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The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

Genesis 42:1-38

GENESIS—NOTE ON Genesis 42:1 Shortage of food in Canaan forces Jacob to send his sons to Egypt, but Benjamin, Joseph’s younger brother, remains at home, for Jacob fears losing him, too. When Joseph encounters his brothers again, he deliberately conceals his identity. After accusing them of being spies, he holds Simeon hostage, sending the others back to Canaan on the understanding that they will return with Benjamin. Naturally, Jacob is very reluctant to permit this.

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See also Genesis 42:1-38 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    CHAPTER XLII _Jacob sends his ten sons to Egypt to buy corn_, 1-3; _but refuses to permit Benjamin to go_, 4. _They arrive in Egypt, and bow themselves before Joseph_, 5, 6. _He treats them roughl...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    - Joseph and Ten of His Brethren 1. שׁבר _sheber_, “fragment, crumb, hence, grain.” בר _bar_ “pure,” “winnowed,” hence, “corn” (grain). 6. שׁליט _shallı̂yṭ_, “ruler, governor, hence,” Sultan. Not e...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    CHAPTER 42 THE FIRST VISIT OF JOSEPH'S BRETHREN _ 1. Joseph's brethren sent to Egypt (Genesis 42:1)_ 2. Joseph meets his brethren (Genesis 42:6) 3. Put in prison for three days (Genesis 42:17) 4....

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    GENESIS 42. JOSEPH'S BROTHERS COME TO EGYPT TO BUY CORN, AND UNWITTINGLY ENCOUNTER JOSEPH. The greater part is taken from E, but Genesis 42:2; Genesis 42:4_ b_, Genesis 42:5;...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    The Descent into Egypt 1. _look one upon another_ In silence, as if desperate. Jacob's words indicate the energy and resourcefulness of the old man, as compared with the helpless despondency of the s...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    WHEN JACOB SAW— That is, was informed, _had heard,_ as it is in the second verse. See Acts 7:12. _He said, why do ye look one upon another?_ a phrase expressing great distress, and ignorance of the me...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    3. _Joseph as Prime Minister of Egypt_ (Genesis 41:46 to Genesis 47:31) 46 And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh,...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    _NOW WHEN JACOB SAW THAT THERE WAS CORN IN EGYPT, JACOB SAID UNTO HIS SONS, WHY DO YE LOOK ONE UPON ANOTHER?_ Now when Jacob saw - learned from common rumour. It is evident from Jacob's language that...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    THE FIRST VISIT OF JOSEPH'S BRETHREN TO EGYPT 1. When Jacob saw] The caravans which travelled from Egypt to Syria would bring the news to Hebron....

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    GOD’S ANCIENT PEOPLE GENESIS _ALUN OWEN_ CHAPTER 42 JACOB SENDS HIS SONS TO EGYPT V1 Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt. So he said to his sons, ‘You look at each other and you do nothing...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    When Jacob mentioned Egypt, his sons were unwilling to go there. Perhaps the word ‘Egypt’ reminded them of Joseph and therefore they felt guilty. But they went when Jacob told them to go....

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    XLII. FIRST VISIT OF JOSEPH’S BRETHREN TO EGYPT. (1) WHEN JACOB SAW. — That is, learned, understood, that there was corn in Egypt. As we have seen (Genesis 37:25), there was a large caravan trade bet...

  • ETCBC data on Hebrew bible

    וַ יַּ֣רְא יַעֲקֹ֔ב כִּ֥י יֶשׁ ־שֶׁ֖בֶר בְּ

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    VISITS OF JOSEPH'S BRETHREN Genesis 42:1; Genesis 43:1; Genesis 44:1 "Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good."-...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    JOSEPH SEES HIS TEN BROTHERS Genesis 42:1 The true interpretation of Joseph's treatment of his brethren is to be found in the supposition that he repeated toward them, as nearly as possible, the beha...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    According to the foretelling of Joseph in interpreting Pharaoh's dreams, the famine came; but through Joseph's executive ability Egypt was provided with corn sufficient not only for its own needs, but...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    JOSEPH'S BROTHERS BOW BEFORE HIM Jacob heard of the great supply of grain in Egypt. He sent the ten older brothers to buy grain to sustain them. As the grand vizier, Joseph had complete control over t...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    Now when (a) Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye (b) look one upon another? (a) This story shows plainly that all things are governed by God's providence for t...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    _Careless. Hebrew, "gazing at one another," like idle people._...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    CONTENTS A gracious GOD in his over-ruling providence, having caused a famine of bread to prevail in Canaan, compels thereby the sons of Jacob to go down into Egypt to seek sustenance for themselves a...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    Having already shown the position of Isaac, I resume briefly with the remark that he stands before us clearly as the representative of the Son, and this too as dead, risen, and in heaven. All will und...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    1._Now when Jacob saw_. Moses begins, in this chapter, to treat of the occasion which drew Jacob with his whole family into Egypt; and thus leaves it to us to consider by what hidden and unexpected me...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    THE FOLLOWING COMMENTARY COVERS CHAPTER S 42 THROUGH 47. At the same time another scene presents itself. His brethren, who had rejected him, forced by famine, are brought, by the path of repentance an...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    NOW WHEN JACOB SAW THAT THERE WAS CORN IN EGYPT,.... That is, to be sold there, or otherwise it being there, unless it could be bought, would have been of no avail to foreigners; wherefore the Septuag...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another? Ver. 1. _Now when Jacob saw that there was corn._] A sale of corn. Heb., A breaking: so cal...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _When Jacob saw_ That is, heard, as the word is used, Exodus 20:18; or saw the corn which his neighbours had bought there and brought home. _Why look ye one upon another?_ As careless and helpless per...

  • KJV Original Language Details

    1 Iacob sendeth his ten sonnes to buy corne in Egypt. 6 They are imprisoned by Ioseph for spies. 18 They are set at libertie, on condition to bring Beniamin. 21 They haue remorse for Ioseph. 24 Si...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    The Arrival in Egypt...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, having undoubtedly gotten the information from his Canaanite neighbors, many of whom were merchants, JACOB SAID UNTO HIS SONS, WHY DO YE LOOK ONE UPON...

  • Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures

    SIXTH SECTION _Retributive Discipline. The Famine and the First Journey to Egypt. Joseph’s struggles with himself. The repentance of the Brethren. Joseph and Simeon._ GENESIS 42:1-38. 1Now when Jaco...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    JACOB SENDS HIS SONS TO EGYPT The famine reaches to Jacob's land. God makes him and his sons to feel the distress of famine until they hear that Egypt has an abundance of food that is available for s...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    1-6 Jacob saw the corn his neighbours had bought in Egypt, and brought home. It is a spur to exertion to see others supplied. Shall others get food for their souls, and shall we starve while it is to...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    GENESIS CHAPTER 42 Jacob hearing there was corn in Egypt, sends all his sons thither but Benjamin, GENESIS 42:1. They bow before Joseph, who knew them, but not they him; he treats them roughly, GENESI...

  • Notes on the Pentateuch by Charles Henry Mackintosh

    On which we shall dwell more particularly. There is not in scripture a more perfect and beautiful type of Christ than Joseph. Whether we view Christ as the object of the Father's love, the object of t...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Genesis 42:1 Jacob H3290 saw H7200 (H8799) was H3426 grain H7668 Egypt H4714 Jacob H3290 said H559 ...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    THE FIRST VISIT OF THE BROTHERS TO EGYPT TO BUY CORN (GENESIS 42:1). Genesis 42:1 ‘Now Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, and Jacob said to his sons, “Why do you look one on another?” And he sa...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Joseph preserves his brethren from the famine. CHARACTERS: Jacob, Joseph, brothers. CONCLUSION: Times of testing await those who are guilty and often prove the effectual means of awakening...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Genesis 42:4. _Benjamin._ Jacob wished to reserve him to be heir of the blessing instead of Joseph, who he thought was dead. Hence he let the ten go, for it is highly probable that the Egyptians would...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt._ THE FAMINE IN THE HOUSE OF JACOB I. CONSIDERED IN ITS REARING UPON THE DIVINE PURPOSES CONCERNING THE CHOSEN PEOPLE. II. CONSIDERED IN ITS EFFECT...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Genesis 42:1_ THE FAMINE IN THE HOUSE OF JACOB I. Considered in its bearing upon the Divine purposes concerning the chosen people. It had been long ago predicted t...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION GENESIS 42:1 NOW WHEN JACOB SAW—literally, _and Jacob saw, i.e._ perceived by the preparations of others for buying corn in Egypt (Lange), but more probably learnt by the report which othe...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    The Pharaoh in Egypt had had two dreams with similarities because they had one interpretation. The first dream involved the seven fat cows grazing by the river and seven lean cows rising up and eating...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    when Jacob. Genesis 41:54 Genesis 41:57 Acts 7:12 saw. i.e, heard, from the report of others, that there was Genesis 42:2...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN Genesis 42:1 INTRODUCTORY WORDS As we enter the Genesis 42:1 of Genesis we find Jacob and Joseph's brethren under the throes of the famine. As we see it from the Divine view...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    Jacob saw that there was corn — That is, he saw the corn that his neighbours had bought there and brought home....

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