For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father, saying, If I bring him not unto thee, then I shall bear the blame to my father for ever.
Your servant promised my father that I would be responsible for the boy, saying, 'If I don't bring him back to you, then I will carry the guilt before my father forever.'
Judah is explaining how he personally guaranteed Benjamin's safety to their father Jacob and will be forever blamed if anything happens to him.
📚 Historical Context
This is Judah speaking to Joseph (who hasn't revealed his identity yet) in Egypt, pleading for Benjamin's release. Earlier, when the brothers needed to return to Egypt for food during the famine, Jacob was reluctant to let Benjamin go because he had already lost Joseph. Judah had personally pledged to Jacob that he would take full responsibility for Benjamin's safe return.
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