Genesis 42:38
And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.
Cross-reference
Genesis 42:4 already notes Jacob's refusal to send Benjamin — 42:38 now explains his reasoning.
In Genesis 42:13, the brothers explain that Benjamin is with their father, which is why Jacob is so protective in 42:38. Direct narrative backstory.
Genesis 35:16-18 describes Benjamin's birth and Rachel's death — explaining why Jacob fiercely protects her only remaining son.
Genesis 37:33 shows Jacob concluding Joseph was killed — the loss that makes him dread losing Benjamin in 42:38.
Genesis 37:35 has Jacob vowing to go down to Sheol mourning Joseph — the same phrase he uses in 42:38 about Benjamin.
Genesis 44:31 states the feared outcome — their father dies of grief — which Jacob anticipates in 42:38 as bringing gray hairs to Sheol.
Genesis 44:29 quotes Jacob's exact warning — 'bring down my gray hairs in evil' — from 42:38.
Genesis 44:20 repeats the brothers' report that Benjamin is the only surviving son of his mother — mirroring Jacob's words in 42:38.
Genesis 44:27-34 retells Jacob's fear through Judah's plea — reinforcing the stakes of Benjamin's safety from 42:38.
Genesis 43:13 shows Jacob relenting and telling them to take Benjamin — the reversal of his earlier refusal.
In Genesis 45:26, the news that Joseph is alive directly contradicts Jacob's despair about losing Benjamin and Joseph.
In Genesis 44:28, Jacob recalls losing Joseph as torn to pieces, which underlies his refusal to send Benjamin here.
In Genesis 44:22, the brothers repeat Jacob's fear that Benjamin cannot leave him, directly reflecting 42:38's grief expression.
Genesis 43:8 records Judah's plea to send Benjamin, addressing Jacob's fear by promising to protect him.
Genesis 43:5 has Judah reporting Joseph's demand that Benjamin must come — directly challenging Jacob's refusal to send him.
Genesis 35:18 records Rachel naming Benjamin 'Benoni' (son of my sorrow) at her death — foreshadowing Jacob's fear that Benjamin will bring more sorrow.
Genesis 30:22-24 records Joseph's birth as Rachel's first son — the beloved brother Jacob believes dead, driving his fear for Benjamin.
1 Kings 2:6 uses the same idiom 'gray hairs go down to Sheol' for David's instructions — a parallel expression of final judgment.