After bringing in the sheaves throughout seven years of plenty, during the following lean years Joseph gradually releases surplus grain from the Strategic Corn Reserves. Word reaches famine-stricken Canaan that Egypt has plenty of food, so Jacob sends ten of his sons there to buy some, where they fail to recognize Joseph as their long-lost brother. He recognizes them, but he doesn’t let on. Instead he accuses them of being spies, frames them for theft, lets them cool their heels in jail for a few days, then releases nine of them but holds one hostage until they return with their other brother, Benjamin. Paybacks are hell.