Genesis 44:19

19 When we were here before, you asked us, 'Do you have a father or a brother?'

Genesis 44:19 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 44:19

My lord asked his servants
The first time they came down to Egypt to buy corn; he puts him in mind of what passed between them at that time: saying, have ye a father or a brother?
which question followed upon their saying that they were the sons of one man, ( Genesis 42:11 ) ( 43:7 ) .

Genesis 44:19 In-Context

17 But Joseph said, "I will not make you all slaves! Only the man who stole the cup will be my slave. The rest of you may go back safely to your father."

18 Then Judah went to Joseph and said, "Master, please let me speak plainly to you, and please don't be angry with me. I know that you are as powerful as the king of Egypt himself.

19 When we were here before, you asked us, 'Do you have a father or a brother?'

20 And we answered you, 'We have an old father. And we have a younger brother, who was born when our father was old. This youngest son's brother is dead, so he is the only one of his mother's children left alive, and our father loves him very much.'

21 Then you said to us, 'Bring that brother to me. I want to see him.'