What does Genesis 42:2 mean?
News has reached Jacob and his large clan (Genesis 35:23–26) that grain can be purchased in Egypt. The whole world is caught in the grip of a terrible famine, and only Egypt has food (Genesis 41:53–54). Jacob seems frustrated with his sons, who are not taking the obvious action: going to Egypt to buy grain (Genesis 42:1). It is unclear why the sons have hesitated to take this action.What none of Jacob's family know is that Egypt has grain only because of their lost brother, Joseph (Genesis 41:34–36; 55–57). Jacob believes his son is dead (Genesis 37:31–34), but he was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers (Genesis 37:28).