Thus the sons of Israel: Thus marks another consequence, that is, the brothers had done as ordered by their father. For Israel see comments on 35.21, which recommend keeping “Jacob” in these kinds of contexts.

Came to buy among the others: the narrative passes over the events of leaving Canaan and making the journey, and came indicates that the brothers have arrived in Egypt. It may be necessary to use “went,” as does Revised English Bible, “Thus the sons of Israel [Jacob] went with everyone else….”

For the famine … Canaan: this statement reinforces what was said in 41.57, “The famine was severe over all the earth.” It serves as the principal reason for getting Joseph’s brothers to him in Egypt, and eventually all of Jacob’s family.

Verse 5 completes the introduction to the first episode in this chapter.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .