But Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him.
The famine was severe in Canaan, the family's food was nearly exhausted, and want and starvation faced them. Egypt had corn because its king had been instructed by God in a dream seven years before the famine to lay up large supplies for the seven years of famine, so people from all countries came to Egypt to buy, and Jacob heard of this and told his sons to go down and buy so they might live and not die. Jacob sent his ten other sons to Egypt for grain but did not send Benjamin with them, keeping him at home with himself because he feared harm might befall him.
Benjamin was especially precious to Jacob after Jacob believed Joseph was dead. His absence caused Joseph to notice that he was not with the group. Joseph's demand that the brothers bring Benjamin back added to their distress, because losing Benjamin was a further threat to Jacob.
The famine was severe in Canaan, the family's food was nearly exhausted, and want and starvation faced them. Egypt had corn because its king had been instructed by God in a dream seven years before the famine to lay up large supplies for the seven years of famine, so people from all countries came to Egypt to buy, and Jacob heard of this and told his sons to go down and buy so they might live and not die. Jacob sent his ten other sons to Egypt for grain but did not send Benjamin with them, keeping him at home with himself because he feared harm might befall him.
Benjamin was especially precious to Jacob after Jacob believed Joseph was dead. His absence caused Joseph to notice that he was not with the group. Joseph's demand that the brothers bring Benjamin back added to their distress, because losing Benjamin was a further threat to Jacob.