Bible Strands
Genesis 42:1
When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why are you staring at one another?”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jacob addresses his sons after learning that grain is available in Egypt, challenging their passive hesitation. He initiates their first journey to secure provisions during the famine.
The words — וַיַּרְא (va.yar') translates literally as "and he saw" or "he perceived," marking Jacob's awareness of the situation. וַיֹּאמֶר (va.yomer) means "and he said," recording his direct command to his sons.
The thread — The grain in Egypt is referenced in Acts 7:12 as the reason Jacob sent his fathers on their first visit and in Genesis 41:54 as the beginning of the famine Joseph predicted. Joshua 7:10 is cited but addresses a different context of divine rebuke.
Why it lands — The text states that awareness of available provision must replace idle observation with decisive action. It requires the reader to move from perception to obedience when faced with a crisis.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another?
Cross-references
- Acts 7:12 When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers on their first visit.
- Joshua 7:10 But the LORD said to Joshua, “Stand up! Why have you fallen on your face?
- Genesis 41:54 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.
- Genesis 41:57 And every nation came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth.
- Genesis 42:2 “Look,” he added, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.”
- Exodus 5:19 The Israelite foremen realized they were in trouble when they were told, “You must not reduce your daily quota of bricks.”
- Exodus 20:18 When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sounding of the ram’s horn, and the mountain enveloped in smoke, they trembled and stood at a distance.
- 1 Kings 19:3 And Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there,
- 2 Kings 8:3 At the end of seven years, when the woman returned from the land of the Philistines, she went to the king to appeal for her house and her land.
- Ezra 10:4 Get up, for this matter is your responsibility, and we will support you. Be strong and take action!”