Genesis 44:28

28 and one of them went away and never returned. Doubtless he was torn to pieces by some wild animal. I have 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 replied, ‘We can’t go unless you let our youngest brother go with us. We’ll never get to see the man’s face unless our youngest brother is with us.’

27 “Then my father said to us, ‘As you know, my wife had two sons,

28 and one of them went away and never returned. Doubtless he was torn to pieces by some wild animal. I have never seen him since.

29 Now if you take his brother away from me, and any harm comes to him, you will send this grieving, white-haired man to his grave. ’

30 “And now, my lord, I cannot go back to my father without the boy. Our father’s life is bound up in the boy’s life.