The journey to Egypt marks a dramatic turning point for Jacob's family, blending an urgent need to survive a severe famine with a hidden divine plan for family closure and the fulfillment of prophecy. This descent into a foreign land is not merely a geographic relocation. It represents a spiritual decline and the beginning of a period of suffering, serving as a form of punishment for the sale of their brother [פרדס יוסף].
As they embark on this expedition, they are driven by their identity as Joseph's brothers rather than simply acting as Jacob's sons. The primary approach among commentators is that this mindset reflects a process of deep regret. They set out with a firm resolve to repair their past sin, act with true brotherhood, search for him throughout Egypt, and ransom him at any cost. Others suggest this dynamic emphasizes Divine Providence. Precisely because they are his brothers, divine wisdom orchestrated their journey to bring about the fulfillment of his childhood dreams [רד״ק, מלבי״ם, ביאור יש״ר].
The decision to send exactly ten brothers, rather than a few representatives or slaves, stems from several practical and legal concerns. During years of famine, the danger of highway robbery and murder increases significantly, making a large group necessary for self protection [אור החיים, קונטרס חיבה יתירה]. Additionally, with a family of dozens to feed, sending more men allowed them to carry back a much larger supply of grain [ביאור שטיינזלץ, ביאור יש״ר]. Jacob did not send slaves on this mission, either because the famine had already forced him to free them or out of fear they might run away on the journey [קונטרס חיבה יתירה]. Furthermore, Joseph had enacted a strict law requiring grain to be sold in measured amounts to individuals for their own households, rather than in bulk. While the stated goal was to prevent hoarding and profiteering, his hidden motive was to force all of his brothers to appear before him personally [ספורנו, אור החיים, ביאור יש״ר].
Beyond practicalities, the number ten holds spiritual and prophetic significance. Traveling as a group of ten allowed them to form a quorum for prayer, with the hope that the merit of communal prayer would help them find their lost brother and survive in a foreign land [רבנו בחיי, שפתי כהן, חתם סופר]. Moreover, the arrival of exactly ten brothers was necessary to fulfill Joseph's first dream, in which ten sheaves of wheat bowed down to him. Because Benjamin was too young to be part of that original dream, Providence arranged for Jacob to fear for his safety and keep him home, ensuring the vision would materialize exactly as foreseen [העמק דבר, רמב״ן].
Although the brothers' feelings of remorse and brotherhood toward Joseph varied in intensity, they were completely united in their immediate mission to buy food and save their family from starvation [רש״י, משכיל לדוד, ברטנורא]. Driven by their resolve to find him, they spared no effort in their search across Egypt. Assuming that a young man of such striking appearance would be exploited, they even scoured the markets of prostitutes in hopes of locating him [רבנו בחיי, הדר זקנים].