his role as the leader and decision-maker of the family.

Look
The Hebrew word here is "הִנֵּה" (hinneh), which is often translated as "behold" or "look." It serves as an attention-grabbing device, urging the listener to pay close attention to what follows. This word underscores the gravity of the situation and the necessity for immediate action. It reflects Jacob's awareness and concern for his family's dire circumstances.

I have heard
The phrase indicates that Jacob has received information, likely through word of mouth, about the availability of grain in Egypt. The Hebrew root "שָׁמַע" (shama) means "to hear" or "to listen," suggesting that Jacob is attentive to the news and developments around him. This highlights the interconnectedness of the ancient world, where news traveled through merchants and travelers.

that there is grain in Egypt
Egypt, in the ancient Near East, was known for its fertile land and abundant resources, particularly during times of famine elsewhere. The mention of "grain" (Hebrew: "שֶׁבֶר" - sheber) signifies sustenance and survival. Historically, Egypt's Nile River provided a reliable source of irrigation, making it a breadbasket during times of scarcity. This context sets the stage for the unfolding narrative of Joseph and his brothers.

Go down there
The phrase "go down" (Hebrew: "רְדוּ" - redu) is significant, as it reflects the geographical and symbolic descent into Egypt. In biblical literature, Egypt often represents a place of both refuge and testing. The directive to "go down" implies a journey not only in physical terms but also in spiritual and emotional dimensions, as the family seeks relief from famine.

and buy some for us
The act of buying grain indicates a transaction and reliance on external resources for survival. The Hebrew verb "שָׁבַר" (shabar) means "to buy" or "to break," suggesting a breaking of bread or provision. This highlights the dependency of Jacob's family on the provisions of a foreign land, foreshadowing the complex relationship between Israel and Egypt.

so that we may live and not die
This phrase captures the desperation and urgency of the situation. The Hebrew words "נִחְיֶה" (nichyeh) and "וְלֹא נָמוּת" (velo namut) translate to "we may live" and "not die," respectively. It underscores the stark reality of life and death faced by Jacob's family. This plea for survival is a recurring theme in the Bible, where God's providence and faithfulness are often revealed in times of crisis. The phrase serves as a reminder of the fragility of human life and the need for divine intervention and provision.

Verse 2. - And he said, Behold, I have heard (this does not imply that the rumor had not also reached Jacob's sons, but only that the proposal to visit Egypt did not originate with them) that there is corn - שֶׁבֶר ut supra, σῖτος ( LXX.), triticum (Vulgate) - in Egypt: get you down thither. That Jacob did not, like Abraham (Genesis 12:10)and Isaac (Genesis 26:2), propose to remove his family to Egypt, may be explained either by the length of the journey, which was too great for so large a household, or by the circumstance that the famine prevailed in Egypt as well as Canaan (Gerlach). That he entrusted his sons, and not his servants, with the mission, though perhaps dictated by a sense of its importance (Lawson), was clearly of Divine arrangement for the further accomplishment of the Divine plan concerning Joseph and his brethren. And buy (i.e. buy corn, the verb being a denominative from שֶׁבֶר, corn) for us from thence. From this it is apparent that the hitherto abundant flocks and herds of the patriarchal family had been greatly reduced by the long-continued and severe drought, thus requiring them to obtain food from Egypt, if either any portion of their flocks were to be saved, or themselves to escape starvation, as the patriarch explained to his sons. That we may (literally, and we shall) live, and not die.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Look,”
הִנֵּ֣ה (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

he added,
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“I have heard
שָׁמַ֔עְתִּי (šā·ma‘·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

that
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

there is
יֶשׁ־ (yeš-)
Adverb
Strong's 3426: Being, substance, existence, is

grain
שֶׁ֖בֶר (še·ḇer)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7668: Corn, grain

in Egypt.
בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם (bə·miṣ·rā·yim)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa

Go down
רְדוּ־ (rə·ḏū-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend

there
שָׁ֙מָּה֙ (šām·māh)
Adverb | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

and buy
וְשִׁבְרוּ־ (wə·šiḇ·rū-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7666: To deal in grain

some for us,
לָ֣נוּ (lā·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's Hebrew

so that we may live
וְנִחְיֶ֖ה (wə·niḥ·yeh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common plural
Strong's 2421: To live, to revive

and not
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

die.”
נָמֽוּת׃ (nā·mūṯ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill


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OT Law: Genesis 42:2 He said Behold I have heard that (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 42:1
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