Genesis 49 is Jacob's (Israel's) blessing on his sons before he dies. Each blessing is a prophetic statement about the future of their descendants, the tribes of Israel. In Genesis 49:20, Jacob is blessing Asher, and the verse reads:

"“Asher’s food will be rich. He will produce royal dainties."

Here's a breakdown of what that means:

"Asher's food will be rich": This suggests that the tribe of Asher's territory would be blessed with fertile land and abundant resources. They would have access to high-quality, luxurious food. The word "rich" speaks to the abundance and quality of their produce.

"He will produce royal dainties": This reinforces the idea of high-quality food. "Royal dainties" implies that Asher's land would yield delicacies fit for a king. These could include olive oil, fine wines, grains, and other delicacies that were highly valued.

Symbolic Interpretation:

Beyond the literal interpretation of agricultural abundance, the verse can also be interpreted symbolically:

Prosperity and Blessing: Asher's blessing is a sign of divine favor and prosperity. It speaks to a life of ease and abundance, where the tribe would not struggle for basic necessities.

Hospitality: The production of "royal dainties" could also be seen as a sign of hospitality. The tribe of Asher would be known for their generosity and ability to provide for others.

Historical Context:

The territory eventually allotted to the tribe of Asher generally aligned with this blessing. Their land was located along the Mediterranean coast in what is now northern Israel and Lebanon. This region was known for its fertile land, olive groves, and other resources that produced high-quality food and agricultural products.

In essence, the blessing on Asher is a promise of fertile land, abundant resources, and a life of prosperity and ease, symbolized by the "rich food" and "royal dainties" their territory would produce.