But if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down: for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.
But if you won't send him with us, we will not go down to Egypt. The man told us clearly, 'You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.'
The brothers are telling their father Jacob that they cannot return to Egypt to buy food unless Benjamin comes with them, because the Egyptian ruler (Joseph) has made this an absolute requirement.
📚 Historical Context
In the biblical narrative of Genesis, Joseph, who had been sold into slavery by his brothers and risen to a position of power in Egypt, was managing the distribution of food during a widespread famine that affected Canaan. When Joseph's brothers traveled to Egypt to buy grain, he recognized them but insisted they return with their youngest brother, Benjamin, as a condition to see him again, testing their integrity and family loyalty. This verse captures the brothers' ultimatum to their father, Jacob, refusing to go back to Egypt without Benjamin to avoid further complications.
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