Genesis 44:31

31 when he sees that the boy isn't with us, he will die; and your servants will bring the gray hair of your servant our father down to Sh'ol with grief.

Genesis 44:31 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 44:31

It shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad [is] not
[with us], that he will die
As soon as ever he sees us, without asking any question and observes that Benjamin is missing he will conclude at once that he is dead, which will so seize his spirits, that he will expire immediately: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant, our
father, with sorrow to the grave;
as he said would be the case, ( Genesis 44:29 ) ; and which would be very afflicting to his sons to be the cause of it, and could not be thought of without the utmost uneasiness and distress.

Genesis 44:31 In-Context

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 -
31 when he sees that the boy isn't with us, he will die; and your servants will bring the gray hair of your servant our father down to Sh'ol with grief.
32 For your servant himself guaranteed his safety; I said, 'If I fail to bring him to you, then I will bear the blame before my father forever.'
33 Therefore, I beg you, let your servant stay as a slave to my lord instead of the boy, and let the boy go up with his brothers.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.