And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth him.
And we told you, my lord, 'We have a father who is an old man, and a young child who was born when our father was already old. This boy's older brother is dead, so he's the only one left from his mother, and his father loves him deeply.'
The brothers are explaining to Joseph (though they don't know it's him) how precious Benjamin is to their father Jacob because he's the only surviving son of Rachel and Jacob's beloved youngest child.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Genesis, Joseph, who had been sold into slavery by his brothers, had risen to a position of power in Egypt and was now testing his brothers during a severe famine. Judah is speaking to Joseph, not recognizing him, to explain their family dynamics, particularly focusing on Benjamin as Jacob's youngest and most cherished son. This scene underscores the brothers' growing remorse and the enduring family ties amidst past betrayals.
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