Genesis 42:1

KJV

¶ Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another?

KJV (with Strong's)

Now when Jacob {H3290} saw {H7200} that there was {H3426} corn {H7668} in Egypt {H4714}, Jacob {H3290} said {H559} unto his sons {H1121}, Why do ye look {H7200} one upon another?

Complete Jewish Bible

Now Ya'akov saw that there was grain in Egypt; so Ya'akov said to his sons, "Why are you staring at each other?

Berean Standard Bible

When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why are you staring at one another?”

American Standard Version

Now Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, and Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 42:1 opens a pivotal chapter in the patriarchal narrative, revealing Jacob's family in Canaan facing a severe famine while news of available grain in Egypt reaches them. Jacob, observing his sons' passive despair, challenges their inaction and commands them to journey to Egypt for sustenance, thereby initiating the divinely orchestrated reunion with Joseph and the preservation of God's chosen lineage.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the detailed account of Joseph's rise to power in Egypt and his divinely inspired administration of the seven years of plenty and the subsequent onset of the global famine (see [Genesis 41](/genesis/41 "Joseph's Rise and the Famine")). The narrative shifts from Joseph's administrative success to the plight of his family, setting the stage for the dramatic and long-awaited reunion. Jacob's family, unaware that Joseph is alive and in power, is now directly impacted by the very famine Joseph prepared for. This verse serves as the narrative catalyst, propelling Jacob's sons into the situation that will inevitably lead them to their brother and fulfill the dreams Joseph had decades earlier (see [Genesis 37:5-11](/genesis/37-5-11 "Joseph's Dreams")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Near East was highly susceptible to famine due to reliance on seasonal rains and river floods (like the Nile). A "severe" famine, as described in [Genesis 41:56](/genesis/41-56 "The famine spreads over all the face of the earth"), would have been catastrophic, leading to widespread starvation and forced migration in search of food. Egypt, with its unique Nile-fed agriculture and Joseph's strategic grain storage, became the sole beacon of hope for survival in the region. Patriarchal families, like Jacob's, were large, extended households, and the patriarch (Jacob) held ultimate authority and responsibility for the family's welfare and survival. His sons' inaction in the face of such a crisis would have been seen as a dereliction of their duty.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 42:1 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Genesis. It highlights **Divine Providence**, demonstrating how God orchestrates seemingly unrelated events—Joseph's enslavement and rise, the famine, and Jacob's command—to fulfill His covenant promises (see [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "God's Covenant with Abram")). The verse also underscores the theme of **Human Responsibility within God's Plan**, as Jacob's initiative is a necessary human response to the crisis, even as God's sovereign hand guides the entire process. Furthermore, it sets up the theme of **Reconciliation and Forgiveness** that will unfold as Joseph's brothers are brought low and confronted with their past actions (see [Genesis 45:1-15](/genesis/45-1-15 "Joseph reveals himself to his brothers")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jacob (Hebrew, _Yaʻăqôb'_):** From the root meaning "heel-catcher" or "supplanter," this name signifies the patriarch who wrestled with God and man, and whose name was changed to Israel (see [Genesis 32:28](/genesis/32-28 "Jacob renamed Israel")). Here, he is depicted in his role as the head of the family, discerning the dire situation and taking decisive action for his household's survival.
* **saw (Hebrew, _râʼâh'_):** This primitive root means "to see," encompassing literal observation, figurative perception, and even discernment. In this context, Jacob's "seeing" is not merely visual but implies a clear understanding and recognition of the critical reality—the presence of grain in Egypt versus the famine in Canaan—which prompts his subsequent action and rebuke.
* **corn (Hebrew, _sheber'_):** This term refers to "grain" or "victuals" (provisions), specifically broken kernels or produce. In the KJV, "corn" is a general term for cereal grains like wheat or barley, not modern maize. Jacob's observation of "corn" in Egypt means he recognized a reliable source of sustenance, a stark contrast to the scarcity his family was enduring.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt":** This opening clause immediately establishes the setting and the core problem. Jacob, the patriarch, is acutely aware of the widespread famine affecting his region. Crucially, he also possesses the vital information that Egypt, under Joseph's wise administration, has an abundance of "corn" (grain). His perception is the catalyst for the entire subsequent narrative, highlighting the contrast between the dire local conditions and the distant hope of provision.
* **"Jacob said unto his sons":** This phrase marks Jacob's direct address to his ten elder sons, who are present and seemingly inactive. As the head of the household, his word carries authority and initiates the necessary course of action. It underscores his role as the leader responsible for the family's welfare, even in their advanced age.
* **"Why do ye look one upon another?":** This rhetorical question is a sharp rebuke from Jacob. The Hebrew phrase *lammah titra'u* (לָמָּה תִּתְרָאוּ) implies a sense of mutual helplessness, passive staring, or even a silent, unproductive exchange of glances in the face of crisis. Jacob is expressing his exasperation with their inertia and lack of initiative. He is challenging them to move beyond passive despair and take practical, decisive action to secure food for the family.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant **Literary Devices**. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "Why do ye look one upon another?" Jacob's question is not seeking information but rather serves as a sharp rebuke, designed to provoke action and shame his sons out of their passive despair. It highlights their inertia in contrast to the pressing need. There is also a subtle **Irony** at play: the sons are staring helplessly at each other, unaware that the very source of their salvation—their long-lost brother Joseph—is in the land where they must go. Furthermore, the verse functions as a narrative **Catalyst**, initiating the journey to Egypt that will lead to the dramatic reunion and the unfolding of God's overarching plan for the preservation of Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 42:1 powerfully illustrates God's meticulous **Divine Providence**, even through human inaction and exasperation. The famine, a natural disaster, becomes a divinely appointed mechanism to move Jacob's family into Egypt, where they will be preserved and grow into a great nation, fulfilling the covenant promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jacob's observation and subsequent command, while seemingly a pragmatic response to a crisis, are integral steps within God's larger, sovereign plan, demonstrating that human responsibility and divine orchestration work in concert.

* [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Man does not live on bread alone")
* [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus")
* [Proverbs 6:6](/proverbs/6-6 "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In our own lives, facing overwhelming circumstances can often lead to paralysis, much like Jacob's sons "looking one upon another." This verse serves as a potent reminder that while we trust in God's sovereign provision, we are also called to active, Spirit-led initiative. We are not to be passive observers of our difficulties but proactive seekers of God-ordained solutions. Jacob's rebuke challenges us to move beyond despair, blame, or inaction, and to engage with our circumstances with wisdom and courage. It encourages us to discern where God might be providing "corn" in our "Egypts"—unexpected resources, opportunities, or guidance—and to step out in faith and obedience, even when the path is uncertain. This proactive stance, rooted in trust, allows us to participate in God's unfolding plan for our lives and for the world around us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you currently "looking one upon another" in passive despair or inaction, rather than seeking God's provision and taking initiative?**
* **How does Jacob's example encourage you to trust God's provision, even when it comes from unexpected or seemingly unlikely sources?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to move from paralysis to proactive engagement with a challenge you are facing, trusting God to guide your efforts?**

### FAQ
**What does "corn" mean in Genesis 42:1?**

Answer: In the King James Version, "corn" is an archaic term referring broadly to grain, such as wheat or barley, which were staple crops in the ancient Near East. It does not refer to maize (what modern English speakers typically call "corn"), which originated in the Americas and was unknown in that region at the time. The Hebrew word used is *sheber* (שֶׁבֶר), meaning "grain" or "victuals." Jacob's observation that there was "corn in Egypt" meant there was a supply of food available there.

**Why did Jacob's sons "look one upon another"?**

Answer: Jacob's rhetorical question, "Why do ye look one upon another?" (Hebrew: *lammah titra'u*), conveys a sense of mutual helplessness, idleness, or even a silent, unproductive exchange of glances in the face of the severe famine. It expresses Jacob's exasperation with their passive despair and lack of initiative. He was urging them to cease their unproductive staring and instead consider a practical course of action to find food, which was readily available in [Egypt](/genesis/41-57 "All countries came to Egypt to buy grain").

**Does Jacob's question imply a lack of faith?**

Answer: Jacob's question is primarily an expression of practical leadership and a call to action rather than a sign of a lack of faith. While he undoubtedly relied on God's providence, he also understood the necessity of human effort and initiative in response to a crisis. His question challenges his sons' inertia, prompting them to take the necessary steps to secure food, which ultimately aligns with God's larger plan to preserve his family and bring them into [Egypt](/genesis/46-1-7 "Jacob and his family go to Egypt"). It highlights the biblical principle that faith often requires corresponding action.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 42:1, though a scene of earthly need and human response, subtly foreshadows the ultimate provision found in Christ. Joseph, the one who stored up grain and became the savior of his family and the nations, stands as a profound type of Christ, who is the true "bread of life" (as declared in [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "Jesus, the Bread of Life")), offering eternal sustenance to a spiritually famished world. Just as Jacob's sons had to journey to Egypt to receive physical nourishment from Joseph, humanity must come to Christ to receive spiritual life and salvation. The entire narrative of Jacob's family being preserved and brought to Egypt, a place of refuge and growth, ultimately points to God's meticulous plan to preserve the lineage through which the Messiah would come (see [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1-17 "The Genealogy of Jesus Christ")), ensuring that the promised Redeemer would be born to bring everlasting provision and deliverance to all who believe (as seen in [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "For God so loved the world")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 7:12

But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first.

Joshua 7:10

¶ And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face?

Exodus 5:19

And the officers of the children of Israel did see [that] they [were] in evil [case], after it was said, Ye shall not minish [ought] from your bricks of your daily task.

Genesis 42:2

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.

Galatians 2:7

But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as [the gospel] of the circumcision [was] unto Peter;

Exodus 20:18

¶ And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw [it], they removed, and stood afar off.

Genesis 41:54

And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.