Genesis 44:22

22 So we said to my lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father. If he were to leave, 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 answered, ‘We have an elderly father and a younger brother, the child of his old age. The boy’s brother is dead. He is the only one of his mother’s sons left, and his father loves him.’

21 Then you told your servants, ‘Bring him down to me so that I can see him for myself.’

22 So we said to my lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father. If he were to leave, his father would die.’

23 But you said to your servants, ‘Unless your younger brother comes down with you, you will not see my face again.’

24 Now when we returned to your servant my father, we relayed your words to him.