Genesis 43:1
Genesis 43:1 in Multiple Translations
Now the famine was still severe in the land.
And the famine was sore in the land.
And the famine was sore in the land.
Now the land was in bitter need of food.
The famine continued to be really bad in Canaan,
Now great famine was in the land.
And the famine [is] severe in the land;
The famine was severe in the land.
And the famine was severe in the land.
In the mean time the famine was heavy upon all the land.
The famine in Canaan got worse.
Some time later, there was still no rain and no food plants growing in Canaan country, and everybody was really hungry.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 43:1
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 43:1 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/הָ/רָעָ֖ב
כָּבֵ֥ד
בָּ/אָֽרֶץ
וְ/הָ/רָעָ֖ב
râʻâb
H7458
famine
Conj | Art | N-ms
כָּבֵ֥ד
kâbêd
H3515
heavy
Adj
בָּ/אָֽרֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Prep | N-cs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 43:1
וְ/הָ/רָעָ֖ב
râʻâb
H7458
"famine"
Conj | Art | N-ms
Famine or hunger is what this Hebrew word represents, often referring to a lack of food or spiritual nourishment. It appears in books like Genesis and Jeremiah, highlighting the importance of trust in God during difficult times.
Definition: 1) famine, hunger 1a) famine (in land, nation) 1a1) of Jehovah's word (fig) 1b) hunger (of individuals)
Usage: Occurs in 88 OT verses. KJV: dearth, famine, [phrase] famished, hunger. See also: Genesis 12:10; Jeremiah 14:12; Psalms 33:19.
כָּבֵ֥ד
kâbêd
H3515
"heavy"
Adj
Something or someone that is heavy or severe is what this word describes, like a heavy heart in Proverbs 12 or a difficult task, as in Matthew 23.
Definition: 1) heavy, great 1a) heavy 1b) massive, abundant, numerous 1c) heavy, dull 1d) hard, difficult, burdensome 1e) very oppressive, numerous, rich
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: (so) great, grievous, hard(-ened), (too) heavy(-ier), laden, much, slow, sore, thick. See also: Genesis 12:10; Numbers 11:14; Psalms 38:5.
בָּ/אָֽרֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Prep | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
Study Notes — Genesis 43:1
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 43:1 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 43:1
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 43:1
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 43:1
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 43:1
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 43:1
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 43:1
- Barnes' Notes on Genesis 43:1
- Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 43:1
- Sermons on Genesis 43:1
Context — The Return to Egypt with Benjamin
1Now the famine was still severe in the land.
2So 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.” 3But Judah replied, “The man solemnly warned us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 12:10 | Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. |
| 2 | Acts 7:11–13 | Then famine and great suffering swept across Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers could not find food. When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers on their first visit. On their second visit, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers, and his family became known to Pharaoh. |
| 3 | Lamentations 5:10 | Our skin is as hot as an oven with fever from our hunger. |
| 4 | Ecclesiastes 9:1–2 | So I took all this to heart and concluded that the righteous and the wise, as well as their deeds, are in God’s hands. Man does not know what lies ahead, whether love or hate. It is the same for all: There is a common fate for the righteous and the wicked, for the good and the bad, for the clean and the unclean, for the one who sacrifices and the one who does not. As it is for the good, so it is for the sinner; as it is for the one who makes a vow, so it is for the one who refuses to take a vow. |
| 5 | Genesis 18:13 | And the LORD asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Can I really bear a child when I am old?’ |
| 6 | Genesis 42:5 | So the sons of Israel were among those who came to buy grain, since the famine had also spread to the land of Canaan. |
| 7 | Genesis 41:54–57 | the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. And although there was famine in every country, there was food throughout the land of Egypt. When extreme hunger came to all the land of Egypt and the people cried out to Pharaoh for food, he told all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you.” When the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened up all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians; for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. And every nation came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth. |
Genesis 43:1 Summary
This verse tells us that the famine, or severe lack of food, was still affecting the land where Jacob and his family lived. This meant that they were struggling to find enough food to eat, which is why Jacob told his sons to go back to Egypt to buy more food, as we see in Genesis 43:2. Just like Jacob's family had to trust that God would provide for them, we can also trust that God will take care of us, even when things seem difficult or uncertain, as promised in Matthew 6:25-34 and Philippians 4:19.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the condition of the land during this time?
The land was still experiencing a severe famine, as stated in Genesis 43:1, which was a continuation of the famine mentioned in Genesis 41:54 and Genesis 42:5.
How did the famine affect Jacob's family?
The famine had caused Jacob's family to rely on the food they had obtained from Egypt, which had now been consumed, prompting Jacob to instruct his sons to return to Egypt for more food, as seen in Genesis 43:2.
Is this famine a punishment from God?
While the Bible does not explicitly state that this famine was a direct punishment from God, it is clear that God was sovereign over the situation, as seen in Genesis 45:5, where Joseph tells his brothers that God had sent him to Egypt to preserve their lives.
How does this verse relate to the larger narrative of Joseph's story?
This verse serves as a transition, highlighting the ongoing struggle of Jacob's family due to the famine, which ultimately leads to the reunion of Joseph with his brothers, as foretold in Genesis 37:5-11 and fulfilled in Genesis 45:1-15.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that God provides for us in times of need, even when we may not see a clear solution?
- How can we trust in God's sovereignty, even in the midst of difficult circumstances like famine or hardship?
- What are some ways that we can be a source of hope and provision for others, just as Joseph would eventually be for his family?
- In what ways can we see God's hand of providence in our own lives, even in the midst of challenges or uncertainties?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 43:1
And the famine [was] sore in the land. In the land of Canaan; it increased yet more and more: this is observed for the sake of what follows, showing the reason and necessity of Jacob's sons taking a second journey into Egypt.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 43:1
And the famine was sore in the land. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 43:1
Genesis 43:1 And the famine [was] sore in the land.Ver. 1. And the famine was sore in the land.] In the Promised Land. Hold out faith and patience. Os quod in sorte tua cecidit, rodas: Bear thy cross, and be content. Drus., in Adag.
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 43:1
XLIII. THE SECOND VISIT TO EGYPT.(7) The man asked us straitly.—In Genesis 42:13 they appear rather as volunteering a statement of their family relations than as having it wrung from them by cross-examination. But really this history must be taken as explaining and supplementing the former. Accused of being spies, they would naturally give an account of themselves, and Joseph, anxious to know about his father and brother, would certainly put numerous questions to them concerning their home and family. And they would answer them fully and frankly, little suspecting who was the questioner, and what was his real reason for exacting Benjamin’s presence in proof of their trustworthiness: Of our state and of our kindred.—Heb., concerning ourselves and our birthplace (see Genesis 12:1; Genesis 24:4; Genesis 24:7; Genesis 31:3), that is, our home. Questions about ourselves would be such as those given: “Is your father yet alive? Have ye a brother?” And besides these, Joseph would interrogate them closely concerning the place whence they came, and the state of things there.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 43:1
CHAPTER XLIII The famine continuing, Jacob desires his sons to go again to Egypt and buy some food, 1, 2. Judah shows the necessity of Benjamin's accompanying them, without whom it would be useless to return to Egypt, 3-5. Jacob expostulates with him, 6. Judah replies, and offers to become surety for Benjamin, 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, 11-15. They arrive in Egypt, and are brought to Joseph's house to dine with him, at which they are greatly alarmed, 16-18. They speak to the steward of Joseph's house concerning the money returned in their sacks, 19-22. He gives them encouragement, 23, 24. Having made ready the present, they bring it to Joseph when he came home to dine, 25, 26. He speaks kindly to them, and inquires concerning their health, and that of their father, 27, 28.
Joseph is greatly affected at seeing his brother Benjamin, 29-31. They dine with him, and are distinguished according to their seniority; but Benjamin receives marks of peculiar favour, 32-34. NOTES ON CHAP. XLIII
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 43:1
1–14. The Return to Egypt 2. Go again] That Jacob seems to forget about Simeon, is due to the change from the E to the J narrative.
Barnes' Notes on Genesis 43:1
- Joseph and His Eleven Brethren 11. דבשׁ debash, “honey,” from the bee, or sirup from the juice of the grape. בטנים bôṭen, “pistachio nuts.” שׁקד shâqêd, “almond tree;” related: “awake.” The tree is also called לוּז lûz.
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 43:1
THE SECOND JOURNEY TO EGYPT FOR FOOD, Genesis 43:1-15. 1. The famine was sore — Or, heavy. It had now continued two years. Genesis 45:6.
Sermons on Genesis 43:1
| Sermon | Description | |
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(Genesis) Genesis 43:1-15 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the dramatic section of the book of Genesis where Benjamin appears before Joseph. The famine in the land forces Jacob to send his sons back |
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Help Wanted: A Potter by Warren Wiersbe | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Jacob and his encounter with God at Bethel. Jacob had run away from his family and was sleeping with a stone as a pillow when he |
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(Genesis) Genesis 17 Intro by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the seven tests that God gave to Abraham. The first test was when God called Abraham out of his home in Ur of the Chaldees, and although Abrah |
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(Genesis) Genesis 46:4-7 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the three spiritual periods in the life of Jacob, which can be applicable to many believers today. The first period is when Jacob lived somewh |
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Abraham: A False Step by J. Glyn Owen | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that all genuine saints are flawed individuals who rely on the grace of God. He uses the example of Abram, who, like everyone else, had a fa |
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(Genesis) 25 - the Dance of Circumstances and the Danger of Compromise by S. Lewis Johnson | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the entangling web of sin and how one sin leads to another. He emphasizes the destruction of a believer's testimony and the chastisement of G |
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Following Living Suffering for Christ by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the seven verses of 1 Peter chapter four. He emphasizes that believers are being encouraged to live, testify, and suffer for Christ. The pre |