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Scripture · New Testament

Acts 7:12

Acts 7:12 is verse 12 of Acts chapter 7, shown here in the Berean Standard Bible.

Berean Standard Bible

When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers on their first visit.

BSB source and public domain terms

King James Version

But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first.

World English Bible

But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers the first time.

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Acts 7:10–14 · Berean Standard Bible

10 and rescued him from all his troubles. He granted Joseph favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and all his household.

11 Then famine and great suffering swept across Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers could not find food.

12 When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers on their first visit.

13 On their second visit, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers, and his family became known to Pharaoh.

14 Then Joseph sent for his father Jacob and all his relatives, seventy-five in all.

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Greek words

Data created by STEPBible.org based on work at Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0).

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Cross-references

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge lists these related verses. Scripture text comes from the Berean Standard Bible.

Genesis 42:1

When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why are you staring at one another?”

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.”

Genesis 42:3

So ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt.

Genesis 42:4

But Jacob did not send Joseph’s brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, “I am afraid that harm might befall him.”

Genesis 42:5

So the sons of Israel were among those who came to buy grain, since the famine had also spread to the land of Canaan.

Genesis 42:6

Now Joseph was the ruler of the land; he was the one who sold grain to all its people. So when his brothers arrived, they bowed down before him with their faces to the ground.

Genesis 42:7

And when Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he treated them as strangers and spoke harshly to them. “Where have you come from?” he asked. “From the land of Canaan,” they replied. “We are here to buy food.”

Genesis 42:8

Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him.

Genesis 42:9

Joseph remembered his dreams about them and said, “You are spies! You have come to see if our land is vulnerable.”

Genesis 42:10

“Not so, my lord,” they replied. “Your servants have come to buy food.

Genesis 42:11

We are all sons of one man. Your servants are honest men, not spies.”

Genesis 42:12

“No,” he told them. “You have come to see if our land is vulnerable.”

Genesis 42:13

But they answered, “Your servants are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan. The youngest is now with our father, and one is no more.”

Genesis 42:14

Then Joseph declared, “Just as I said, you are spies!

Genesis 42:15

And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you shall not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here.

Genesis 42:16

Send one of your number to get your brother; the rest of you will be confined so that the truth of your words may be tested. If they are untrue, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!”

Genesis 42:17

So Joseph imprisoned them for three days,

Genesis 42:18

and on the third day he said to them, “I fear God. So do this and you will live:

Genesis 42:19

If you are honest, leave one of your brothers in custody while the rest of you go and take back grain to relieve the hunger of your households.

Genesis 42:20

Then bring your youngest brother to me so that your words can be verified, that you may not die.” And to this they consented.

Genesis 42:21

Then they said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw his anguish when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.”

Genesis 42:22

And Reuben responded, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you would not listen. Now we must account for his blood!”

Genesis 42:23

They did not realize that Joseph understood them, since there was an interpreter between them.

Genesis 42:24

And he turned away from them and wept. When he turned back and spoke to them, he took Simeon from them and had him bound before their eyes.

Genesis 43:2

So when Jacob’s sons had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go back and buy us a little more food.”

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