Genesis 43 · Verse 1

Genesis 43:1

And the famine was sore in the land.
Genesis 43:1, King James Version

Genesis 43:1 in other translations

BSBNow the famine was still severe in the land.
WEBThe famine was severe in the land.
ASVAnd the famine was sore in the land.
YLTAnd the famine is severe in the land;
DARBYAnd the famine was grievous in the land.
BBENow the land was in bitter need of food.
WebsterAnd the famine was severe in the land.

What does Genesis 43:1 mean?

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Introduction

The famine continuing, Jacob desires his sons to go again to Egypt and buy some food, Gen 43:1, Gen 43:2. Judah shows the necessity of Benjamin's accompanying them, without whom it would be useless to return to Egypt, Gen 43:3-5. Jacob expostulates with him, Gen 43:6. Judah replies, and offers to become surety for Benjamin, Gen 43:7-10. Jacob at last consenting and desires them to take a present with them for the governor of Egypt; and double money, that which they had brought back in their sacks' mouth, and the price of the load they were now to bring; and, having prayed for them, sends them away, Gen 43:11-15. They arrive in Egypt, and are brought to Joseph's house to dine with him, at which they are greatly alarmed, Gen 43:16-18. They speak to the steward of Joseph's house concerning the money returned in their sacks, Gen 43:19-22. He gives them encouragement, Gen 43:23, Gen 43:24. Having made ready the present, they bring it to Joseph when he came home to dine, Gen 43:25, Gen 43:26. He speaks kindly to them, and inquires concerning their health, and that of their father, Gen 43:27, Gen 43:28. Joseph is greatly affected at seeing his brother Benjamin, Gen 43:29-31. They dine with him, and are distinguished according to their seniority; but Benjamin receives marks of peculiar favor, Gen 43:32-34.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Genesis 43:1-14
Jacob urges his sons to go and buy a little food; now, in time of dearth, a little must suffice. Judah urges that Benjamin should go with them. It is not against the honour and duty children owe their parents, humbly to advise them, and when needful, to reason with them. Jacob saw the necessity of the case, and yielded. His prudence and justice appeared in three things. 1. He sent back the money they had found in the sack. Honesty obliges us to restore not only that which comes to us by our own fault, but that which comes to us by the mistakes of others. Though we get it by oversight, if we keep it when the oversight is discovered, it is kept by deceit. 2. He sent as much again as they took the time before; the price of corn might be risen, or they might have to pay a ransom for Simeon. 3. He sent a present of such things as the land afforded, and as were scarce in Egypt, balm, and honey, &c. Providence dispenses not its gifts to all alike. But honey and spice will never make up the want of bread-corn. The famine was sore in Canaan, yet they had balm and myrrh, &c. We may live well enough upon plain food, without dainties; but we cannot live upon dainties without plain food. Let us thank God that what is most needful and useful, generally is most cheap and common. Though men value very highly their gold and silver, and the luxuries which are counted the best fruits of every land, yet in a time of famine they willingly barter them for bread. And how little will earthly good things stand us in stead in the day of wrath! How ready should we be to renounce them all, as loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ! Our way to prevail with man is by first prevailing with the Lord in fervent prayer. But, Thy will be done, should close every petition for the mercies of this life, or against the afflictions of this life.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Genesis 43:1 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וְהָרָעָ֖בve.ha.ra.'Avand the famineH7458
כָּבֵ֥דka.Ved[was] heavyH3515
בָּאָֽרֶץ\׃ba.'A.retzin the landH776

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Genesis 43:1

  • Genesis 12:10

    And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.

  • Genesis 42:5

    And the sons of Israel came to buy corn among those that came: for the famine was in the land of Canaan.

  • Genesis 41:54-57

    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. And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do. And the famine was over all the face of the earth: And Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt. And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.

  • Ecclesiastes 9:1-2

    For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them. All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

  • Acts 7:11-13

    Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance. But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first. And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph’s kindred was made known unto Pharaoh.

  • Lamentations 5:10

    Our skin was black like an oven because of the terrible famine.

  • Genesis 18:13

    And the Lord said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1 Jacob is hardly persuaded to send Benjamin.
15 Joseph entertains his brethren.
19 They discover their fears to the steward.
26 Joseph makes them a feast.

18:13; 41:54-57; 42:5; Ec 9:1,2; La 5:10; Ac 7:11-13

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Genesis 43:1

    And the famine was sore in the land.

  • Genesis 43:2

    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.

Read all of Genesis 43

Genesis 43:1 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y EL hambre era grande en la tierra.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		*Et la famine pesait sur le pays.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und die Hungersnot war schwer im Lande.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Interim fames omnem terram vehementer premebat.