Editing Jacob (section)

===Famine of the Near East===
{{see also|Joseph (Genesis)#Brothers sent to Egypt|l1=Joseph's brothers sent to Egypt}}
Twenty years later,<ref>Compare {{bibleref2|Genesis|37:2,41:46|NIV}}</ref> throughout the Middle East a severe famine occurred like none other that lasted seven years.<ref>''Hebrew-English Bible'' {{bibleverse||Genesis|41:53|HE}}</ref> It crippled nations.<ref>''Hebrew-English Bible'' {{bibleverse||Genesis|41:54–57,47:13|HE}}</ref> The word was that the only kingdom prospering was Egypt. In the second year of this great famine,<ref>''Hebrew-English Bible'' {{bibleverse||Genesis|45:9–11|HE}}</ref> when Israel (Jacob) was about 130 years old,<ref>Compare {{bibleverse||Genesis|47:9|HE}}</ref> he told his 10 sons of Leah, Bilhah and Zilpah, to go to Egypt and buy grain. Israel's youngest son Benjamin, born from Rachel, stayed behind by his father's order to keep him safe.<ref>''Hebrew-English Bible'' {{bibleverse||Genesis|42:1–5|HE}}</ref>

Nine of the sons returned to their father Israel from Egypt, stockpiled with grain on their donkeys. They relayed to their father all that had happened in Egypt. They spoke of being accused as spies and that their brother Simeon had been taken prisoner. When Reuben, the eldest, mentioned that they needed to bring Benjamin to Egypt to prove their word as honest men, their father became furious with them. He couldn't understand how they were put in a position to tell the Egyptians all about their family. When the sons of Israel opened their sacks, they saw their money that they used to pay for the grain. It was still in their possession, and so they all became afraid. Israel then became angry with the loss of Joseph, Simeon, and now possibly Benjamin.<ref>''Hebrew-English Bible'' {{bibleverse||Genesis|42:26–38|HE}}</ref>

It turned out that Joseph, who identified his brothers in Egypt, was able to secretly return the money that they used to pay for the grain, back to them.<ref>''Hebrew-English Bible'' {{bibleverse||Genesis|42:25|HE}}</ref> When the house of Israel consumed all the grain that they brought from Egypt, Israel told his sons to go back and buy more. This time, Judah spoke to his father in order to persuade him about having Benjamin accompany them, so as to prevent Egyptian retribution. In hopes of retrieving Simeon and ensuring Benjamin's return, Israel told them to bring the best fruits of their land, including: [[Melissa (plant)|balm]], [[honey]], spices, [[myrrh]], [[pistachio]] nuts and [[almonds]]. Israel also mentioned that the money that was returned to their money sacks was probably a mistake or an oversight on their part. So, he told them to bring that money back and use double that amount to pay for the new grain. Lastly, he let Benjamin go with them and said "may God Almighty give you mercy... If I am bereaved, I am bereaved!"<ref>''Hebrew-English Bible'' {{bibleverse||Genesis|43:1–14|HE}}</ref>