Genesis 44:26

26 We answered, "We cannot go; we will not be admitted to the man's presence unless our youngest brother is with us. We can go only if our youngest brother goes also.'

Genesis 44:26 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 44:26

And we said, we cannot go down
With any safety to their persons, which would be in danger, or with any profit to their families, since their end in going down to buy corn would not be answered: if our youngest brother be with us, then will we go down;
let it be agreed to, that Benjamin go along with us, to Egypt, and then no difficulty will be made of it: for we may not see the man's face, except our youngest brother [be]
with us;
the face of the great man, the governor of Egypt; for that this phrase, "the man", is not used diminutively, but as expressive of grandeur, is clear, or otherwise it would never have been made use of in his presence, and in such a submissive and polite speech as this of Judah's.

Genesis 44:26 In-Context

24 "When we went back to our father, we told him what you had said.

25 Then he told us to return and buy a little food.

26 We answered, "We cannot go; we will not be admitted to the man's presence unless our youngest brother is with us. We can go only if our youngest brother goes also.'

27 Our father said to us, "You know that my wife Rachel bore me only two sons.

28 One of them has already left me. He must have been torn to pieces by wild animals, because I have not seen him since he left.