Genesis 44:22

22 And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father; for 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 unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a young man of his old age, yet a lad; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loves him.

21 And thou didst say unto thy slaves, Bring him down unto me that I may set my eyes upon him.

22 And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father; for if he should leave his father, his father would die.

23 And thou didst say unto thy slaves, Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, ye shall see my face no more.

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