Genesis 44:19

19 Sir, you asked us, 'Do you have a father or a brother?'

Genesis 44:19 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 44:19

My lord asked his servants
The first time they came down to Egypt to buy corn; he puts him in mind of what passed between them at that time: saying, have ye a father or a brother?
which question followed upon their saying that they were the sons of one man, ( Genesis 42:11 ) ( 43:7 ) .

Genesis 44:19 In-Context

17 But Joseph said, "I would never think of doing that! Only the man who had the cup will be my slave. The rest of you can go back to your father in peace."

18 Then Judah went up to Joseph and said, "Please, sir, let me speak openly with you. Don't be angry with me, although you are equal to Pharaoh.

19 Sir, you asked us, 'Do you have a father or a brother?'

20 We answered, 'We have a father who is old and a younger brother born to him when he was already old. The boy's brother is dead, so he's the only one of his mother's sons left, and his father loves him.'

21 "Then you said to us, 'Bring him here to me so that I can see him myself.'