Genesis 44:22

22 And we said to my lord, The lad cannot leave his father; for [if] he should leave his father, [his father] would die.

Genesis 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.

Genesis 44:22 In-Context

20 And we said to my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one: and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth him.

21 And thou saidst to thy servants, Bring him down to me, that I may set my eyes upon him.

22 And we said to my lord, The lad cannot leave his father; for [if] he should leave his father, [his father] would die.

23 And thou saidst to thy servants, Except your youngest brother shall come down with you, ye shall see my face no more.

24 And it came to pass, when we came to thy servant, my father, we told him the words of my lord.