John Gill Commentary Acts 7:12

"But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent forth our fathers the first time." — Acts 7:12 (ASV)

But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt It was not corn then growing or being harvested, or that year's produce, for the famine was strong in Egypt as well as Canaan. Instead, it was what had been laid up and preserved in the seven years of plenty, by the order and care of Joseph, which by some means or another Jacob had heard of; see (Genesis 42:1Genesis 42:2) the Jews suggest ^F21 that it was by divine revelation:

he sent out our fathers first The first time, or the first year of the famine; or he sent them first, he laid his commands on them, otherwise they would not have gone; these were the ten sons of Jacob, and brethren of Joseph, who were sent the first time, for Benjamin stayed with his father: see (Genesis 42:3Genesis 42:13) .

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FOOTNOTES:

• F21: Bereshit Rabba, sect. 91. fol. 78. 1, 2.