אור החיים — לו ישטמנו יוסף

Q — After Yaakov's death, the brothers fear Yosef's revenge, saying 'לו ישטמנו יוסף.' Onkelos renders 'לו' as 'perhaps' (דלמא) — but 'לו' normally expresses a wish or hope ('if only'), the opposite of what the frightened brothers mean. Why does the Torah use this unique word here?

A — Or HaChaim sharpens the problem: noting that 'לו' is unparalleled in this sense is not the answer but the very question. Even though no reasonable reader would misunderstand it (no one would think the brothers were hoping for revenge), the Torah should still speak with 'לשון צודק' — precise language — using 'פן' or 'אולי.' The unusual word choice itself demands explanation, pointing beyond the surface meaning of their fear.