And he (i.e. Jacob) said, My son shall not go down with you;—not because he could not trust Reuben after the sin described in Genesis 35:22 (Wordsworth), or because he could not assent to Reuben's proposal (Ainsworth), but because of what is next stated—for his brother (i.e. by the same mother, viz; Joseph) is dead (cf. Genesis 35:13; Genesis 37:33; Genesis 44:28), and he is left alone:—i.e. he alone (of Rachel's children) is left as a survivor—if mischief befall him (literally, and mischief shall befall him) by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye (literally, and ye shall) bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave—Sheol (cf. Genesis 37:35).
HOMILETICS