Return to Canaan and Jacob's Grief

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When they reached their father Jacob in the land of Canaan, they described to him all that had happened to them:

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“The man who is lord of the land spoke harshly to us and accused us of spying on the country.

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But we told him, ‘We are honest men, not spies.

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We are twelve brothers, sons of one father. One is no more, and the youngest is now with our father in the land of Canaan.’

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Then the man who is lord of the land said to us, ‘This is how I will know whether you are honest: Leave one brother with me, take food to relieve the hunger of your households, and go.

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But bring your youngest brother back to me so I will know that you are not spies but honest men. Then I will give your brother back to you, and you can trade in the land.’”

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As they began emptying their sacks, there in each man’s sack was his bag of silver! And when they and their father saw the bags of silver, they were dismayed.

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Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my sons. Joseph is gone and Simeon is no more. Now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is going against me!”

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Then Reuben said to his father, “You may kill my two sons if I fail to bring him back to you. Put him in my care, and I will return him.”

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But Jacob replied, “My son will not go down there with you, for his brother is dead, and he alone is left. If any harm comes to him on your journey, you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.”

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