Genesis 44:30

30 So now, when I come to your servant, my father, and the boy is not with us--now his life is bound up with his life--

Genesis 44:30 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 44:30

Now therefore, when I come to thy servant my father
That is, should he return to him in the land of Canaan with the rest of his brethren: and the lad [be] not with us;
his brother Benjamin, so called here, and in the following verses, though thirty years of age and upwards, see ( Genesis 43:8 ) ; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad's life;
he is as closely united to him in affection, and is as dear to him as his own soul; quite wrapped up in him, and cannot live without him; should he die, he must die too; see ( 1 Samuel 18:1 ) ; so it follows:

Genesis 44:30 In-Context

28 One went out from me, and I said, "Surely he must have been torn to pieces," and I have never seen him since.

29 And if you take this one also from me, and he encounters harm, you will bring down my gray head in sorrow to Sheol.'

30 So now, when I come to your servant, my father, and the boy is not with us--now his life is bound up with his life--

31 it shall happen [that] when he sees that the boy is gone, he will die. And your servants will bring down the gray head of your servant, our father, to Sheol with sorrow.

32 For your servant is pledged as surety for the boy by my father, saying, If I do not bring him to you, then I shall be culpable to my father forever.