04_Biblica_AN_Bar_Layout 1 16/12/13 12:27 Pagina 570 570 SHAUL BAR of the choice products of the land in your baggage, and carry them down as a gift hxnm for the man — some balm and some honey, gum, ladanum, pistachio nuts, and almonds” (Gen 43,11). It was customary in the ancient world to send a tribute to a king. Therefore, Jesse who was honored by the drafting of his son, David, to Saul’s service, sent his son, David, to the king’s court. He sent him with bread, a skin of wine, and a kid (1 Sam 16,20). Later it was Abigail who sent food to David in order to appease him (1 Sam 25,18). The gift included bread, wine, sheep, parched cakes of raisin and cakes of pressed figs. When Solomon was the King of Israel, each prefect would have to furnish provisions for the King and all that were admitted to the King’s table (1 Kgs 5,7). Thus, when the people of Judah came to Jerusalem and gave King Hezekiah mgdnt (2 Chr 32,23), the term refers to food that was given to the king as a tribute. The same interpretation is valid for 2 Chr 21,3, where Jehoshaphat gave his sons many gifts that included silver, gold, and mgdnt (2 Chr 21,3). In this story King Jehoshaphat chose one of his sons, Jeho- ram, to be king and gave his other sons many gifts. The gifts included sil- ver, gold, mgdnt and fortified cities. All those gifts were given in order to diffuse any future tension between the king-to-be and his brothers. By giving them fortified cities King Jehoshaphat wished to integrate his sons into the administration of the kingdom. In addition it strengthened the kingdom in different strategic locations. Since they were an integral part of the kingdom, they received mgdnt which comprised food provisions that were given to the king. Interestingly, Radak (Rabbi David ben Joseph Kimḥi 1060-1235) in his commentary on our verse interpreted the word mgdnt as a reference to the very best in any given category, such as fruits, clothes or precious stones. On the eve of their return to Jerusalem from the exile, all the Gentile neighbors supported the Jews so they could return to Jerusalem (Ezra 1,6). The presents included silver vessels, gold, goods, livestock, and mgdnt. Three different categories are mentioned here. One category encompassed monetary assistance which comprised the silver vessels, gold, and goods. The livestock were animals for transportation, and the last category was mgdnt which was food for the long journey. Ralbag (Rabbi Levi ben Ger- shom known as Gersonides 1248-1344) interpreted it similarly. According to him, this is a general term for costly, highest quality items of any cat- egory such as clothing, food, or jewels. The interpretation of the term mgdnt as fruits shows that this is the best solution among all the others. Nevertheless, we cannot exclude other possibilities, such as precious gifts – a term that appears in the major dic- tionaries and translations. However, in ancient times fruits were consid- ered precious gifts – especially during times of famine. Therefore, it is not surprising that Jacob sent fruits to Egypt during the famine. This text shows the double meaning of fruits, which are also a precious gift.