Génesis 44:27-34

27 »Entonces mi padre nos dijo: “Como ya saben, mi esposa tuvo dos hijos,

28 y uno de ellos se fue y nunca más regresó. Sin duda, fue despedazado por algún animal salvaje, y no he vuelto a verlo.

29 Si ahora alejan de mí a su hermano y él sufre algún daño, ustedes mandarán a la tumba
a este hombre entristecido y canoso”.

30 »Y ahora, mi señor, no puedo regresar a la casa de mi padre sin el muchacho. La vida de nuestro padre está ligada a la vida del muchacho.

31 Si nuestro padre ve que el muchacho no está con nosotros, morirá. Nosotros, sus siervos, ciertamente seremos responsables de haber enviado a la tumba a ese hombre entristecido y canoso.

32 Mi señor, yo le garanticé a mi padre que me haría cargo del muchacho. Le dije que, si no lo llevaba de regreso, yo cargaría con la culpa para siempre.

33 »Por favor, mi señor, permita que yo me quede aquí como esclavo en lugar del muchacho, y deje que el muchacho regrese con sus hermanos.

34 Pues, ¿cómo podré regresar y ver a mi padre si el muchacho no está conmigo? ¡No podría soportar ver la angustia que le provocaría a mi padre!

Génesis 44:27-34 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.