Genesis 42:20

20 You must bring your youngest brother to me, and then your words will be confirmed and you will not die." And they did so.

Genesis 42:20 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 42:20

But bring your youngest brother unto me
Upon their return for more corn: so shall your words be verified;
that they were true men, and had no ill design upon the land, but were come only to buy corn: and ye shall not die;
as spies, which they were otherwise threatened with; and as it is customary in all nations to put such to death when found out: and they did so;
they left one of their brethren behind; they carried corn to their houses or families in Canaan, and brought their brother Benjamin with them when they returned to Egypt.

Genesis 42:20 In-Context

18 On the third day Joseph said to them, "Do this and you will live; I fear God.

19 If you [are] honest, let one of your brothers be kept in prison {where you are now being kept}, but [the rest of] you go, carry grain for the famine for your households.

20 You must bring your youngest brother to me, and then your words will be confirmed and you will not die." And they did so.

21 Then each said to his brother, "Surely we [are] guilty on account of our brother when we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded for mercy to us and we would not listen. Therefore this trouble has come to us."

22 Then Reuben answered them, saying, "Did I not say to you, do not sin against the boy? But you did not listen, and now, behold, his blood has been sought."