Presents.

• 2 min. read • grade level: 13

Antiquity of. Gen. 32:13¹³And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his hand a present for Esau his brother; (Genesis 32:13). Gen. 43:

WERE GIVEN

To judges to secure a favorable

hearing. Prov. 17:23²³A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment. (Proverbs 17:23). Amos 2:6⁶Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes; (Amos 2:6).

To kings to engage their aid. 1 Kin. 15:18.

By kings to each other in token of inferiority. 1 Kin. 10:25. 2 Chr. 9:23, 24²³And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart. ²⁴And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and raiment, harness, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year. (2 Chronicles 9:23‑24). Psa. 72:10¹⁰The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. (Psalm 72:10).

To appease the angry feelings of others. Gen. 32:20²⁰And say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob is behind us. For he said, I will appease him with the present that goeth before me, and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me. (Genesis 32:20). 1 Sam. 25:27, 28, 35²⁷And now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought unto my lord, let it even be given unto the young men that follow my lord. ²⁸I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the Lord will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the Lord, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days. (1 Samuel 25:27‑28)
³⁵So David received of her hand that which she had brought him, and said unto her, Go up in peace to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person. (1 Samuel 25:35).

To confirm covenants. Gen. 21:28-30²⁸And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves. ²⁹And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves? ³⁰And he said, For these seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well. (Genesis 21:28‑30).

To reward service. 2 Sam. 18:12¹²And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king's son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom. (2 Samuel 18:12). Dan. 2:6, 48⁶But if ye show the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honor: therefore show me the dream, and the interpretation thereof. (Daniel 2:6)
⁴⁸Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon. (Daniel 2:48).

To show respect. Judg. 6:18¹⁸Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and bring forth my present, and set it before thee. And he said, I will tarry until thou come again. (Judges 6:18).

In token of friendship. 1 Sam. 18:3, 4³Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. ⁴And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle. (1 Samuel 18:3‑4).

As tribute. Judg. 3:15¹⁵But when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, the Lord raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab. (Judges 3:15). 2 Sam. 8:2²And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts. (2 Samuel 8:2). 2 Chr. 17:5⁵Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honor in abundance. (2 Chronicles 17:5).

On occasions of visits. 2 Kin. 8:8.

On all occasions of public rejoicing. Neh. 8:12¹²And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them. (Nehemiah 8:12). Esther 9:19¹⁹Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another. (Esther 9:19).

At marriages. Gen. 24:53⁵³And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things. (Genesis 24:53). Psa. 45:12¹²And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall entreat thy favor. (Psalm 45:12).

On recovering from sickness. 2 Kin. 20:12.

On restoration to prosperity. Job 42:10, 11¹⁰And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. ¹¹Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold. (Job 42:10‑11).

On sending away friends. Gen. 45:22²²To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment. (Genesis 45:22). Jer. 40:5⁵Now while he was not yet gone back, he said, Go back also to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon hath made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people: or go wheresoever it seemeth convenient unto thee to go. So the captain of the guard gave him victuals and a reward, and let him go. (Jeremiah 40:5).

Considered essential on all visits of business. 1 Sam. 9:7⁷Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we? (1 Samuel 9:7).

Not bringing, considered a mark of disrespect and disaffection. 1 Sam. 10:27²⁷But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace. (1 Samuel 10:27). 2 Kin. 17:4.

Generally procured a favorable reception. Prov. 18:16¹⁶A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. (Proverbs 18:16). Prov. 19:6⁶Many will entreat the favor of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts. (Proverbs 19:6).

When small or defective, refused. Mal. 1:8⁸And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 1:8).

Of persons of rank, of great value and variety. 2 Kin. 5:5. 2 Chr. 9:1¹And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart. (2 Chronicles 9:1).

Receiving of, a token of good will. Gen. 33:10, 11¹⁰And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me. ¹¹Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it. (Genesis 33:10‑11).

THINGS GIVEN AS;

Cattle. Gen. 32:14, 15, 18¹⁴Two hundred she goats, and twenty he goats, two hundred ewes, and twenty rams, ¹⁵Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she asses, and ten foals. (Genesis 32:14‑15)
¹⁸Then thou shalt say, They be thy servant Jacob's; it is a present sent unto my lord Esau: and, behold, also he is behind us. (Genesis 32:18).

Horses and mules. 1 Kin. 10:25.

Money. Gen. 45:22²²To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment. (Genesis 45:22). 1 Sam. 9:8⁸And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way. (1 Samuel 9:8). Job 42:11¹¹Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold. (Job 42:11).

Eatables. Gen. 43:11¹¹And their father Israel said unto 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: (Genesis 43:11). 1 Sam. 25:18¹⁸Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses. (1 Samuel 25:18). 1 Kin. 14:3.

Garments. Gen. 45:22²²To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment. (Genesis 45:22). 1 Sam. 18:4⁴And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle. (1 Samuel 18:4).

Weapons of war. 1 Sam. 18:4⁴And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle. (1 Samuel 18:4).

Ornaments. Gen. 24:22, 47²²And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold; (Genesis 24:22)
⁴⁷And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter art thou? And she said, The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bare unto him: and I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands. (Genesis 24:47). Job 42:11¹¹Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold. (Job 42:11).

Gold and silver vessels. 1 Kin. 10:25.

Precious stones. 1 Kin. 10:2. Servants. Gen. 20:14¹⁴And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife. (Genesis 20:14). Gen. 29:24, 29²⁴And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid. (Genesis 29:24)
²⁹And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid. (Genesis 29:29).

Often borne by servants. Judg. 3:18¹⁸And when he had made an end to offer the present, he sent away the people that bare the present. (Judges 3:18).

Often conveyed on camels, &c. 1 Sam. 25:18¹⁸Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses. (1 Samuel 25:18). 2 Kin. 8:9. 2 Chr. 9:1¹And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart. (2 Chronicles 9:1).

Sometimes sent before the giver. Gen. 32:21²¹So went the present over before him: and himself lodged that night in the company. (Genesis 32:21).

Generally presented in person. Gen. 43:15, 26¹⁵And 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. (Genesis 43:15)
²⁶And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth. (Genesis 43:26). Judg. 3:17¹⁷And he brought the present unto Eglon king of Moab: and Eglon was a very fat man. (Judges 3:17). 1 Sam. 25:27²⁷And now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought unto my lord, let it even be given unto the young men that follow my lord. (1 Samuel 25:27).

Laid out and presented with great ceremony. Gen. 43:25²⁵And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there. (Genesis 43:25). Judg. 3:18¹⁸And when he had made an end to offer the present, he sent away the people that bare the present. (Judges 3:18). Matt. 2:11¹¹And 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 unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11).

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The New Topical Textbook

• Paschal Lamb, Typical Nature of.

• Patience.

• Patriarchal Government.

• Pilgrims and Strangers.

• Pillars.

• Plague or Pestilence, the.

• Plowing.

• Pomegranate-Tree, the.

• Pools and Ponds.

• Poor, the.

• Power of Christ, the.

• Power of God, the.

• Powers of the Holy Ghost, the.

• Praise.

• Prayer.

• Prayer, Intercessory.

• Prayer, Private.

• Prayer, Public.

• Prayer, Social and Family.

• Precious Stones.

• Preciousness of Christ.

• Presents.