Genesis 44:30

30 If then I go back to your servant, my father, without the boy, because his life and the boy's life are one,

Genesis 44:30 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 44:30

Now therefore, when I come to thy servant my father
That is, should he return to him in the land of Canaan with the rest of his brethren: and the lad [be] not with us;
his brother Benjamin, so called here, and in the following verses, though thirty years of age and upwards, see ( Genesis 43:8 ) ; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad's life;
he is as closely united to him in affection, and is as dear to him as his own soul; quite wrapped up in him, and cannot live without him; should he die, he must die too; see ( 1 Samuel 18:1 ) ; so it follows:

Genesis 44:30 In-Context

28 The one went away from me, and I said, Truly he has come to a violent death; and from that time I have not seen him,

29 If now you take this one from me, and some evil comes to him, you will make my grey head go down in sorrow to the underworld.

30 If then I go back to your servant, my father, without the boy, because his life and the boy's life are one,

31 When he sees that the boy is not with us, he will come to his death, and our father's grey head will go down in sorrow to the underworld.

32 For I made myself responsible for the boy to my father, saying, If I do not give him safely back to you, let mine be the sin for ever.