Genesis 44:31

31 If he sees that the boy is not with us, our father will die. We, your servants, will indeed be responsible for sending that grieving, white-haired man to his grave.

Genesis 44:31 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 44:31

It shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad [is] not
[with us], that he will die
As soon as ever he sees us, without asking any question and observes that Benjamin is missing he will conclude at once that he is dead, which will so seize his spirits, that he will expire immediately: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant, our
father, with sorrow to the grave;
as he said would be the case, ( Genesis 44:29 ) ; and which would be very afflicting to his sons to be the cause of it, and could not be thought of without the utmost uneasiness and distress.

Genesis 44:31 In-Context

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.

31 If he sees that the boy is not with us, our father will die. We, your servants, will indeed be responsible for sending that grieving, white-haired man to his grave.

32 My lord, I guaranteed to my father that I would take care of the boy. I told him, ‘If I don’t bring him back to you, I will bear the blame forever.’

33 “So please, my lord, let me stay here as a slave instead of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers.