Genesis 49:20

KJV

Out of Asher his bread [shall be] fat, and he shall yield royal dainties.

KJV (with Strong's)

Out of Asher {H836} his bread {H3899} shall be fat {H8082}, and he shall yield {H5414} royal {H4428} dainties {H4574}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Asher's food is rich -he will provide food fit for a king.

Berean Standard Bible

Asher’s food will be rich; he shall provide royal delicacies.

American Standard Version

Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, And he shall yield royal dainties.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 49:20 presents a concise and vivid prophetic blessing from Jacob to his son Asher, foretelling a future characterized by extraordinary material prosperity and abundance for the tribe. It describes a land so exceptionally fertile that its produce, particularly its staple food, would be rich and plentiful, yielding delicacies fit for royalty, thereby signifying a life of comfort, luxury, and bountiful divine provision.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Jacob's final prophetic blessings, delivered to each of his twelve sons before his death, as recorded in [Genesis 49](/genesis/49 "Jacob's Prophetic Blessings to His Sons"). These pronouncements are not mere predictions but divinely inspired declarations, outlining the future characteristics, destinies, and territorial inheritances of the nascent tribes of Israel. Asher's blessing follows those of Dan and Gad, and precedes Naphtali, fitting into a structured sequence that collectively paints a picture of Israel's future. Each blessing reflects unique aspects of the son's character or the future tribe's destiny, with Asher's focusing on material abundance and the richness of his allotted land.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Asher, the eighth son, born to Zilpah, Leah's handmaid, received a promise reflecting the abundant fertility of the northern coastal plain of Canaan. This region, later allotted to his descendants, was renowned for its rich agricultural output, particularly its olive groves. Olive oil was a crucial commodity in the ancient Near East, serving as a primary food source, fuel for lamps, anointing oil, and a valuable trade item. The concept of "fat bread" and "royal dainties" would have immediately conveyed images of prosperity, luxury, and high status within a culture where sustenance was often hard-won and delicacies were reserved for the elite. The blessing also subtly hints at Asher's potential role in trade, given the strategic location of their future territory.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 49:20 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the chapter and the broader Pentateuch. It highlights the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Providence**, demonstrating God's foreknowledge and control over the destinies of His people, even before their full formation as a nation. The promise of "fat bread" and "royal dainties" underscores the theme of **Covenant Blessing and Material Provision**, echoing God's commitment to bless His chosen people with abundance in the Promised Land, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 28:1-14](/deuteronomy/28-1-14 "Blessings for Obedience"). Furthermore, it contributes to the theme of **Tribal Identity and Inheritance**, as each blessing helps to define the unique character and future role of the individual tribes within the collective nation of Israel, illustrating how their geographical and economic realities would align with Jacob's prophetic words.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **bread (Hebrew, _lechem'_):** From H3899, this word refers to food for man or beast, especially bread or grain. In this context, "bread" serves as a metonymy for all sustenance and agricultural produce. The phrase "his bread" therefore signifies the overall yield and provision from Asher's territory, emphasizing the staple diet and general livelihood derived from the land.
* **fat (Hebrew, _shâmên'_):** From H8082, this adjective describes something as greasy, gross, or figuratively, rich and plenteous. When applied to "bread" or land, it denotes exceptional fertility, richness, and abundance. It implies that the produce from Asher's land would not merely be sufficient but would be exceedingly rich in quality and quantity, providing ample and satisfying sustenance.
* **dainties (Hebrew, _maʻădân'_):** From H4574, this word refers to a delicacy or, abstractly, pleasure. When combined with "royal" (H4428, _melek_), it means "delicacies of a king" or "royal delicacies." This signifies not just an abundance of food, but food of superior quality, highly desirable, and luxurious—provisions suitable for the most esteemed tables, indicating a life of comfort, enjoyment, and premium provisions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Out of Asher his bread [shall be] fat":** This clause prophesies that the territory allotted to the tribe of Asher would be exceptionally fertile and productive. The "bread" (representing all agricultural output) would be "fat," meaning rich, abundant, and of high quality. This points to a land that would yield plentiful harvests, ensuring the tribe's prosperity and freedom from want. It suggests a generous and satisfying agricultural output, characteristic of a blessed and well-provided-for people.
* **"and he shall yield royal dainties":** This second clause amplifies the promise of abundance, indicating that Asher's land would produce not just staple foods, but also luxurious and choice provisions. "Royal dainties" implies produce of such superior quality and desirability that it would be fit for kings or the most honored guests. This speaks to a life of comfort, enjoyment, and a surplus of premium goods, potentially even enabling trade and influence due to the high value of their produce.

#### Literary Devices
Jacob's blessing on Asher employs several potent **Literary Devices**. **Metonymy** is evident in the use of "bread" to represent all forms of sustenance and agricultural produce from Asher's land, effectively summarizing the tribe's economic foundation. The phrase "his bread shall be fat" utilizes vivid **Imagery**, painting a picture of rich, fertile soil and abundant harvests, evoking a sense of material prosperity. Furthermore, the promise of "royal dainties" employs **Hyperbole** to emphasize the extraordinary quality and luxury of Asher's future produce, suggesting a surplus that goes beyond mere sustenance to include items fit for the highest social standing. This prophetic statement also functions as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the historical reality of Asher's territory, which was indeed renowned for its fertile olive groves and valuable agricultural output.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 49:20 powerfully illustrates God's benevolent nature and His desire to bless His people with material abundance and comfort. This prophetic word for Asher underscores the theme of divine provision, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His covenant promises by granting specific blessings tailored to each tribe's future inheritance. It highlights that God's goodness is often manifested through the natural world, providing the resources necessary for a prosperous life. The "fat bread" and "royal dainties" serve as a tangible symbol of God's overflowing generosity, inviting His people to trust in His ability to supply all their needs and more. This blessing also implicitly raises the theological question of stewardship, suggesting that such abundance comes with a responsibility to acknowledge the Giver and utilize blessings for His glory and the good of others.

* [Psalm 65:11](/psalms/65-11 "God Crowns the Year with Goodness")
* [Deuteronomy 33:24](/deuteronomy/33-24 "Moses' Blessing for Asher")
* [Proverbs 3:9-10](/proverbs/3-9-10 "Honor the Lord with your Wealth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 49:20 serves as a profound reminder of God's boundless capacity and unwavering desire to provide abundantly for His people. For believers today, this ancient prophecy encourages a deep and abiding trust in God's provision, compelling us to recognize that all our material, spiritual, and relational blessings flow from His generous hand. It prompts us to reflect on the "fat bread" and "royal dainties" in our own lives—our resources, talents, opportunities, and even our daily sustenance. Are we acknowledging God as the ultimate source of these provisions, cultivating a heart of gratitude for His daily mercies? Furthermore, are we stewarding these blessings wisely, using them not only for our own enjoyment but also to bless others, alleviate suffering, and bring glory to the Giver of all good things? This verse calls us to move beyond mere subsistence living to embrace a life of grateful and responsible stewardship in the face of divine generosity, understanding that true richness is found in God's provision and our response to it.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I recognize God's "fat bread" and "royal dainties" in my own life today?**
* **How does the promise of abundance for Asher challenge my perspective on material wealth and divine provision?**
* **What responsibilities come with receiving God's abundant blessings, and how can I better steward what I have been given?**

### FAQ
**What does "his bread [shall be] fat" mean in this context?**

Answer: "His bread [shall be] fat" signifies that the land allotted to the tribe of Asher would be exceptionally fertile and productive. The Hebrew word *shâmên* (שָׁמֵן) means rich, fertile, or abundant. This implies a plentiful yield of crops and sustenance, leading to a prosperous and well-nourished existence for the tribe. It suggests that their land would consistently produce high-quality, abundant food, ensuring their well-being and prosperity.

**What are "royal dainties" and what do they imply for Asher?**

Answer: "Royal dainties" (מַעֲדַנֵּי מֶלֶךְ, *ma'adannei melech*) refer to delicacies or choice foods fit for a king. This phrase implies that the produce from Asher's territory would not only be abundant but also of superior quality, highly desirable, and luxurious. It suggests a life of comfort and enjoyment, with provisions that were considered premium and worthy of the highest status, potentially even indicating the tribe's ability to engage in profitable trade with other nations or even royalty.

**How was this prophecy historically fulfilled for the tribe of Asher?**

Answer: Historically, the territory allotted to the tribe of Asher in the northern coastal plain of Canaan was renowned for its fertile soil, particularly its abundant olive groves. Olive oil was a crucial commodity in the ancient world, used for food, light, and anointing, and was a significant source of wealth. This rich agricultural output, especially the "fatness" of the olive oil, directly fulfilled Jacob's prophecy of "fat bread" and "royal dainties," indicating a tribe blessed with natural bounty and the means for prosperity, as also suggested in [Deuteronomy 33:24](/deuteronomy/33-24 "Moses' Blessing for Asher").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [Genesis 49:20](/genesis/49-20 "Asher's Material Blessing") speaks to Asher's material prosperity and the fertility of his earthly inheritance, its ultimate fulfillment points to the immeasurable spiritual abundance found in Christ. Just as Asher received a land yielding "fat bread" and "royal dainties," believers in Christ are promised an inheritance of spiritual riches that far surpasses any earthly provision. Jesus Himself declared, "I am the [bread of life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus the Bread of Life"); whoever comes to me shall not hunger," signifying that He is the ultimate source of spiritual sustenance who satisfies our deepest longings. Through Him, we receive not mere earthly provisions, but "royal dainties" in the form of every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, as described in [Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Blessed with Every Spiritual Blessing"). In Christ, "all the fullness of God dwells bodily" ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - Fullness of God in Christ")), and we are made complete in Him, receiving a spiritual inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading ([1_peter/1-4](/1-peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Incorruptible Inheritance")). He is the true source of life in its fullest and most abundant form, providing not just sustenance, but eternal joy, peace, and righteousness, fulfilling the promise of ultimate provision for His people ([Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God Will Supply All Your Needs")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 33:24

And of Asher he said, [Let] Asher [be] blessed with children; let him be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil.

Deuteronomy 33:25

Thy shoes [shall be] iron and brass; and as thy days, [so shall] thy strength [be].

Genesis 30:13

And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name Asher.

Genesis 46:17

And the sons of Asher; Jimnah, and Ishuah, and Isui, and Beriah, and Serah their sister: and the sons of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel.

Joshua 19:24

¶ And the fifth lot came out for the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families.

Joshua 19:31

This [is] the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families, these cities with their villages.