Genesis 44:22

22 But 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 my lord, 'We have an elderly father and a young 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 said to your servants, 'Bring him to me so that I can see him.'

22 But we said to my lord, 'The boy cannot leave his father. If he were to leave, his father would die.'

23 Then you said to your servants, 'If your younger brother does not come down with you, you will not see me again.'

24 "This is what happened when we went back to your servant my father: We reported your words to him.