Genesis 43:5

5 "If you won't send him, we won't go down. The man said to us, 'You won't see my face again unless your brother comes with you.' "

Genesis 43:5 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 43:5

But if thou wilt not send [him], we will not go down
This they said not as undutiful, and from a spirit of rebellion and disobedience to their father, or of stubbornness and obstinacy, but because they durst not go down, nor could they with any safety; they might expect to be taken up as spies, and put to death as they were threatened; and besides, it would be in vain, and to no purpose, since there was no likelihood of succeeding, or of getting any provision: for the man said unto us, ye shall not see my face, except your
brother [be] with you;
which they repeat both for the confirmation of it, and as an apology for themselves, to clear them from any charge of unfaithfulness.

Genesis 43:5 In-Context

3 But Judah said to him, "The man gave us a strong warning. He said, 'You won't see my face again unless your brother comes with you.'

4 So send our brother along with us. Then we'll go down and buy food for you.

5 "If you won't send him, we won't go down. The man said to us, 'You won't see my face again unless your brother comes with you.' "

6 Israel asked, "Why did you bring this trouble to me? Why did you tell the man you had another brother?"

7 They replied, "The man questioned us closely about ourselves and our family. 'Is your father still living?' he asked us. 'Do you have another brother?' "We just answered his questions. How could we possibly know he would say, 'Bring your brother down here'?"