In biblical times, the practice of carrying gifts for hosts was a common custom among travelers. This tradition is deeply rooted in the cultural and social norms of the ancient Near East, where hospitality was highly valued and often reciprocated with tokens of gratitude. The giving of gifts served not only as a gesture of appreciation but also as a means of establishing and maintaining relationships.

Biblical Examples:

1. Abraham's Servant and Rebekah: When Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for Isaac, the servant carried with him gifts to present to Rebekah and her family. Upon meeting Rebekah, he gave her a gold nose ring and bracelets (Genesis 24:22). Later, he presented additional gifts to her family as a sign of goodwill and to secure the marriage arrangement (Genesis 24:53).

2. Jacob and Esau: After years of estrangement, Jacob prepared to meet his brother Esau. To appease Esau and ensure a peaceful reunion, Jacob sent ahead a series of gifts, including livestock and servants (Genesis 32:13-15). This act of sending gifts was intended to find favor in Esau's eyes and demonstrate Jacob's respect and humility.

3. Joseph's Brothers in Egypt: During the famine, Jacob instructed his sons to take gifts to the Egyptian ruler, who was unbeknownst to them, their brother Joseph. They carried with them products of the land, such as balm, honey, spices, myrrh, pistachios, and almonds (Genesis 43:11). These gifts were meant to show respect and gratitude, as well as to secure favor during their plea for more grain.

4. The Queen of Sheba and Solomon: The Queen of Sheba visited King Solomon to test his wisdom and brought with her a great caravan of gifts, including gold, spices, and precious stones (1 Kings 10:2). Her gifts were a reflection of her admiration for Solomon's wisdom and her desire to establish a diplomatic relationship.

5. Paul and the Church at Philippi: In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul acknowledges the gifts sent to him by the church at Philippi. These gifts were a source of support and encouragement during his missionary journeys (Philippians 4:18). The Philippians' generosity exemplified the early Christian practice of supporting those who labored in the ministry.

Cultural and Theological Significance:

The practice of carrying gifts for hosts underscores the importance of hospitality in biblical times. Hospitality was not merely a social duty but a sacred obligation, reflecting the character of God, who is portrayed as a generous and hospitable host throughout Scripture. The giving of gifts was a tangible expression of this hospitality, fostering community and mutual respect.

Moreover, the act of giving gifts to hosts can be seen as a reflection of the biblical principle of sowing and reaping. By blessing others with gifts, travelers often reaped the benefits of goodwill, protection, and provision during their journeys. This principle is echoed in Proverbs 18:16 : "A man’s gift opens doors for him and brings him before great men."

In summary, the tradition of carrying gifts for those who entertained travelers is a testament to the enduring values of gratitude, respect, and community in biblical culture. These practices not only facilitated social interactions but also mirrored the divine hospitality that believers are called to emulate.Genesis 43:15
And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 10:2
And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bore spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 5:5
And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 2:11
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented to him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Christian Race.
... were banished from France, and that they carried with them ... comes in and takes it
from them: "Hold fast ... those by-paths are most beaten, most travellers go those ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xiii the christian race.htm

Ninth Tractate. Against those that Affirm the Creator of the ...
... spheres, moving in their ordered path, fellow-travellers with the ... witted, so immoveable,
as not to be carried by all ... Then let them for the moment pass over the ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/ninth tractate against those that.htm

Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House ...
... accumulate on the road, or dropping them from a ... district through which he passed,
who carried the news ... declared, that "the entertainment of travellers was as ...
/.../sketches of jewish social life/chapter 4 travelling in palestineroads.htm

My Second Year in Benares.
... people, and some knowledge of it is carried to the ... use of the choolas which former
travellers have left ... Churches, and the instruction given to them through His ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter ix my second year.htm

The Government of India.
... for insinuating themselves into the goodwill of travellers, with a ... years these works
have been carried on with ... way into the Continent before them, they subdued ...
/.../chapter xxxi the government of.htm

Elucidations.
... the Holy Scriptures, "I will never take and interpret them otherwise than ... (The Eucharist
carried in it ... The founding of hostels as refuges for travellers was an ...
/.../cyprian/three books of testimonies against the jews/elucidations.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... predecessors.** The shortness of their reigns presents a striking ... be a hostelry for
benighted travellers, or an ... but some stray bands of them, carried away by ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

The Life of S. Hilarion.
... "I was compelled, I was carried off against my ... of water in the desert, to carry
travellers who wished ... published everywhere that search should be made for them. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/the life of s hilarion.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... of the inscriptions and from the observations of travellers, that the whole ... ravages
amongst them, and which the survivors carried back with them to their ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

The Memphite Empire
... assiduously enforced upon the respectful attention of travellers. ... The materials for
them were brought from the ... The extraction of the stone was carried on with ...
/.../chapter iithe memphite empire.htm

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