Topical Bible: Fruits: Often Sent As Presents

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Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical times, fruits were not only a staple of the diet but also held significant cultural and symbolic value. They were often sent as presents, reflecting hospitality, goodwill, and the desire to honor or appease others. The practice of sending fruits as gifts is documented in several instances throughout the Scriptures, highlighting their importance in ancient Near Eastern customs.

Jacob's Gift to Esau

One of the earliest examples of sending fruits as presents is found in the account of Jacob and Esau. After years of estrangement, Jacob sought to reconcile with his brother Esau. To appease him, Jacob sent a generous gift ahead of their meeting. While the primary focus of the gift was livestock, it is implied that such gifts would often include produce from the land, as was customary in the region (Genesis 32:13-20).

Joseph's Brothers and the Egyptian Official

In Genesis 43, during a time of famine, Jacob instructed his sons to take a gift to the Egyptian official, who was unbeknownst to them, their brother Joseph. The gift included "some of the best products of the land—balm, honey, spices, myrrh, pistachios, and almonds" (Genesis 43:11). This selection of fruits and other goods was intended to curry favor and demonstrate respect and gratitude.

David and Abigail

The narrative of David and Abigail in 1 Samuel 25 provides another instance where fruits and other provisions were sent as a gift. Abigail, seeking to prevent David's wrath against her household, quickly prepared a gift that included "two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five dressed sheep, five seahs of roasted grain, a hundred cakes of raisins, and two hundred cakes of pressed figs" (1 Samuel 25:18). This offering was both practical and symbolic, serving to placate David and avert disaster.

Symbolism and Significance

Fruits as gifts in biblical times were not merely practical; they carried symbolic meanings. They represented the bounty and blessing of the land, a sign of prosperity and divine favor. Sending fruits as presents was a gesture of goodwill, often used to mend relationships, show respect, or express gratitude.

Cultural Context

In the ancient Near East, the exchange of gifts, including fruits, was a common practice in diplomatic and personal relationships. It was a way to establish alliances, show loyalty, and maintain peace. The choice of fruits and other goods often reflected the best of what the land could offer, underscoring the giver's sincerity and the value placed on the relationship.

Conclusion

The biblical accounts of sending fruits as presents illustrate the deep cultural and relational significance of such gifts. They were more than mere sustenance; they were tokens of peace, reconciliation, and respect, deeply embedded in the social and spiritual fabric of the times.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 43:11
And their father Israel said to 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:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Fruits and the Two Works.
... prayerful study of this catalogue of evil fruits and an ... learn evil things, while
good traits more often have to be ... Accordingly he sent his Son to this world to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter vi fruits and the.htm

Concerning the Festivals; and How Each Day of Such Festival is to ...
... of the goats; the one of which is sent alive out ... times, as also its pavement, and
again as often toward the ... the month, they first partake of the fruits of the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 concerning the festivals.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty
... a trusty substitute ruled in his place: often, however, he ... command of a royal envoy,
she sent them forth ... a giraffe, together with plants and fruits unknown on ...
/.../chapter iiithe eighteenth theban dynasty.htm

The Epistle to the Romans
... that it yields the most blessed spiritual fruits; that it ... distinction from the other
apostles, was sent to the ... b. Protestants often ascribed the origin of this ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the epistle to the romans.htm

Ancestors of the Blessed virgin
... I saw her often lying weeping with her face to the ... She sent her back to her parents
with presents and ... Its fruits hung from the ends of the branches generally ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/i ancestors of the blessed.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... land of canals and reeds," as it was often named"was ... the approach of so formidable
an invader, sent him presents ... did not live long to enjoy the fruits of his ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

How David, when He had Twice the Opportunity of Killing Saul did ...
... they had securely gathered in their corn and their fruits. ... that Saul was coming against
him, he sent spies, and ... his kindred, while still he was often saved by ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 13 how david when.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty --(Continued)
... These foreign wives had often to interfere in some of the contentions which ... also
mention vessels of gold or blocks of precious stone sent as presents or as ...
/.../chapter ithe eighteenth theban dynastycontinued.htm

On the Management of the Resources Collected for the Support of ...
... by the imposition of the bishop's hands, and sent out His ... things are due to him,
the first-fruits of thy ... Avoid swearing falsely, and swearing often, and in vain ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iv on the management of.htm

The visit to Media.
... guard, driving impetuously over such ways, were often thrown from ... led Cyrus thus
to give away the fruits of his ... that they ought to be returned, sent them all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter iii the visit to.htm