Genesis 44:28

28 the one went out from me, and I said, "Surely he has been torn to pieces," and I haven't seen him since.

Genesis 44:28 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 44:28

And the one went out from, me
Being sent by him to see how his brethren did, who were feeding his flocks at Shechem, and he had never returned to him to that day: and I said, surely he is torn in pieces;
by some wild beast; this he said on sight of his coat, being shown him all bloody: and I saw him not since;
now twenty two years ago; for though Joseph was not such a great way off his father, especially if he was at Memphis, as some think; yet what through his confinement as a servant in Potiphar's house, and then for some years in prison, and through the multiplicity of business when advanced in Pharaoh's court, he had no leisure and opportunity of visiting his father; and especially so it was ordered by the providence of God that he should not, that he might be made known at the most proper time for the glory of God, and the good of his family.

Genesis 44:28 In-Context

26 we answered, 'We can't go down. Only if our youngest brother is with us will we go down, because we can't see the man's face unless our youngest brother is with us.'

27 Then your servant my father said to us, 'You know that my wife bore me two sons:

28 the one went out from me, and I said, "Surely he has been torn to pieces," and I haven't seen him since.

29 Now if you take this one away from me too, and something happens to him, you will bring my gray hair down to Sh'ol with grief.'

30 So now if I go to your servant my father, and the boy isn't with us - seeing how his heart is bound up with the boy's heart -