The famine foretold in Pharaoh’s dreams began to affect Jacob’s family in Canaan. Hearing that grain was available in Egypt, Jacob sent his ten eldest sons there to buy food. Like all the Egyptians, Joseph’s brothers had to deal with Joseph to obtain the grain. When they came to him, Joseph recognized them but they didn’t recognize him. He provided them with the grain they needed, but told them they should not return unless they brought his younger brother Benjamin with them. Joseph sent them back to Canaan, but held Simeon as a hostage to secure their promise to return with Benjamin.