Genesis 42:3

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Thus Yosef's ten brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt,

Berean Standard Bible:

So ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt.

American Standard Version:

And Joseph’s ten brethren went down to buy grain from Egypt.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Joseph's^{H3130} ten^{H6235} brethren^{H251} went down^{H3381} to buy^{H7666} corn^{H1250} in Egypt^{H4714}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Genesis 42:3

Genesis 42:3, "And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt," is a verse that captures a pivotal moment in the narrative of Joseph and his brothers, a story that begins in Genesis 37. The historical context of this verse is set in the patriarchal era of the Israelites, when Joseph, one of the sons of Jacob (also known as Israel), was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and taken to Egypt. Years later, a famine struck the land of Canaan where Jacob and his family lived, as well as the broader ancient Near East.

This verse reflects the themes of providence and familial conflict that are central to the Joseph narrative. Joseph, through his God-given ability to interpret dreams, had risen to a position of power in Egypt as Pharaoh's chief administrator, overseeing the storage and distribution of grain during the seven years of plenty and the subsequent years of famine. His brothers, unaware of his true identity, come to Egypt to buy grain, which sets the stage for a series of events leading to the reconciliation and reunification of the family.

The verse also highlights the economic and agricultural realities of the ancient world, where famines were common and could compel entire families or tribes to seek sustenance from foreign lands. The act of going to Egypt to buy corn illustrates the desperate measures people would take to survive during such hardships. Additionally, this journey to Egypt is a fulfillment of Joseph's earlier dreams (Genesis 37:5-9), where his brothers' sheaves bowed down to his, symbolizing that they would eventually bow to him in real life, which indeed comes to pass as the story unfolds.

In summary, Genesis 42:3 is a verse that encapsulates the intersection of divine providence, family dynamics, and historical realities. It sets up the moment where Joseph's elevated status in Egypt will confront his past, leading to a dramatic resolution of the tensions within his family and demonstrating how God's plan can unfold even through human wrongdoing and natural disasters.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3130
   There are 193 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יוֹסֵף
   Transliteration: Yôwçêph
   Pronunciation: yo-safe'
   Description: future of יָסַף; let him add (or perhaps simply active participle adding); Joseph, the name of seven Israelites; Joseph. Compare יְהוֹסֵף.
   
2. Strong's Number: H6235
   There are 157 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֶשֶׂר
   Transliteration: ʻeser
   Pronunciation: eh'ser
   Description: masculine of term עֲשָׂרָה; from עָשַׂר; ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits); ten, (fif-, seven-) teen.
   
3. Strong's Number: H251
   There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָח
   Transliteration: ʼâch
   Pronunciation: awkh
   Description: a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father)); another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3381
   There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָרַד
   Transliteration: yârad
   Pronunciation: yaw-rad'
   Description: a primitive root; to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively, to bring down (in all the above applications); [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down.
   
5. Strong's Number: H7666
   There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁבַר
   Transliteration: shâbar
   Pronunciation: shaw-bar'
   Description: denominative from שֶׁבֶר; to deal in grain; buy, sell.
   
6. Strong's Number: H1250
   There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָּר
   Transliteration: bâr
   Pronunciation: bawr
   Description: or בַּר; from בָּרַר (in the sense of winnowing); grain of any kind (even while standing in the field); by extension the open country; corn, wheat.
   
7. Strong's Number: H4714
   There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִצְרַיִם
   Transliteration: Mitsrayim
   Pronunciation: mits-rah'-yim
   Description: dual of מָצוֹר; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt; Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim.