Genesis 44:31

31 it will come to pass when he sees that the lad is not [there], that he will die; and thy servants will bring down the grey hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to Sheol.

Genesis 44:31 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 44:31

It shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad [is] not
[with us], that he will die
As soon as ever he sees us, without asking any question and observes that Benjamin is missing he will conclude at once that he is dead, which will so seize his spirits, that he will expire immediately: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant, our
father, with sorrow to the grave;
as he said would be the case, ( Genesis 44:29 ) ; and which would be very afflicting to his sons to be the cause of it, and could not be thought of without the utmost uneasiness and distress.

Genesis 44:31 In-Context

29 And if ye take this one also from me, and mischief should befall him, ye will bring down my grey hairs with misery to Sheol.

30 And now, when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad is not with us, -- seeing that his life is bound up with his life,

31 it will come to pass when he sees that the lad is not [there], that he will die; and thy servants will bring down the grey hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to Sheol.

32 For thy servant became surety for the lad to my father, saying, If I bring him not to thee, then I shall be guilty toward my father all my days.

33 And now, let thy servant stay, I pray thee, instead of the lad a bondman to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brethren;

Footnotes

• [a]. See ch. 37.35.