It may have been a practice in patriarchal times to give gifts to those who had suffered adversity. When Jehovah turned back the captive condition of Job, his brothers, sisters, and former acquaintances not only came to comfort him but each one gave him “a piece of money and each one a gold ring.”​—Job 42:10, 11.

Gifts Given to Open the Way for Benefits. Gifts were often given with a view to gaining something desirable. Jacob got ready an impressive gift of livestock for Esau in order to find favor in the eyes of his brother. (Ge 32:13-18; 33:8) Jacob’s insistence that Esau accept this gift can be better understood when considering that, according to Eastern custom, refusing to accept a gift denoted that favor would not be granted. (Ge 33:10)

Gifts to Kings, Prophets, and Others. The indications are that it was customary for those going to see a king to bring gifts. “Good-for-nothing men” who had no respect for Saul are singled out as not bringing any gift to him. Solomon especially was given gifts in great abundance by those coming from distant lands to hear his wisdom. The astrologers who came to see “the one born king of the Jews” were simply following this custom when they presented gifts to the young child Jesus. (1Sa 10:27; 1Ki 10:10, 24, 25; Mt 2:1, 2, 11; see also 2Ki 20:12; 2Ch 17:5.)

From earliest times the giving of presents played an important role in daily life. Abraham’s aged servant gave gifts of jewelry to Rebekah after seeing evidence that Jehovah had assigned her as a wife for Isaac. (Ge 24:13-22) Then, upon receiving the approval of Laban and Bethuel for the marriage, Abraham’s servant gave additional gifts to Rebekah and also “choice things to her brother and to her mother.” (Ge 24:50-53)