Genesis 43:11 - Their father, Israel, said to them, “If it must be so, then do this. Take from the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry down a present for the man, a little balm, a little honey, spices and myrrh, nuts, and almonds;
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What does "Genesis 43:11" mean?
This verse, Genesis 43:11, describes the gifts that Jacob (also known as Israel) instructs his sons to take with them to Egypt when they return to buy more grain. Let's break down the meaning:
"Their father, Israel, said to them, 'If it must be so, then do this.'": This refers to the sons' reluctant return to Egypt to buy more food after they have run out. Jacob had initially been very resistant to letting Benjamin go back to Egypt with his brothers, fearing for his safety. The fact that he says "if it must be so" shows that he has finally accepted that they have no other choice if they want to survive the famine.
"Take from the choice fruits of the land in your bags...": He is telling them to take the best produce from the land of Canaan.
"...and carry down a present for the man...": Jacob is suggesting that they offer the Egyptian official (unbeknownst to them, their brother Joseph) a gift to gain his favor and hopefully ensure their success in buying grain and safely returning Benjamin.
"...a little balm, a little honey, spices and myrrh, nuts, and almonds;": This lists the specific items Jacob wants them to take as a gift. These items are valuable and representative of the bounty of Canaan:
Balm: A fragrant resin used for medicinal purposes and perfume.
Honey: A sweet and valuable commodity.
Spices: Aromatic substances used for flavoring and preservation.
Myrrh: Another fragrant resin often used in perfumes and incense.
Nuts and Almonds: Represent the agricultural wealth of the land.
In essence, the verse means:
Jacob, recognizing the dire need for more food and reluctantly agreeing to let Benjamin travel to Egypt, instructs his sons to take a selection of the finest products from their land as a gift to the Egyptian official. He hopes that this gesture of goodwill will help them secure the necessary grain and ensure Benjamin's safe return.
Significance:
Desperation and Love: Jacob's willingness to part with these precious goods, especially almonds, is a sign of his desperation and love for his family. He is willing to sacrifice what little he has left to ensure their survival.
Cultural Context: The act of offering a gift to a powerful official was a common practice in ancient times to gain favor and ensure good treatment.
Irony: The irony is that the official is actually their brother Joseph, whom they sold into slavery many years before. This adds a layer of complexity to the situation. The "gift" is ultimately unnecessary, as Joseph has already planned to reveal himself and provide for his family.
Ultimately, this verse showcases Jacob's growing resignation to the circumstances, his practical approach to dealing with the situation, and the hope that a gesture of good faith might improve their chances of survival and the safe return of his beloved son, Benjamin.
Genesis 43:11 - Their father, Israel, said to them, “If it must be so, then do this. Take from the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry down a present for the man, a little balm, a little honey, spices and myrrh, nuts, and almonds;
What does "Genesis 43:11" mean?
This verse, Genesis 43:11, describes the gifts that Jacob (also known as Israel) instructs his sons to take with them to Egypt when they return to buy more grain. Let's break down the meaning:
"Their father, Israel, said to them, 'If it must be so, then do this.'": This refers to the sons' reluctant return to Egypt to buy more food after they have run out. Jacob had initially been very resistant to letting Benjamin go back to Egypt with his brothers, fearing for his safety. The fact that he says "if it must be so" shows that he has finally accepted that they have no other choice if they want to survive the famine.
"Take from the choice fruits of the land in your bags...": He is telling them to take the best produce from the land of Canaan.
"...and carry down a present for the man...": Jacob is suggesting that they offer the Egyptian official (unbeknownst to them, their brother Joseph) a gift to gain his favor and hopefully ensure their success in buying grain and safely returning Benjamin.
"...a little balm, a little honey, spices and myrrh, nuts, and almonds;": This lists the specific items Jacob wants them to take as a gift. These items are valuable and representative of the bounty of Canaan:
Balm: A fragrant resin used for medicinal purposes and perfume.
Honey: A sweet and valuable commodity.
Spices: Aromatic substances used for flavoring and preservation.
Myrrh: Another fragrant resin often used in perfumes and incense.
Nuts and Almonds: Represent the agricultural wealth of the land.
In essence, the verse means:
Jacob, recognizing the dire need for more food and reluctantly agreeing to let Benjamin travel to Egypt, instructs his sons to take a selection of the finest products from their land as a gift to the Egyptian official. He hopes that this gesture of goodwill will help them secure the necessary grain and ensure Benjamin's safe return.
Significance:
Desperation and Love: Jacob's willingness to part with these precious goods, especially almonds, is a sign of his desperation and love for his family. He is willing to sacrifice what little he has left to ensure their survival.
Cultural Context: The act of offering a gift to a powerful official was a common practice in ancient times to gain favor and ensure good treatment.
Irony: The irony is that the official is actually their brother Joseph, whom they sold into slavery many years before. This adds a layer of complexity to the situation. The "gift" is ultimately unnecessary, as Joseph has already planned to reveal himself and provide for his family.
Ultimately, this verse showcases Jacob's growing resignation to the circumstances, his practical approach to dealing with the situation, and the hope that a gesture of good faith might improve their chances of survival and the safe return of his beloved son, Benjamin.