What does Genesis 43:2 mean?
Jacob had previously refused to allow his sons to return to Egypt for a second purchase of food (Genesis 42:38). The Egyptian ruler had warned them, on threat of death, not to come back unless they brought their youngest brother with them (Genesis 42:19–20). Jacob was never subtle about his favoritism (Genesis 37:4; 42:28); he seemed willing to abandon the brother kept behind (Genesis 42:24) rather than to risk Benjamin.Now, Jacob is forced to relent. His family is out of food—they will all die unless they buy grain from Egypt. He instructs his sons to go buy more, though he does not initially mention Benjamin. As Judah will point out in the following verses, they cannot return without Jacob's beloved youngest son in their company (Genesis 43:3–5).