Genesis 43:10

10 for if we had not lingered, surely now we had returned these two times.'

Genesis 43:10 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 43:10

For except we had lingered
Delayed going down to Egypt, through the demur Jacob made of tending Benjamin with them: surely now we had returned this second time;
they would have made their journey to Egypt, and returned again with their corn, and their brother Benjamin too, as Judah supposed, before this time; so that by these delays they were losing time, and involving themselves and families in distress for want of corn.

Genesis 43:10 In-Context

8 And Judah saith unto Israel his father, `Send the youth with me, and we arise, and go, and live, and do not die, both we, and thou, and our infants.

9 I -- I am surety [for] him, from my hand thou dost require him; if I have not brought him in unto thee, and set him before thee -- then I have sinned against thee all the days;

10 for if we had not lingered, surely now we had returned these two times.'

11 And Israel their father saith unto them, `If so, now, this do: take of the praised thing of the land in your vessels, and take down to the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices and myrrh, nuts and almonds;

12 and double money take in your hand, even the money which is brought back in the mouth of your bags, ye take back in your hand, it may be it [is] an oversight.