Genesis 44:20

a child of his old age Cf. Genesis 37:3, where the words are applied to Joseph.

his brother is dead See Genesis 44:28; Genesis 42:38 (J). According to the J narrative, his brothers thought him dead. In Genesis 42:13 (E) Joseph's fate is referred to in vaguer terms, "one is not." This allusion to the "dead" brother in addressing Joseph adds a most effective touch to the story.

of his mother Lit. "to his mother," i.e. of Rachel's children.