And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father: for if he should leave his father, his father would die.
And we told you, my lord, 'The boy cannot leave his father, because if he leaves his father, his father would die.'
The brothers are explaining to Joseph (whom they don't recognize) that Benjamin cannot be separated from their father Jacob because it would literally kill the old man from grief.
📚 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 testing his brothers' character during a severe famine. When the brothers returned to Egypt for more grain, Joseph orchestrated a situation to keep their youngest brother, Benjamin, behind as a test of their loyalty and family bonds. Judah, speaking on behalf of the brothers, explained to Joseph that Benjamin could not leave their father Jacob, as it would cause Jacob overwhelming grief and potentially lead to his death.
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