Genesis 44:22

22 We replied, 'The boy can't leave his father. If the boy leaves him, his father will 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 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.'

22 We replied, 'The boy can't leave his father. If the boy leaves him, his father will die.'

23 Then you told us, 'If your youngest brother doesn't come here with you, you will never be allowed to see me again.'

24 When we went back to our father, we told him what you had said.