Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 45:23
And to his father he sent after this [manner]; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way.
Verse 23. Meat for his father by the way.] mazon, from zan, to prepare, provide, c. Hence prepared meat, some made-up dish, delicacies, confectionaries, c. As the word is used, 2Ch 16:14, for aromatic preparations, it may be restrained in its meaning to something of that kind here. In Asiatic countries they have several curious methods of preserving flesh by potting, by which it may be kept for any reasonable length of time sweet and wholesome. Some delicacy, similar to the savoury food which Isaac loved, may be here intended and this was sent to Jacob in consideration of his age, and to testify the respect of his son. Of other kinds of meat he could need none, as he had large herds, and could kill a lamb, kid, sheep, or goat, whenever he pleased.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
After this manner; Heb. according to this. What? Either what went before, changes of raiment, or what follows, ten asses, & c.
Or, contend, one with another, each vindicating himself, and laying the blame upon his brother.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
23. to his father he sentasupply of everything that could contribute to his support andcomfortthe large and liberal scale on which that supply was givenbeing intended, like the five messes of Benjamin, as a token of hisfilial love [see on Ge 43:34].
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And to his father he sent after this [manner],…. Or “according to” this l; either in like manner, as he gave his brethren change of raiment, c. so he sent the like to him, as Aben Ezra and Ben Melech interpret it, referring it to what goes before or rather as Jarchi, according to this account or number, even which follows: namely,
ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt: the best things the land afforded; the Targum of Jonathan says with wine, but that Egypt did not abound with; and so Jarchi, out of the Talmud, observes, that it was old wine that was sent, such as is agreeable to ancient men:
and ten she asses laden with corn; not made up into bread, next mentioned, and so distinguished from it:
and bread: ready made and baked:
and meat for his father by the way; food and fruit of various sorts; Aben Ezra reckons many, peas, beans, lentils, millet, fetches, figs, currants, and dates.
l “sicut hoc”, Pagninus, Montanus; “in hunc modum”, Tigurine version.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(23) Meat.Heb., food, victual, the usual meaning of meat in our version.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
23. Ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt “These presents to his aged father were in princely profusion, as was fitting the rank of the highest subject of Pharaoh, calculated to impress Jacob unmistakably with the reality of the romantic story which the brethren were to carry back to their father; yet as Jacob was immediately to leave home he could really use but a very small part of this provision . ” Newhall .
Gen 45:23. Bread and meat for his father The flesh which travellers in the east frequently carry with their other provisions, is usually potted, in order to preserve it fit for use. Dr. Shaw* mentions it as part of the provision he made for his journey to Mount Sinai, which commonly is not completed under two months; nor does he speak of any other sort of meat which he carried with him. In some such way, doubtless, was the meat prepared, which Joseph sent to his father for his viaticum when he was to come into AEgypt, ten asses laden with the good things of AEgypt, and ten she-asses laden with corn, and bread and meat, for his father by the way. But meat is by no means necessary for an eastern traveller; and especially for so short a journey as Jacob had to take; and still less for one who was to travel with considerable quantities of cattle, as we know Jacob did; see ch. Gen 46:6; Gen 46:32. who consequently could kill a goat or a kid, a sheep or a lamb for himself and his company, whenever he pleased. It was therefore, no doubt, sent rather as a mark of respect, and as a delicacy. And St. Jerome, in a letter of his, speaks of potted flesh in this light.
* Pref. p. 11.
There are other ways, however, in these hot countries of potting flesh for keeping, besides that of contusion mentioned by St. Jerome, and practised in our country. Jones, in the Misc. Curiosa, vol. 3: p. 388, 389. gives us this description of the Moorish elcholle, which is made of beef, mutton, or camel’s flesh, but chiefly beef; and which “they cut into long slices, salt it well, and let it lie twenty-four hours in the pickle. They then remove it out of the tubs or jars, into others filled with water, and when it has lain a night, take it out, and hang it on ropes in the sun and air to dry. When it is thoroughly dried and hard, they cut it into a pan or cauldron, which is ready with boiling oil and suet sufficient to cover it, where it boils till it be very clear and red, if one eat it; which, taken out, they set to drain. When all is thus done, it stands till cool, and jars are prepared to put it up in, pouring the liquor they fried it in upon it; and as soon as it is thoroughly cold, they stop it up close. It will keep two years, it will be hard, and they look upon the hardest to be best done. This they dish up cold, sometimes fried with eggs and garlic, sometimes stewed, and lemon squeezed on it. It is very good any way, either hot or cold.”
Observe Jacob’s name is changed to Israel. A believing soul is a true Israelite. Luk 1:45 .
Gen 45:23 And to his father he sent after this [manner]; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way.
Ver. 23. After this manner. ] Not the same that he gave Benjamin, as some sense it; but as followeth in the text.
laden with: Heb. carrying, Gen 45:17
good things: Gen 24:10, Gen 43:11, Exo 16:3
meat: As mazon is derived from zoon, to prepare, provide, Dr. A. Clarke thinks it may mean here prepared meat; some made-up dish, delicacies, confectionaries, etc. In Asiatic countries they have several curious methods of preserving flesh by potting, by which it may be kept, for any length of time, sweet and wholesome. Some delicacy, similar to the savoury meat which Isaac loved, may here be intended; sent to Jacob in consideration of his age, and to testify the respect of his son; for of other kinds of meat he could have no need, as he had large flocks and herds, and could kill a lamb, kid, etc. when he pleased.
Reciprocal: Gen 42:19 – carry corn
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge