Genesis 42:38
Context42:38 But Jacob 1 replied, “My son will not go down there with you, for his brother is dead and he alone is left. 2 If an accident happens to him on the journey you have to make, then you will bring down my gray hair 3 in sorrow to the grave.” 4
Genesis 44:26
Context44:26 But we replied, ‘We cannot go down there. 5 If our youngest brother is with us, then we will go, 6 for we won’t be permitted to see the man’s face if our youngest brother is not with us.’


[42:38] 1 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Jacob) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[42:38] 2 sn The expression he alone is left meant that (so far as Jacob knew) Benjamin was the only surviving child of his mother Rachel.
[42:38] 3 sn The expression bring down my gray hair is figurative, using a part for the whole – they would put Jacob in the grave. But the gray head signifies a long life of worry and trouble.
[42:38] 4 tn Heb “to Sheol,” the dwelling place of the dead.
[44:26] 5 tn The direct object is not specified in the Hebrew text, but is implied; “there” is supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.