Jacob sends an offering to Egypt hoping for favor and rescue for his family.
Jacob, who was also called Israel (born around 2006 BC and died around 1859 BC), responds to his sons’ predicament in Egypt by instructing them to bring gifts as reconciliation. When Scripture says, “Then their father Israel said to them, ‘If it must be so, then do this: take some of the best products of the land in your bags, and carry down to the man as a present, a little balm and a little honey, aromatic gum and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds’” (v.11), it shows Jacob making a deliberate choice to approach the unknown Egyptian official (who is actually his own son Joseph, unbeknownst to him) from a place of humility. These products—balm and honey, spices like gum and myrrh, and nuts—symbolize both the richness of Canaan’s land and the father’s desire to do everything possible to rescue his family from famine and demonstrate good faith in the foreign land. Canaan, situated in what is now roughly modern-day Israel and surrounding regions, was foundational to the promises God gave to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3 only), making Jacob’s gifts a representation of God’s provision even amid hardship.
In this verse, “Then their father Israel said to them” (v.11) also emphasizes Jacob’s leadership over his family, a role he carried from the time he inherited the birthright from his brother Esau (Genesis 25:29-34 only). As the once deceitful sibling, Jacob underwent transformation through encounters with God, including wrestling with Him (Genesis 32:24-32 only), culminating in his name change to Israel. Here, he is acting as the patriarch striving to protect and preserve his family during a devastating famine, reminding us that God’s plans can use our obedience and trust even in tribulation, foreshadowing the ultimate deliverance found in Jesus Christ (John 3:16 only).
By offering “some of the best products of the land” (v.11), Jacob also reflects a commitment to honor courtesy and generosity, just as believers are called to offer their best unto the Lord and to others (Romans 12:1 only). This act of sending resources to Egypt in a time of deprivation for the world at large foreshadows how God’s chosen people would later expand their influence, with Joseph providing become a blessing to the nations (Genesis 50:20 only). The verse points to God’s sovereign hand guiding even the scarcity of that era to fulfill His redemptive purposes, teaching believers today to trust that, in Christ, no offering of faith or obedience is wasted.
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Genesis 43:11 meaning
Jacob, who was also called Israel (born around 2006 BC and died around 1859 BC), responds to his sons’ predicament in Egypt by instructing them to bring gifts as reconciliation. When Scripture says, “Then their father Israel said to them, ‘If it must be so, then do this: take some of the best products of the land in your bags, and carry down to the man as a present, a little balm and a little honey, aromatic gum and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds’” (v.11), it shows Jacob making a deliberate choice to approach the unknown Egyptian official (who is actually his own son Joseph, unbeknownst to him) from a place of humility. These products—balm and honey, spices like gum and myrrh, and nuts—symbolize both the richness of Canaan’s land and the father’s desire to do everything possible to rescue his family from famine and demonstrate good faith in the foreign land. Canaan, situated in what is now roughly modern-day Israel and surrounding regions, was foundational to the promises God gave to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3 only), making Jacob’s gifts a representation of God’s provision even amid hardship.
In this verse, “Then their father Israel said to them” (v.11) also emphasizes Jacob’s leadership over his family, a role he carried from the time he inherited the birthright from his brother Esau (Genesis 25:29-34 only). As the once deceitful sibling, Jacob underwent transformation through encounters with God, including wrestling with Him (Genesis 32:24-32 only), culminating in his name change to Israel. Here, he is acting as the patriarch striving to protect and preserve his family during a devastating famine, reminding us that God’s plans can use our obedience and trust even in tribulation, foreshadowing the ultimate deliverance found in Jesus Christ (John 3:16 only).
By offering “some of the best products of the land” (v.11), Jacob also reflects a commitment to honor courtesy and generosity, just as believers are called to offer their best unto the Lord and to others (Romans 12:1 only). This act of sending resources to Egypt in a time of deprivation for the world at large foreshadows how God’s chosen people would later expand their influence, with Joseph providing become a blessing to the nations (Genesis 50:20 only). The verse points to God’s sovereign hand guiding even the scarcity of that era to fulfill His redemptive purposes, teaching believers today to trust that, in Christ, no offering of faith or obedience is wasted.