Genesis 44:28

28 One turned up missing. I concluded that he'd been ripped to pieces. I've never seen him since.

Genesis 44:28 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 44:28

And the one went out from, me
Being sent by him to see how his brethren did, who were feeding his flocks at Shechem, and he had never returned to him to that day: and I said, surely he is torn in pieces;
by some wild beast; this he said on sight of his coat, being shown him all bloody: and I saw him not since;
now twenty two years ago; for though Joseph was not such a great way off his father, especially if he was at Memphis, as some think; yet what through his confinement as a servant in Potiphar's house, and then for some years in prison, and through the multiplicity of business when advanced in Pharaoh's court, he had no leisure and opportunity of visiting his father; and especially so it was ordered by the providence of God that he should not, that he might be made known at the most proper time for the glory of God, and the good of his family.

Genesis 44:28 In-Context

26 we told him flatly, 'We can't. The only way we can go back is if our youngest brother is with us. We aren't allowed to even see the man if our youngest brother doesn't come with us.'
27 "Your servant, my father, told us, 'You know very well that my wife gave me two sons.
28 One turned up missing. I concluded that he'd been ripped to pieces. I've never seen him since.
29 If you now go and take this one and something bad happens to him, you'll put my old gray, grieving head in the grave for sure.'
30 "And now, can't you see that if I show up before your servant, my father, without the boy, this son with whom his life is so bound up,
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.