We said to my lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.’
We have here a most ingenious and pathetic speech which Judah made to Joseph on Benjamin's behalf, to obtain his discharge from the sentence passed upon him. Perhaps Judah was a better friend to Benjamin than the rest were, and more solicitous to bring him off; or he thought himself under greater obligations to attempt it than the rest, because he had passed his word...
Commenting on Genesis 44:18-34
And we said unto my lord, the lad cannot leave his father,.... That is, his father will not be willing to part with him: for if he should leave his father, his father would die; with grief and trouble, fearing some evil was befallen him, and he should see him no more.
Gen 44:21-26 To “set eyes upon him” signifies, with a gracious intention, to show him good-will (as in Jer 39:12; Jer 40:4).
Commenting on Genesis 44:21-26