Genesis 42:20

20 But bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die." And they did so.

Genesis 42:20 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 42:20

But bring your youngest brother unto me
Upon their return for more corn: so shall your words be verified;
that they were true men, and had no ill design upon the land, but were come only to buy corn: and ye shall not die;
as spies, which they were otherwise threatened with; and as it is customary in all nations to put such to death when found out: and they did so;
they left one of their brethren behind; they carried corn to their houses or families in Canaan, and brought their brother Benjamin with them when they returned to Egypt.

Genesis 42:20 In-Context

18 And Joseph said unto them the third day, "This do, and live, for I fear God:

19 If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the prison house. Go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses.

20 But bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die." And they did so.

21 And they said one to another, "We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul when he besought us, and we would not hear. Therefore has this distress come upon us."

22 And Reuben answered them, saying, "Spoke I not unto you, saying, `Do not sin against the child'; and ye would not hear? Therefore, behold, also his blood is required."