Genesis 43:2

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֗י
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֤ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#3
כִּלּוּ֙
And it came to pass when they had eaten up
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
#4
לֶֽאֱכֹ֣ל
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#5
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#6
הַשֶּׁ֔בֶר
the corn
grain (as if broken into kernels)
#7
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#8
הֵבִ֖יאוּ
which they had brought out
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#9
מִמִּצְרָ֑יִם
of Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
#10
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#11
אֲלֵיהֶם֙
near, with or among; often in general, to
#12
אֲבִיהֶ֔ם
H1
their father
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#13
שֻׁ֖בוּ
unto them Go again
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#14
שִׁבְרוּ
buy
to deal in grain
#15
לָ֥נוּ
H0
#16
מְעַט
us a little
a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)
#17
אֹֽכֶל׃
food
food

Analysis

The creation and providence theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the tribal and clan-based society of the ancient Near East. The author writes to address the foundational narrative for Israel's identity and relationship with God, making the emphasis on creation and providence particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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