Final answer:
Joseph's brothers went to Egypt to buy grain during a famine, an event recorded in biblical history around 1800 BCE. This trip was crucial for their survival and sets the foundation for the Hebrews' later history in Egypt.
Step-by-step explanation:
The brothers of Joseph made a trip down to Egypt to buy grain during the famine. This event is chronicled in the Bible and occurred around 1800 BCE. The Biblical narrative explains that after Joseph was sold into Egyptian slavery by his brothers, he rose to a position of power and was able to provide for his family during a time of widespread famine by dispensing grain from Egypt's storehouses. Joseph's brothers, unaware of his high standing, traveled to Egypt to purchase grain in order to survive. This period, historically characterized by the migration of Joseph's family to Egypt, set the stage for the future enslavement of the Hebrews and the emergence of Moses as a leading figure in their eventual exodus.
The decision by Joseph's brothers to journey to Egypt was a matter of survival, as the famine affected not only Egypt but also the surrounding regions. Their voyage underscores the difficulties faced by cultures dependent on agriculture when confronted with environmental challenges. It also serves as a prelude to later laws about agriculture and religious practices in Hebrew society, which have their roots in the clan's agrarian past. Despite shifting from an agricultural to a more urban society over generations, these early experiences continued to shape the customs and laws of the Jewish people.