The child is not] He cals him a child though seventeene yeeres of age, because himselfe was eldest of all, and Joseph the youngest but one: See Annot. on Chap. 22. vers. 5. and he saith, he is not, that is, not there, viz. in the Pit, or not at all; for that is the speech used for one that is dead, or so reputed, Genesis 42:13. 36. Jeremiah 31:15. Matthew 2:18. and I, whither shall I goe?] He thought some mischiefe had befallen him, because he could not find him, and feared his father would most require account of him at his hands, because he was the eldest; and that he would take it the worse from him, as being prepared for a misconceit by reason of the offence at his former evill act with Bilhah his Concubine, Chap. 35. 22. thence is he in great perplexitie, as not knowing what to doe, or whither to goe.