04_Biblica_AN_Bar_Layout 1 16/12/13 12:27 Pagina 572 572 SHAUL BAR VI. Conclusion: fruits or precious gifts? Following the negotiations between Abraham’s servant and Rebecca’s family the servant gave gifts to Rebecca and mgdnt to her brother and mother (Gen 24,53). Thus, the question arises: what kind of gifts are the mgdnt? The Hebrew term mgdnt is mentioned outside of the book of Gen- esis three times in the Hebrew Bible (2 Chr 21, 3; 32,23; Ezra 1,5-6). The fact that the Hebrew word mgdnt appears in these postexilic books shows that Genesis 24 is a late composition. Remarkably the term mgdnt appears together with silver and gold (Gen 24,53; Ezra 1,6; 2 Chr 21,3). The men- tion of silver and gold probably prompted the translation of mgdnt as pre- cious gifts. However, our study shows that mgdnt are fruits. The masculine singular noun meged appears five times in Deuteronomy 33, 13-16 in the blessings that were bestowed on Joseph. Scrutiny of the Hebrew term meged reveals that it refers to choice fruits. This interpretation was noted already by dictionaries and commentaries alike. In addition ~ydgm the mas- culine plural of the root mgd appears in the Canticle three times: ~ydgm yrp (4,13), wydgm yrp (4,16), and ~ydgm (7,14). In two instances ~ydgm is juxta- posed with the Hebrew word yrp which means fruit. Reading the Hebrew Bible reveals that food was a highly regarded gift and was given to royalty and to other people as a sign of good will. Moreover, before departing for Aram–Naharaim the servant took with him all the bounty (bwj lkw) of his master. Analysis of the term bounty shows that it refers to fruits. Our study of the Hebrew words meged and ~ydgm has demonstrated that fruits were an integral part of gift giving. This evidence supports our contention that the Hebrew word mgdnt refers to fruits which the servant gave to Re- becca’s family as a present. Bornblum Judaic Studies Shaul BAR The University of Memphis Memphis, TN 38152 (USA) SUMMARY Our study shows that the Hebrew word tndgm refers to fruits which the servant gave to Rebecca’s family as a present. This interpretation is based on examination of the masculine singular and plural forms of the Hebrew word dgm and ~ydgm which mean fruits. Examination of the Biblical text shows that the bounty of the land also refers to fruits. Giving fruits as a present to Rebecca’s family is not surprising since giving fruits to royalty and people alike in the ancient world was a gesture of good will.