But the drought continued, and in process of time the supply of grain that had been brought from Egypt was nearly exhausted. The sons of Jacob well knew that it would be in vain to return to Egypt without Benjamin. They had little hope of changing their father's resolution, and they awaited the issue in silence. Deeper and deeper grew the shadow of approaching famine; in the anxious faces of all in the encampment the old man read their need; at last he said, "Go again, but us a little food."

Men hungersnøden fortsatte, og som tiden gik, brugte de næsten alt det korn, der var blevet hentet i Ægypten. Jakobs sønner vidste, at det ikke kunne nytte at rejse tilbage til Ægypten uden Benjamin. De nærede kun ringe håb om at få faderen til at ændre sin beslutning og ventede i tavshed. Den truende hungersnøds skygge blev mørkere og mørkere. I alle de ængstelige ansigter i lejren læste den gamle mand deres nød, og til sidst sagde han: "Køb os igen lidt føde!"