Genesis 42:1 - Exposition

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 ( Genesis 42:2 )— 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, increpantis, 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).