Genesis 44:22

22 And we said to you, 'That young boy cannot leave his father, because if he leaves him, his father would die.'

Genesis 44:22 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 44:22

And we said unto my lord, the lad cannot leave his father,
&c.] That is, his father will not be willing to part with him: for [if] he should leave his father, [his father] would die;
with grief and trouble, fearing some evil was befallen him, and he should see him no more.

Genesis 44:22 In-Context

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.'

22 And we said to you, 'That young boy cannot leave his father, because if he leaves him, his father would die.'

23 But you said to us, 'If you don't bring your youngest brother, you will not be allowed to see me again.'

24 So we went back to our father and told him what you had said.