Genesis 44:17

Joseph was testing his brothers. Many years before this time, they had plotted to kill Joseph. (See Genesis 37:18.) And they had plotted to sell him as a slave. They plotted to sell him to Ishmaelites, who were going to Egypt. (See Genesis 37:27.) Joseph wanted to know whether the brothers would do the same thing again. Would they let Benjamin become a slave? Would they leave Benjamin in Egypt? Or were they more honourable than they were 22 years before?

v18 Then Judah went closer to Joseph. And he said, ‘Sir, please let your servant say a word to my master. And let not your anger be fierce against your servant. Truly you are like *Pharaoh himself. v19 My master asked his servants, “Have you a father or a brother?” v20 And we said to my master, “We have a father, who is an old man. And we have a young brother. He was born while his father was already old. He had another brother by the same mother, but he is dead. He is the only child of his mother who remains. His father loves him.” v21 Then you said to your servants, “Bring your brother to me, so that I may see him.” v22 We said to my master, “The boy cannot leave his father. If he should leave his father, his father would die.” v23 Then you said to your servants, “Unless your youngest brother is with you, you shall not see my face again.” v24 Then we went back to your servant my father. And we told him what my master had said.’