421 When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, "Why do you just keep looking at each other?"
421 Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another?
421 When Jacob learned that there was grain for sale in Egypt, he said to his sons, "Why do you look at one another?"
421 When Jacob learned that there was food in Egypt, he said to his sons, "Why do you sit around here and look at one another?
421 When Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, Jacob said to his sons, "Why do you look at one another?"
421 When Jacob heard that grain was available in Egypt, he said to his sons, "Why are you standing around looking at one another?
2 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."
2 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.
2 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."
2 I've heard that there is food in Egypt. Go down there and buy some so that we can survive and not starve to death."
2 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."
2 I have heard there is grain in Egypt. Go down there, and buy enough grain to keep us alive. Otherwise we'll die."
(Read Genesis 42:1-6)
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 be had? Having discovered where help is to be had, we should apply for it without delay, without shrinking from labour, or grudging expense, especially as regards our never-dying souls. There is provision in Christ; but we must come to him, and seek it from him.
19 If you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here in prison, while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households.
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:
19 if you are honest men, let one of your brothers remain confined where you are in custody, and let the rest go and carry grain for the famine of your households,
19 If you're as honest as you say you are, one of your brothers will stay here in jail while the rest of you take the food back to your hungry families.
19 If you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined to your prison house; but you, go and carry grain for the famine of your houses.
19 If you really are honest men, choose one of your brothers to remain in prison. The rest of you may go home with grain for your starving families.
(Read Genesis 42:7-20)
Joseph was hard upon his brethren, not from a spirit of revenge, but to bring them to repentance. Not seeing his brother Benjamin, he suspected that they had made away with him, and he gave them occasion to speak of their father and brother. God, in his providence, sometimes seems harsh with those he loves, and speaks roughly to those for whom yet he has great mercy in store. Joseph settled at last, that one of them should be left, and the rest go home and fetch Benjamin. It was a very encouraging word he said to them, "I fear God;" as if he had said, You may be assured I will do you no wrong; I dare not, for I know there is one higher than I. With those that fear God, we may expect fair dealing.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 42:1
Commentary on Genesis 42:1-6
(Read Genesis 42:1-6)
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 be had? Having discovered where help is to be had, we should apply for it without delay, without shrinking from labour, or grudging expense, especially as regards our never-dying souls. There is provision in Christ; but we must come to him, and seek it from him.