Genesis 44:31

31 when he sees that the lad is not with us, he will die; and your servants will bring down the gray hairs of your servant our father with sorrow to Sheol.

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 If you take this one also from me, and harm befalls him, you will bring down my gray hairs in sorrow to Sheol.'

30 Now therefore, when I come to your servant my father, and the lad is not with us, then, as his life is bound up in the lad's life,

31 when he sees that the lad is not with us, he will die; and your servants will bring down the gray hairs of your servant our father with sorrow to Sheol.

32 For your servant became surety for the lad to my father, saying, 'If I do not bring him back to you, then I shall bear the blame in the sight of my father all my life.'

33 Now therefore, let your servant, I pray you, remain instead of the lad as a slave to my lord; and let the lad go back with his brothers.