John Gill Commentary Acts 7:11

"Now there came a famine over all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance." — Acts 7:11 (ASV)

Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt, and
Canaan
This dearth, or famine, is said to be in all lands (Genesis 41:54), though only Egypt and Canaan are mentioned here, because the history is concerned with no other. The Jewish writers ^F16 speak of three lands particularly, which were affected with it, Phenicia, Arabia, and Palestine; and this famine in the land of Israel, they say ^F17, which lasted seven years, was because Joseph was sold into Egypt, as before observed.

The Heathen writers mention this famine, particularly Justin ^F18, who speaking of Joseph says, that he foresaw many years before the barrenness of the fields; and all Egypt would have perished with famine, had not the king, through his advice, ordered by edict that corn be laid up for many years: this was the fifth of the ten famines, the Jews say have been or will be in the world ^F19.

and great affliction;
meaning the famine, which was very severe, and lasted a long time, even seven years: want of eating is called (ywnye), "affliction", by the Jews ^F20; by which they mean fasting, which is a voluntary want of eating, or abstinence from it; and if that is an affliction, then much more want of food, or abstinence through necessity; compare (1 Timothy 5:10).

And our fathers found not sustenance;
Jacob and his family could not get sufficient provision in the land of Canaan, where they then were, but were obliged to go to Egypt for it.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F16: Bereshit Rabba, sect. 90. fol. 78. 1.
• F17: Pirke Eliezer, c. 38.
• F18: Ex Trogo, l. 36. c. 2.
• F19: Targum in Ruth i. 1.
• F20: Moses Kotsensis Mitzvot Tora pr. Affirm. 32.