Jacob finally relents and allows Benjamin to go with his brothers.

Father Israel: see verse 8.

If it must be so, then do this is literally “If so, then do this.” The sense is “If it has to be” or “If there is no other way.” It may not be necessary to translate do this. For example, we may say “If that is the way it has to be, then take some….” See Good News Translation.

Choice fruits of the land: the meaning of the word translated choice fruits is uncertain, because it occurs only here in the Old Testament. However, some expression like “best produce” seems to fit the context well and is required to give a sense of high value to the present; some translations say, for example, “the most valuable things we have produced.” The narrator does not seem concerned to explain the existence of this produce during the severe famine.

Carry down to the man a present: that is, “Take a gift to the ruler of Egypt.”

The choice fruits are named as balm … honey, gum, myrrh, pistachio nuts, and almonds. For balm, gum, and myrrh see 37.25. Honey, both cultivated and wild, is known throughout most of the world; but the other items in the list may not be so well known. Many translations use general terms such as “ointment,” “perfume,” and “nuts,” either along with the actual names of the items or without the names.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .