What does Genesis 45:23 mean?
Under the happy command of Egypt's own king, Joseph is outfitting his brothers for a trip to relocate their entire family (Genesis 45:16–20). Joseph is sending enough wagons to transport his father Jacob, his brothers, and all their wives and children. Even though the world is gripped in an intense famine (Genesis 45:6), there might be some question about whether Jacob will agree to the move. He knows Canaan is the land of God's promise (Genesis 28:15–16). He might not believe, at first, that his son Joseph has been alive all this time (Genesis 37:31–34).To reassure Jacob, Joseph has given extravagant gifts to his brothers. This includes clothing—perhaps mirroring Jacob's own use of an expensive cloak to show favor to Joseph many years ago (Genesis 37:1–4). He also adds gifts for Jacob himself: ten donkeys loaded down with choice gifts from Egypt, evidence that Jacob's family will lack for nothing after their move. Another ten female donkeys were loaded with all the food and provisions necessary for the large family's return trip.