Lexical Summary botnim: Pistachio nuts Original Word: בֹּטֶן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance nut From beten; (only in plural) a pistachio-nut (from its form) -- nut. see HEBREW beten NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition pistachio NASB Translation pistachio nuts (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs בָּטְנִים noun [masculine] plural pistachio, an oval nut (compare Assyrian bu‰nu COTGloss & SchrMBAK 1881, 419, Aramaic בּוּטְנָא,  , Arabic  ; on Punic Βουτνούμ BlauZMG 1873, 527) = pistacia terebinthus RobBR i. 208, ii. 222, PostPEF Oct. 1888, 218, No. 214 f; Tr. Vict. Inst. xxii. 271 etc. pist. vera LöwNo. 44); Genesis 43:11 one of the articles carried from Canaan to Egypt by sons of Jacob as present to Joseph; still a delicacy in Egypt and Syria, compare Wetzst in Löwp.420. Topical Lexicon Botanical Identification and Cultivation בֹּטֶן (boten) points to the modern Pistacia vera, the pistachio tree, a slow-growing deciduous tree that thrives in the arid or semiarid zones of the Near East. It requires hot summers, cool winters, and well-drained soil—conditions characteristic of portions of Canaan, especially the hill country of Ephraim and the highlands east of the Jordan. The tree bears drupes whose split shells expose the pale green kernel prized for its rich oil content and sweet flavor. Harvest occurred in early autumn when clusters were shaken from the branches and spread to dry, much as figs or almonds were treated (compare Numbers 17:8). Geographical Distribution in Biblical Times Archaeobotanical evidence places wild or cultivated pistachios in the Syro-Palestinian corridor as early as the Late Bronze Age. By the patriarchal period the nut was sufficiently esteemed to be classified among the “best products of the land” that distinguished Canaan from Egypt’s grain-based economy. Isaiah later alludes to a “forest of fruitful land” (Isaiah 29:17), a phrase that fits the mixed orchards of olive, almond, and pistachio found on the limestone terraces of central Israel. Pistachios among the ‘Choice Fruits of the Land’ Genesis 43:11 records the single biblical occurrence: “Take some of the best products of the land... pistachio nuts and almonds.” Grouped with balm, honey, spices, and almonds, pistachios are presented as luxury items—light in weight, high in value, and non-perishable—ideally suited for diplomatic tribute. They represent the land’s capacity to yield delicacies beyond mere subsistence, underscoring the covenant promise of a “good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:8). Economic and Trade Significance By the Middle Bronze Age the northern caravan routes from Damascus to Egypt carried resins, perfumes, and specialty foods. Pistachios, harvested in the Levant and northern Mesopotamia, moved southward alongside frankincense and myrrh (Genesis 37:25). Their inclusion in Jacob’s gift hints at existing trade networks that Joseph, as Pharaoh’s vizier, would instantly recognize. In later periods, records from Persia and Greece mention pistachios as royal rations, confirming their status as an elite commodity. Role in Jacob’s Gift to the Egyptian Governor Jacob instructs his sons to present pistachios to “the man” (Joseph) in hopes of securing Simeon’s release and Benjamin’s safety. The gift functions on several levels: 1. A gesture of goodwill in the face of political uncertainty (Proverbs 18:16). Symbolic and Theological Reflections • Hidden richness: Like the almond (Jeremiah 1:11–12), the pistachio’s shell conceals a prized kernel, mirroring the concealed purposes of God later revealed (Romans 11:33). Practical Ministry Applications 1. Stewardship: Like Jacob, believers should dedicate the best of their resources to advance God’s purposes (2 Corinthians 9:7). Though mentioned only once, בֹּטֶן enriches the biblical tapestry, reminding readers that every detail of creation and commerce can serve the unfolding redemptive narrative. Forms and Transliterations בָּטְנִ֖ים בטנים bā·ṭə·nîm bateNim bāṭənîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 43:11 HEB: נְכֹ֣את וָלֹ֔ט בָּטְנִ֖ים וּשְׁקֵדִֽים׃ NAS: and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds. KJV: spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds: INT: aromatic and myrrh pistachio and almonds 1 Occurrence |
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