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
In the biblical narrative of Genesis, Joseph had been sold into slavery by his brothers and later rose to a position of power in Egypt as the Pharaoh's advisor during a severe famine. When his brothers traveled to Egypt for food, Joseph tested their character by accusing the youngest brother, Benjamin, of theft, leading to a tense confrontation. Judah, speaking on behalf of the family, offered himself as a guarantee for Benjamin's safe return to their father Jacob, highlighting the ancient cultural emphasis on family loyalty and personal responsibility in patriarchal societies.
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