Genesis 43:2

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass, when they had eaten up {H3615}{H398} the corn {H7668} which they had brought out {H935} of Egypt {H4714}, their father {H1} said {H559} unto them, Go again {H7725}, buy {H7666} us a little {H4592} food {H400}.

Complete Jewish Bible

so when they had eaten up the grain which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said to them, "Go again, buy us a little food."

Berean Standard Bible

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.”

American Standard Version

And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the grain which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 43:2 vividly portrays the escalating crisis within Jacob's household as the severe famine relentlessly continues, leading to the complete depletion of the grain supply they had previously acquired from Egypt. This dire and immediate need for sustenance compels Jacob, despite his profound reluctance, to instruct his sons to undertake another perilous journey to Egypt for more food, thereby setting in motion the events that will ultimately lead to the difficult decision to send Benjamin and the long-awaited reunion with Joseph.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a pivotal turning point, immediately following the brothers' return from their initial grain-buying expedition to Egypt in [Genesis 42](/genesis/42 "Genesis 42 - Joseph's Brothers in Egypt"). During that trip, Joseph, unrecognized by his brothers, had made a weighty demand: they must bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, on their next visit to prove their honesty and secure the release of Simeon, whom he held captive ([Genesis 42:20](/genesis/42-20 "Joseph's demand for Benjamin")). Jacob had vehemently resisted this demand, fearing for Benjamin's safety, especially after the presumed loss of Joseph ([Genesis 42:38](/genesis/42-38 "Jacob's lament over Benjamin")). Genesis 43:2 highlights the exhaustion of their provisions, making further delay impossible and forcing Jacob to confront the agonizing choice between his deep-seated fear and the survival of his entire family.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of a severe, multi-year famine that gripped the entire ancient Near East, as foretold in [Genesis 41](/genesis/41 "Genesis 41 - Pharaoh's Dreams and Joseph's Rise"). Egypt, with its unique agricultural system reliant on the Nile's annual inundation and Joseph's provident management, was the only region with abundant grain. This made Egypt the sole source of sustenance for surrounding nations, including Canaan, where Jacob and his family resided. The term "corn" in the KJV refers to general grain (like wheat or barley), not maize. The act of "eating up" all the grain underscores the widespread and devastating impact of this famine, forcing even wealthy patriarchs like Jacob to rely on external provision and endure arduous journeys for survival.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 43:2 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book. Firstly, it emphasizes the **severity of the famine** and the **fragility of human life** in the face of natural disaster, highlighting humanity's dependence on divine provision. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **divine sovereignty and providence**, as the famine, though a hardship, is God's chosen instrument to bring Jacob's family into Egypt, ultimately fulfilling His covenant promises and preserving the nascent nation of Israel ([Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "God's Redemptive Purpose in Joseph's Story")). Finally, it develops the theme of **Jacob's leadership and the family's survival**, showcasing his continued role as patriarch, making difficult decisions for the well-being of his descendants, even when it means confronting his deepest fears.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **eaten up (Hebrew, _ʼâkal_ H398 and _kâlâh_ H3615):** The KJV phrase "eaten up" combines two Hebrew verbs. `ʼâkal` (to eat) signifies the act of consumption, while `kâlâh` (to end, consume, finish) emphasizes the complete depletion or exhaustion of the supply. Together, they powerfully convey that the grain was not merely consumed but entirely finished, leaving no reserves. This highlights the absolute necessity of their next action.
* **father (Hebrew, _ʼâb_ H1):** This word refers to Jacob, the patriarch of the family. Its use here underscores his authority and responsibility as the head of the household. Despite his advanced age and emotional distress over Joseph and Benjamin, he remains the one who makes the crucial decisions for the family's survival, demonstrating his enduring role as the leader and provider.
* **buy (Hebrew, _shâbar_ H7666):** Derived from a root meaning "to deal in grain," this verb specifically refers to the act of purchasing grain. It indicates that the family was not seeking charity but was prepared to pay for their sustenance, reflecting the economic realities of the time. The repeated need to "buy" food from Egypt further emphasizes the ongoing nature of the famine and their complete reliance on this external source.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt,"**: This opening clause establishes the critical situation. The phrase "it came to pass" (a common Hebrew narrative transition) signals a significant development. The core meaning is that the entire supply of grain ("corn," i.e., general grain like wheat or barley) that the brothers had brought back from their first trip to Egypt was now completely consumed. This signifies the dire reality of the ongoing famine, which had exhausted even a substantial initial purchase, leaving the family without food and facing imminent starvation.
* **"their father said unto them,"**: This simple phrase identifies the speaker as Jacob, the patriarch, and sets the stage for his authoritative command. It highlights his continued role as the decision-maker and provider for his large family, even in the face of profound personal anguish and the difficult choices ahead. His words carry the weight of patriarchal authority and the desperation of the circumstances.
* **"Go again, buy us a little food."**: This is Jacob's direct command, born out of absolute necessity. "Go again" emphasizes the reluctant return journey they must undertake. The instruction to "buy us a little food" reveals the immediate and pressing need for sustenance. The word "little" (Hebrew, _mᵉʻaṭ_ H4592) suggests a pragmatic approach, perhaps acknowledging the difficulty and cost of acquiring grain, or simply expressing the immediate, urgent need for any amount to survive, rather than a large, long-term supply. This command, though brief, sets the entire subsequent narrative in motion, forcing the family to confront the demands of the Egyptian ruler.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several subtle but powerful literary devices. **Irony** is present in the fact that Jacob's family, the chosen lineage through whom God's promises would be fulfilled, is brought to the brink of starvation, forcing them into a situation that ultimately leads to the fulfillment of Joseph's dreams and the preservation of the family. The very hardship (famine) becomes the catalyst for divine purpose. There is also an element of **Foreshadowing**, as Jacob's reluctant command to "Go again" sets the stage for the dramatic reunion with Joseph, the revelation of his identity, and the eventual relocation of the entire family to Egypt. The phrase "eaten up the corn" functions as **Hyperbole** to emphasize the absolute and total depletion of their resources, conveying the extreme urgency and desperation of their situation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 43:2, though seemingly simple, is rich with theological implications. It starkly illustrates the **sovereignty of God** working through natural circumstances and human desperation. The famine, a devastating natural event, is not random but serves as a divine instrument to orchestrate the next phase of God's plan for Jacob's family. It forces them into a position where they must confront their past (their sin against Joseph) and rely entirely on external provision, ultimately leading them to the very one God had strategically placed in power to save them. This highlights that even in moments of scarcity and fear, God is actively guiding His people, using hardship to bring about His redemptive purposes and to deepen their trust in His ultimate provision.

* [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "God's Redemptive Purpose through Evil")
* [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Man Does Not Live by Bread Alone")
* [Psalm 37:25](/psalms/37-25 "The Righteous Never Forsaken")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 43:2 offers a profound lesson on how God often uses our moments of acute need and discomfort to propel us into His greater purposes. Just as the complete depletion of food forced Jacob to make a decision he desperately wanted to avoid, so too can our own "famines"—whether financial, emotional, spiritual, or relational—become catalysts for growth and divine intervention. This verse calls us to examine how we respond when our resources are exhausted and our fears are heightened. Do we despair, or do we, like Jacob, reluctantly but ultimately, take the necessary steps, trusting that God is at work even in the most challenging circumstances? It reminds us that our deepest needs often lead us to the very place where God intends to reveal His provision and His plan, often in ways we could never anticipate. This passage encourages a posture of dependence on God, recognizing that even when our cupboards are bare, His sovereignty remains abundant.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "famines" or moments of scarcity in your life have forced you to make difficult decisions you initially resisted?**
* **How can recognizing God's sovereignty in difficult circumstances help you trust Him more fully, even when you don't understand His plan?**
* **In what ways might God be using a current challenge or lack in your life to move you towards a greater purpose or deeper reliance on Him?**

### FAQ
**What does "corn" mean in Genesis 43:2?**

Answer: In the King James Version, the term "corn" is an archaic English word that refers broadly to any type of grain, such as wheat, barley, or other cereals, which were staple crops in the ancient Near East. It does not refer to maize, the plant commonly known as "corn" in modern American English, which originated in the Americas and was unknown in the biblical world. Therefore, when the verse states "they had eaten up the corn," it means Jacob's family had completely consumed all their stored grain, highlighting the severity of the famine that necessitated their return to [Egypt for more provisions](/genesis/42-1-3 "Genesis 42:1-3 - Jacob Sends Sons to Egypt").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Genesis 43:2 describes a mundane act of survival in a time of famine, it subtly yet powerfully points to the overarching redemptive narrative that culminates in Christ. The physical hunger and complete depletion of resources experienced by Jacob's family serve as a profound metaphor for humanity's spiritual destitution and inability to sustain itself. Just as the famine forced Jacob's sons to seek life-sustaining provision from an external source—Joseph in Egypt—so too does humanity's spiritual hunger, brought about by sin, drive us to Christ. Joseph, as a type of Christ, is the one who holds the power to provide life, reconcile, and preserve. He is the "bread" from Egypt, foreshadowing Jesus, who declared Himself the "[Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")" (John 6:35), the only one who can truly satisfy our deepest spiritual hunger. The necessary journey to Egypt, born of physical necessity, thus prefigures the spiritual journey of faith, where we come to Christ for eternal salvation and preservation, finding in Him the ultimate provision for our souls and reconciliation with God, just as Joseph brought reconciliation and life to his family ([John 6:51](/john/6-51 "John 6:51 - Jesus Gives His Flesh for the Life of 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

Genesis 42:1

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

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.

Genesis 43:20

And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:

1 Timothy 5:8

But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

Proverbs 15:16

¶ Better [is] little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

Genesis 43:4

If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food:

1 Timothy 6:6

¶ But godliness with contentment is great gain.