Genesis Chapter 42 verse 1 Holy Bible
Now Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, and Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another?
read chapter 42 in ASV
Now Jacob, hearing that there was grain in Egypt, said to his sons, Why are you looking at one another?
read chapter 42 in BBE
And Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, and Jacob said to his sons, Why do ye look one upon another?
read chapter 42 in DARBY
Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another?
read chapter 42 in KJV
Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said to his sons, Why do ye look one upon another?
read chapter 42 in WBT
Now Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, and Jacob said to his sons, "Why do you look at one another?"
read chapter 42 in WEB
And Jacob seeth that there is corn in Egypt, and Jacob saith to his sons, `Why do you look at each other?'
read chapter 42 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 1. - Now when Jacob saw - literally, and Jacob saw, i.e. perceived by the preparations of others for buying corn in Egypt (Lange), but more probably learnt by the report which others brought from. Egypt (ver. 2) - that there was corn - שֶׁבֶר, either that which is broken, e.g. ground as in a mill, from שָׁבַר, to break in pieces, to shiver (Gesenius), or that which breaks forth, hence sprouts or geminates, from an unused root, שָׁבַר, to press out, to break forth (Furst), is here employed to denote not simply grain, but a supply of it, frumenti cumulus, for sale and purchase. The LXX. render by πρᾶσις, and the Vulgate by quod alimenta venderentur - in Egypt (vide Genesis 41:54), Jacob (literally, and Jacob) said unto his sons, - using verba non, ut multi volunt, in. crepantis, sed excitantis (Rosenmüller) - Why do ye look one upon another? - i.e. in such a helpless and undecided manner (Keil), which, however, there is no need to regard as springing from a consciousness of guilt (Lange), the language fittingly depicting the aspect and attitude of those who are simply consiii inopes (Rosenmüller).
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English ReadersXLII.FIRST VISIT OF JOSEPH'S BRETHREN TO EGYPT.(1) When Jacob saw.--That is, learned, understood, that there was corn in Egypt. As we have seen (Genesis 37:25), there was a large caravan trade between Palestine and Egypt, and the report would gradually get abroad that food might be purchased there.Why do ye look . . . --In the second rainless season not only would the flocks and herds begin to languish, but the numerous retainers of Jacob and his sons would also become enfeebled from insufficient nourishment, and begin to die of low fever and those other diseases which follow in the train of famine. Jacob's words, therefore, mean, Why are you irresolute, and uncertain what to do? And then he encourages them to take this journey as a possible means of providing for the wants of their households.
