Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe.
10. And there was a famine in the land . A much more severe temptation is now recorded, by which the faith of Abram is tried to the quick. For he is not only led around through various windings of the country, but is driven into exile, from the land which God had given to him and to his posterity.
And there was a famine in the land,.... The land of Canaan, which was a very fruitful country, abounding with all kind of provisions usually; but now there was a scarcity of all; and which was both for the sins of the inhabitants of the land, and for the trial of Abram's faith, who was brought out of his own country, where was bread enough...
And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine [was] grievous in the land. (l) This was a new trial of Abram's faith: by which we see that the end of one affliction is the beginning of another.