Genesis 44:21

21 "Then you told us, 'Bring him down here so I can see him.'

Genesis 44:21 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 44:21

And thou saidst unto thy servants, bring him down unto me,
&c.] Judah does not relate the reason of his order, which was to give proof that they were no spies, but as if Joseph designed to show favour to Benjamin, as undoubtedly he did: that I may set mine eyes upon him;
not barely see him, as Aben Ezra interprets it, though that would be, and was, very desirable by him, and agreeable to him; but he desired to set his eyes upon him, not only for his own pleasure, but for the good of Benjamin, as the Targum of Jonathan adds; he intimated that he should receive him kindly, show favour unto him, and use him well: the Septuagint version is, "and I will take care of him": Joseph's brethren had told him, that Benjamin was at home with their father, who they suggested was afraid to let him go with them, lest evil should befall him; wherefore to encourage him to let him go with them, Joseph promised to take care of him, that no hurt should be done to him, but he should be provided with everything that was proper and necessary; and this Judah improves into an argument with the governor in favour of Benjamin, that since he desired his coming, in order to show him a kindness, he hoped he would not detain him, and make a slave of him.

Genesis 44:21 In-Context

19 You, master, asked us, 'Do you have a father and a brother?'
20 And we answered honestly, 'We have a father who is old and a younger brother who was born to him in his old age. His brother is dead and he is the only son left from that mother. And his father loves him more than anything.'
21 "Then you told us, 'Bring him down here so I can see him.'
22 We told you, master, that it was impossible: 'The boy can't leave his father; if he leaves, his father will die.'
23 "And then you said, 'If your youngest brother doesn't come with you, you won't be allowed to see me.'
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.