For except we had lingered,.... Delayed going down to Egypt, through the demur Jacob made of tending Benjamin with them:
surely now we had returned this second time; they would have made their journey to Egypt, and returned again with their corn, and their brother Benjamin too, as Judah supposed, before this time; so that by these delays they were losing time, and involving themselves and families in distress for want of corn.
For except we had lingered,.... Delayed going down to Egypt, through the demur Jacob made of tending Benjamin with them:
surely now we had returned this second time; they would have made their journey to Egypt, and returned again with their corn, and their brother Benjamin too, as Judah supposed, before this time; so that by these delays they were losing time, and involving themselves and families in distress for want of corn.