Genesis 43:7 — Meaning and Application

But if thou wilt not send {him}, we will not go down: for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother {be} with you.

And Israel said, Wherefore dealt ye {so} ill with me, {as} to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother?

And they said, The man asked us straitly of our state, and of our kindred, saying, {Is} your father yet alive? have ye {another} brother? and we told him according to the tenor of these words: could we certainly know that he would say, Bring your brother down? {asked...: Heb. asking asked us} {tenor: Heb. mouth} {could...: Heb. knowing could we know}

And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, {and} also our little ones.

I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever: