Genesis 44:22

22 And we said to my lord, The youth cannot leave his father: if he should leave his father, [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 said to my lord, We have an aged father, and a child born to him in his old age, [yet] young; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother; and his father loves him.

21 And thou saidst unto thy servants, Bring him down to me, that I may set mine eye on him.

22 And we said to my lord, The youth cannot leave his father: if he should leave his father, [his father] would die.

23 And thou saidst to thy servants, Unless your youngest brother come down with you, ye shall see my face no more.

24 And it came to pass when we came up to thy servant my father, we told him the words of my lord.