Genesis 44:26-34

26 We answered, 'We can't go back. We can only go back if our youngest brother is with us. The man won't see us unless our youngest brother is with us.'

27 "Then our father said to us, 'You know that my wife [Rachel] gave me two sons.

28 One is gone, and I said, "He must have been torn to pieces!" I haven't seen him since.

29 If you take this one away from me too and anything happens to him, you'll drive this gray-haired old man to his grave.'

30 "Our father's life is wrapped up with the boy's life. If I come [home] without the boy

31 and he sees that the boy isn't [with me], he'll die. The grief would drive our gray-haired old father to his grave.

32 "I guaranteed my father that the boy would come back. I said, 'If I don't bring him back to you, then you can blame me the rest of my life, Father.'

33 Sir, please let me stay and be your slave in the boy's place, and let the boy go back with his brothers.

34 How could I go back to my father if the boy isn't with me? I couldn't bear to see my father's misery!"

Genesis 44:26-34 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 44

This chapter relates the policy of Joseph in making an experiment of his brethren's regard and affection for Benjamin; he ordered his steward to put every man's money into his sack, and his silver cup in Benjamin's, and when they were got out of the city, to follow after them, and charge them with the theft, as he did; and having searched their sacks, as they desired he would, found the cup with Benjamin, which threw them into the utmost distress, and obliged them to return to Joseph, Ge 44:1-14; who charged them with their ill behaviour towards him; they acknowledge it, and propose to be his servants; but he orders them to depart to their father, retaining Benjamin in servitude, Ge 44:15-17; upon which Judah addressed him in a very polite and affectionate manner, and relates the whole story, both of what passed between Joseph and them, concerning Benjamin, the first time they were in Egypt, and between their father and them upon the same subject, when he directed them to go a second time thither to buy corn, and how he became a surety to his father for him, and therefore proposed to be his bondman now, not being able to see his father's face without Benjamin, Ge 44:18-34.