Original Word: אַמְתַּחַת
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: amtachath
Pronunciation: am-takh'-ath
Phonetic Spelling: (am-takh'-ath)
KJV: sack
NASB: sack, sacks
Word Origin: [from H4969 (מָתַח - spreads)]

1. (properly) something expansive
2. a bag

sack

From mathach; properly, something expansive, i.e. A bag -- sack.

see HEBREW mathach

Word Origin
from mathach
Definition
a sack
NASB Translation
sack (8), sacks (7).

אַמְתַּ֫חַת noun feminine sack, only Genesis 42-44; — ׳א construction Genesis 44:2,12; suffix אַמְתַּחְתִּי Genesis 42:28, אַמְתַּחְתּוֺ Genesis 42:27 2t.; plural construct אַמְתְּחֹת Genesis 44:1; suffix אַמְתְּחֹתֵינוּ Genesis 43:18 3t.; אַמְתְּחֹתֵיכֶם Genesis 43:12,23; — sack (s) in which brethren of Joseph carried corn from Egypt; in phrase ׳בְּטִי אַמ Genesis 42:27 in the mouth of the sack, so Genesis 43:12,21; Genesis 44:1,2,8; elsewhere Genesis 42:28; Genesis 43:18,21,22,23; Genesis 44:1,11,11,12 (all J).

Material Culture and Description

The word denotes the large woven grain bag carried by the patriarchs’ sons on their journeys to and from Egypt. Sturdily constructed to hold bulk grain, silver, and personal supplies, it reflects the pastoral–agrarian life of early second-millennium Israel. Its size allowed an ass to bear equal portions for the long trek from Canaan to the Nile valley, bridging famine conditions in the land of promise with the abundance of Egypt.

Occurrences in the Joseph Narrative (Genesis 42–44)

Every use belongs to the climactic famine narrative:

• First discovery: At the night lodging, “one of them opened his sack to give feed to his donkey and saw his silver in the mouth of the sack” (Genesis 42:27).
• Collective alarm: “At the sight of their silver returned… their hearts sank” (Genesis 42:28).
• Second expedition: Jacob’s sons carry “double the silver” (Genesis 43:12) and again receive grain. Joseph’s steward reassures them, “Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks” (Genesis 43:23).
• Final test: “Then put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one’s sack” (Genesis 44:2). Discovery of the cup in Benjamin’s bag precipitates Judah’s intercession and Joseph’s self-disclosure.

Fifteen appearances cluster tightly, underscoring literary unity and historical credibility. The physical bags frame the emotional tension—fear, surprise, guilt, and ultimately reconciliation.

Theological and Redemptive Themes

1. Providential generosity. The grain bags deliver life-sustaining food during severe famine. Unasked-for silver illustrates grace preceding recognition, foreshadowing the gospel gift given “while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8).
2. Testing of integrity. By returning the payment and hiding the cup, Joseph exposes the brothers’ hearts. The same vessel that feeds them also searches them, paralleling how divine blessings can uncover hidden sin.
3. Typology of Christ. Joseph, the exalted yet unrecognized brother, fills their bags “as much as they could carry” (Genesis 44:1). He provides bread, just as Jesus is the Bread of Life, and places the emblem of his authority (the cup) into Benjamin’s sack, prefiguring communion where Christ’s cup signifies the New Covenant.
4. Reconciliation narrative. The bags become proof that guilt can be reversed. What the brothers fear as judgment becomes the very sign that God is already at work for their deliverance.

Historical Reliability

Archaeological finds of woven grain containers and textual parallels from Egyptian tomb paintings confirm the plausibility of such sacks in the era of the Twelfth Dynasty. The account’s minute details—weight of silver, measured grain portions, opening of sacks along the caravan route—echo authentic travel customs.

Practical Ministry Application

• Stewardship: Like the brothers, believers receive resources they did not earn. Personal inventory should begin with gratitude and accountability.
• Pastoral counseling: Guilt over past sins (as with Joseph’s brothers) often resurfaces when blessings arrive. The narrative encourages confession and acceptance of grace rather than self-condemnation.
• Missions and mercy: The grain bags symbolize tangible relief coupled with spiritual purpose. Compassion ministries can meet physical need while guiding recipients to recognize the hidden Author of every good gift.

Intercanonical Echoes

Though later Scriptures employ different terms for “bag,” resonances remain. The disciples gather leftover bread in baskets (Matthew 14:20), and Paul carries the offering for Jerusalem believers (Romans 15:25–27). In each case, containers of provision remind the faithful that God fills, multiplies, and returns with abundance pressed into the laps of those who trust Him (Luke 6:38).

Summary

The recurring grain bag of Genesis 42–44 is far more than luggage; it is a narrative device by which God feeds a family, exposes sin, and sets the stage for the preservation of Israel. Each time the sack is opened, another layer of redemption unfolds, pointing ahead to the Savior who still fills empty vessels with grace.

אַמְתְּחֹ֤ת אַמְתְּחֹֽתֵיכֶם֙ אַמְתְּחֹתֵ֔ינוּ אַמְתַּ֣חַת אַמְתַּחְתּ֔וֹ אַמְתַּחְתּ֖וֹ אַמְתַּחְתּֽוֹ׃ אמתחת אמתחתו אמתחתו׃ אמתחתיכם אמתחתינו בְּאַמְתְּחֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם בְּאַמְתְּחֹתֵ֙ינוּ֙ בְּאַמְתְּחֹתֵֽינוּ׃ בְּאַמְתַּ֖חַת בְאַמְתַּחְתִּ֑י באמתחת באמתחתי באמתחתיכם באמתחתינו באמתחתינו׃ ’am·ta·ḥaṯ ’am·taḥ·tōw ’am·tə·ḥō·ṯê·ḵem ’am·tə·ḥō·ṯê·nū ’am·tə·ḥōṯ ’amtaḥaṯ ’amtaḥtōw ’amtəḥōṯ ’amtəḥōṯêḵem ’amtəḥōṯênū amTachat amtachTo amteChot amtechoteiChem amtechoTeinu bə’amtaḥaṯ ḇə’amtaḥtî bə’amtəḥōṯêḵem bə’amtəḥōṯênū bə·’am·ta·ḥaṯ ḇə·’am·taḥ·tî bə·’am·tə·ḥō·ṯê·ḵem bə·’am·tə·ḥō·ṯê·nū beamTachat beamteChoteiChem beamtechoTeinu veamtachTiInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts