Why Jacob Tells His Sons to Go Down and Subdue the Land

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Miketz 9:3

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

(Gen. 42:2:) "Go down there." It is a descent for them. Go down and subdue the land before your children. {(Gen. 42:2, cont.:) "Go down there and buy for us from there"} [(Gen. 44:25:) "Return, buy us"] "a little food" (Gen. 44:25) — before those of whom it is written: "For you are the fewest of all the peoples" (Deut. 7:7).

Themes

PatriarchsJacobWisdomEgyptFamine

Biblical References

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