Genesis 43:5

5 but if you will not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, 'You will not see my face unless your brother is 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 Y'hudah said to him, "The man expressly warned us, 'You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.'

4 If you will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food;

5 but if you will not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, 'You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.'"

6 Isra'el said, "Why did you bring such trouble my way by telling the man you had another brother?"

7 They answered, "The man kept questioning us about ourselves and about our kinsmen. He asked, 'Is your father still alive?''Do you have another brother?' and we answered according to the literal meaning of his questions. How were we to know he would say, 'Bring your brother down'?"