Bereshis 44:22

22 And we said unto adoni, The na’ar cannot leave aviv; for if he should leave aviv, aviv would die.

Bereshis 44:22 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 44:22

And we said unto my lord, the lad cannot leave his father,
&c.] That is, his father will not be willing to part with him: for [if] he should leave his father, [his father] would die;
with grief and trouble, fearing some evil was befallen him, and he should see him no more.

Bereshis 44:22 In-Context

20 And we said unto adoni, We have an av, a zaken, and a yeled zekunim katan (child of his old age, a little one); and achiv is dead, and he alone is left of immo, and aviv loveth him.

21 And thou saidst unto thy avadim, Bring him down unto me, that I may set mine eyes upon him.

22 And we said unto adoni, The na’ar cannot leave aviv; for if he should leave aviv, aviv would die.

23 And thou saidst unto thy avadim, Except achichem hakaton (your youngest brother) come down with you, ye shall see my face no more.

24 And it came to pass when we came up unto thy eved Avi we told him the divrei adoni.