Genesis 44:23
ESV
Then you said to your servants, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you shall not see my face again.’
NIV
But you told your servants, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you will not see my face again.’
NASB
You said to your servants, however, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you will not see my face again.’
CSB
Then you said to your servants, ‘If your younger brother does not come down with you, you will not see me again.’
NLT
But you told us, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes with you, you will never see my face again.’
KJV
And thou saidst unto thy servants, Except your youngest brother come down with you, ye shall see my face no more.
NKJV
But you said to your servants, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you shall see my face no more.’
What does Genesis 44:23 mean?
Judah is making a plea to the Egyptian ruler on behalf of his father Jacob and his youngest brother Benjamin (Genesis 44:14–22). Unknown to Judah, this governor is his estranged brother, Joseph (Genesis 42:7–8), who had been sold into slavery by the ten older sons of Jacob (Genesis 37:24–28; 42:21–23). Judah reminds Joseph that he had demanded that the brothers bring Benjamin to him so that he could look at him. The brothers were hesitant at first. They feared that losing Benjamin would kill their elderly father (Genesis 42:38).Joseph, the Egyptian ruler, had insisted on Benjamin coming back (Genesis 42:19–20). The brothers would not be allowed to see him if they did not bring their youngest brother with them. If they could not see the Egyptian ruler, they would not be able to buy grain. If they could not buy grain, their family would starve. By repeating these details, Judah seeks to emphasize the high stakes involved for Jacob's family.
Genesis 44:14–34 explains how Joseph's brothers reacted to another test of character. The youngest, Benjamin, was discovered to have Joseph's own silver cup in his bags. This was secretly put there on Joseph's orders—and the brothers still do not know his identity. Joseph's intent seems to be a test of his brothers' growth: are they still as cruel and selfish as when they sold Joseph, himself, into Egyptian slavery? Benjamin's sentence is to become Joseph's slave while the rest are free to go. Instead, Judah offers to take Benjamin's place in order save his youngest brother and their old father, who will surely die of grief if Benjamin is lost.
Eleven of Jacob's sons enjoyed a meal as honored guests of an Egyptian governor. They are sent off the next morning with full sacks of grain. All seems well until the governor's house steward overtakes them on the road and accuses them of stealing the ruler's personal and valuable silver cup. The brothers don't know this governor is Joseph, their long-lost brother. Nor do they know he ordered the steward to place the cup in Benjamin's sack. This is part of Joseph's final test of his brothers and their moral growth. Seeking to rescue Benjamin from slavery, Judah makes a powerful speech to Joseph, offering to take Benjamin's place as a slave to save the boy and avoid grieving their father, Jacob.