Genesis 43:11
Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: take some of the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry a present down to the man, a little balm and a little honey, gum, myrrh, pistachio nuts, and almonds.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
{ "hasHistoricalBackground": true, "events": [ { "date": "c. 1805 BC", "title": "Joseph sold into slavery", "description": "Jacob's son Joseph is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and taken to Egypt.", "isCurrentContext": false }, { "date": "c. 1790 BC", "title": "Joseph becomes ruler of Egypt", "description": "After a period of hardship and unjust imprisonment, Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams and is elevated to second-in-command of Egypt.", "isCurrentContext": false }, { "date": "c. 1780 BC", "title": "Severe famine grips Canaan", "description": "A devastating famine causes widespread suffering in Canaan, forcing Jacob's sons to travel to Egypt for food.", "isCurrentContext": false }, { "date": "c. 1780 BC", "title": "Brothers first journey to Egypt", "description": "Jacob's ten older sons travel to Egypt to buy grain, where they are interrogated by Joseph, whom they do not recognize.", "isCurrentContext": false }, { "date": "c. 1780 BC", "title": "Brothers return to Canaan", "description": "The brothers return home with grain, but Joseph secretly returns their money and demands they bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, on their next trip.", "isCurrentContext": false }, { "date": "c. 1780 BC", "title": "Jacob reluctantly agrees to send Benjamin", "description": "Facing starvation, Jacob finally agrees to let Benjamin accompany his brothers to Egypt, instructing them to take a valuable present.", "isCurrentContext": true } ], "summaryInsight": "Jacob's instructions reveal a profound understanding of diplomacy and trust, a stark contrast to the betrayal that led Joseph to Egypt. The carefully chosen gifts signify not just appeasement, but also the hope for reconciliation and the deep yearning for his lost son, Benjamin, to be returned safely." }
Jacob, devastated by the demand to take Benjamin to Egypt, finally relents out of desperate necessity. He instructs his sons to gather the finest products of Canaan as a gift for the Egyptian ruler, hoping to soften his heart and secure Simeon's release and their safe return. This act of bringing gifts reflects an ancient custom of appeasing powerful figures and marks a crucial turning point in their anxious journey.
When facing an impossible situation, what does it mean to offer a 'present'?
Jacob, facing the terrifying prospect of losing Benjamin and potentially more sons, doesn't just send them back with empty hands. Instead, he instructs them to gather 'the best fruits of the land' as a gift for the powerful Egyptian ruler. This wasn't just about appeasing a powerful man; it was a strategic move rooted in ancient wisdom.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Genesis 43:11 is available in the Sola app.
Why a Gift?
Is it stubbornness or faithfulness to stick to your guns? Jacob's decision shows the difference.
Jacob's initial reaction to sending Benjamin back to Egypt was one of extreme reluctance, bordering on despair. He had already lost Joseph, and the thought of losing Benjamin, his last son by Rachel, was almost unbearable. He had declared, 'If I am bereaved, I am bereaved.'
However, the severe famine, the urgent pleas of his sons, and the potential death of his entire family begin to shift his perspective. He moves from an unyielding 'no' to a wise 'if it must be so, then do this.'
The Difference Between Constancy and Obstinacy
Jacob’s shift demonstrates that true wisdom isn't about never changing your mind, but about discerning when and how to adapt. He allows circumstances and the needs of his family to influence his decision, while still incorporating wise precautions (the gift, trusting God for mercy).
Understand the original words
Yisra'el · Hebrew Noun
The name given to Jacob by God, representing the covenantal lineage of the patriarchs and the identity of the people of God. It signifies one who struggles or prevails with God.
minchah · Hebrew Noun
A gift or offering given to a superior or person of authority to show respect, gain favor, or establish a peaceful relationship. In a biblical context, it often serves to appease or honor.
mor · Hebrew Noun
A fragrant resin or spice used for medicine, perfume, or burial preparation. It represents value, healing, and sometimes the sorrow associated with death.
c. 1729 BC
Joseph sold into slavery
Joseph's envious brothers sell him into slavery, leading to his eventual rise to power in Egypt.
c. 1716 BC
Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams
Joseph accurately predicts a coming seven-year famine after interpreting Pharaoh's dreams of seven fat and seven lean cows, and seven full and seven thin ears of grain.
c. 1710 BC
Joseph manages Egypt's food stores
During the seven years of plenty, Joseph collects and stores vast amounts of grain, preparing Egypt for the subsequent famine.
c. 1703 BC
Severe famine grips Canaan
The prophesied seven-year famine begins, devastating the land of Canaan and forcing Jacob's family to seek food elsewhere.
c. 1703 BC
Jacob's sons travel to Egypt for grain
Jacob's ten elder sons travel to Egypt to buy food, encountering Joseph, whom they do not recognize, and are accused of being spies.
c. 1703 BC
Joseph tests his brothers
Joseph, speaking through an interpreter, holds Simeon captive and demands the brothers bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, on their next visit to prove their honesty.
c. 1703 BC— this verse
Jacob reluctantly agrees to send Benjamin
Facing starvation, Jacob finally agrees to let Benjamin accompany his brothers on their second trip to Egypt, providing them with choice fruits from Canaan as a gift.
This verse echoes the ancient practice, seen here with Jacob's sons, of using gifts to gain favor and access to powerful people.
Genesis 37:25The mention of balm, spices, and myrrh connects directly to the goods that were being traded by the Ishmaelites who purchased Joseph, highlighting the commercial context of these precious items.
Genesis 42:25The instruction to place the money back into their sacks mirrors an earlier event in the chapter, showing a pattern of unsettling circumstances and the sons' subsequent actions to navigate them.
Matthew 7:7Jacob's prayer that God would grant them mercy before the Egyptian ruler is a beautiful example of seeking divine intervention and favor, much like Jesus' teaching to ask, seek, and knock.
1 Samuel 16:7Jacob's instructions for the present, focusing on desirable goods from the land, contrast with God's perspective in this verse, as God looks at the heart, not outward appearances or offerings.
gillGenesis 43:11: "And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:"
And their father said unto them,.... Being in some measure convinced by their reasonings, and in part at least reconciled to let Benjamin go with them, there being nothing to be done, he perceived, unless he consented to it: if it must be so now, do t…
calvinGenesis 43:1-34: "And the famine was sore in the land."
And they said, The man asked us straitly of our state, and of our kindred, saying, Is your father yet alive? have ye another brother? and we told him according to the tenor of these words: could we certainly know that he would say, Bring your brother down?
Et dixerunt, Interrogando interrogavit vir ille de nobis et cognatione nostra, discendo, Num adhuc pater vester vivit? Num est vobis frater? Et nuntiavimus ei secundum verba ista:…
{ "hasHistoricalBackground": true, "events": [ { "date": "c. 1805 BC", "title": "Joseph sold into slavery", "description": "Jacob's son Joseph is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and taken to Egypt.", "isCurrentContext": false }, { "date": "c. 1790 BC", "title": "Joseph becomes ruler of Egypt", "description": "After a period of hardship and unjust imprisonment, Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams and is elevated to second-in-command of Egypt.", "isCurrentContext": false }, { "date": "c. 1780 BC", "title": "Severe famine grips Canaan", "description": "A devastating famine causes widespread suffering in Canaan, forcing Jacob's sons to travel to Egypt for food.", "isCurrentContext": false }, { "date": "c. 1780 BC", "title": "Brothers first journey to Egypt", "description": "Jacob's ten older sons travel to Egypt to buy grain, where they are interrogated by Joseph, whom they do not recognize.", "isCurrentContext": false }, { "date": "c. 1780 BC", "title": "Brothers return to Canaan", "description": "The brothers return home with grain, but Joseph secretly returns their money and demands they bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, on their next trip.", "isCurrentContext": false }, { "date": "c. 1780 BC", "title": "Jacob reluctantly agrees to send Benjamin", "description": "Facing starvation, Jacob finally agrees to let Benjamin accompany his brothers to Egypt, instructing them to take a valuable present.", "isCurrentContext": true } ], "summaryInsight": "Jacob's instructions reveal a profound understanding of diplomacy and trust, a stark contrast to the betrayal that led Joseph to Egypt. The carefully chosen gifts signify not just appeasement, but also the hope for reconciliation and the deep yearning for his lost son, Benjamin, to be returned safely." }
Jacob, devastated by the demand to take Benjamin to Egypt, finally relents out of desperate necessity. He instructs his sons to gather the finest products of Canaan as a gift for the Egyptian ruler, hoping to soften his heart and secure Simeon's release and their safe return. This act of bringing gifts reflects an ancient custom of appeasing powerful figures and marks a crucial turning point in their anxious journey.
Jacob, devastated by the demand to take Benjamin to Egypt, finally relents out of desperate necessity. He instructs his sons to gather the finest products of Canaan as a gift for the Egyptian ruler, hoping to soften his heart and secure Simeon's release and their safe return. This act of bringing gifts reflects an ancient custom of appeasing powerful figures and marks a crucial turning point in their anxious journey.
"Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: take some of the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry a present down to the man, a little balm and a little honey, gum, myrrh, pistachio nuts, and almonds." — { "hasHistoricalBackground": true, "events": [ { "date": "c. 1805 BC", "title": "Joseph sold into slavery", "description": "Jacob's son Joseph is sold into slavery by his je…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
