King James Version

What Does Genesis 43:2 Mean?

Genesis 43:2 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, G... — study this verse from Genesis chapter 43 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Genesis 43:2 · KJV


Context

1

And the famine was sore in the land.

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.

3

And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you. did: Heb. protesting protested

4

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their fath... This passage is part of the Joseph narrative, a masterfully crafted account demonstrating God's sovereign providence working through human choices and circumstances to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The Joseph cycle shows how God transforms evil intentions into instruments of salvation.

Central themes include divine providence orchestrating events toward redemptive ends, the testing and refinement of character through suffering and success, forgiveness overcoming betrayal and injustice, and the preservation of God's covenant people through famine. Joseph's rise from slavery to second-in-command of Egypt illustrates how God exalts the humble and uses seeming disasters for ultimate good.

Theologically, these chapters reveal: (1) God's meticulous sovereignty over all events, even evil human actions; (2) suffering as preparation for future service rather than punishment; (3) forgiveness as reflecting divine character and enabling reconciliation; (4) God's covenant faithfulness across generations ensuring the survival and blessing of His people; (5) how present suffering gains meaning when viewed from the perspective of God's larger purposes. Joseph's words "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (50:20) epitomize biblical theodicy and providence.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. How should this truth about Feast shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיְהִ֗י1 of 17
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֤ר2 of 17
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

כִּלּוּ֙3 of 17

And it came to pass when they had eaten up

H3615

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

לֶֽאֱכֹ֣ל4 of 17
H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

אֶת5 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַשֶּׁ֔בֶר6 of 17

the corn

H7668

grain (as if broken into kernels)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר7 of 17
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הֵבִ֖יאוּ8 of 17

which they had brought out

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

מִמִּצְרָ֑יִם9 of 17

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר10 of 17

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵיהֶם֙11 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֲבִיהֶ֔ם12 of 17

their father

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

שֻׁ֖בוּ13 of 17

unto them Go again

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

שִׁבְרוּ14 of 17

buy

H7666

to deal in grain

לָ֥נוּ15 of 17
H0
מְעַט16 of 17

us a little

H4592

a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)

אֹֽכֶל׃17 of 17

food

H400

food


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 43:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 43:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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