Genesis 43:5

5 But yf thou wylt not sende him we wyll not goo: for the man sayde vnto vs: loke that ye see not my face excepte youre brother be with you.

Genesis 43:5 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 43:5

But if thou wilt not send [him], we will not go down
This they said not as undutiful, and from a spirit of rebellion and disobedience to their father, or of stubbornness and obstinacy, but because they durst not go down, nor could they with any safety; they might expect to be taken up as spies, and put to death as they were threatened; and besides, it would be in vain, and to no purpose, since there was no likelihood of succeeding, or of getting any provision: for the man said unto us, ye shall not see my face, except your
brother [be] with you;
which they repeat both for the confirmation of it, and as an apology for themselves, to clear them from any charge of unfaithfulness.

Genesis 43:5 In-Context

3 Than sayde Iuda vnto him: the man dyd testifie vnto vs saynge: loke that ye see not my face excepte youre brother be with you.

4 Therfore yf thou wilt sende oure brother with vs we wyll goo and bye the food.

5 But yf thou wylt not sende him we wyll not goo: for the man sayde vnto vs: loke that ye see not my face excepte youre brother be with you.

6 And Israell sayde: wherfore delt ye so cruelly with me as to tell the man that ye had yet another brother?

7 And they sayde: The man asked vs of oure kynred saynge: is youre father yet alyue? haue ye not another brother? And we tolde him acordynge to these wordes. How cowd we knowe that he wolde byd vs brynge oure brother downe with vs?