Then you said to your servants, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you shall not see my face again.’
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 thou saidst unto thy servants,.... In answer to the representation of things made by them, and notwithstanding that: except your youngest brother come down with you, you shall see my face no more; which though not before related in the discourse, which passed between Joseph and his brethren, in express terms, yet might be justly inferred from what he said; nay, might be expressed...
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