After finally revealing his identity, Joseph dispatches a heavily laden royal caravan to bring his elderly father down to Egypt. The composition of this caravan is carefully arranged, carrying both practical supplies and deeply symbolic gifts. The presentation of the tribute connects directly to Joseph's generosity toward his brothers. Some commentators suggest that just as Joseph provided his brothers with silver and new clothes, he sent the exact same gifts to his father, in addition to the loaded pack animals [אבן עזרא, רד״ק, ספורנו]. Others view the initial description as pointing directly to the precise inventory of ten donkeys that follows [רש״י, גור אריה, מזרחי], or simply as a general term denoting a tribute [רשב״ם, רמב״ן, שד״ל].
The caravan consists of ten male donkeys and ten female donkeys. Sending a mixed group of male and female animals was a standard practice for transport caravans, mirroring the tribute Jacob himself once sent to Esau [רמב״ן, רבנו בחיי]. The specific number ten aligns perfectly with the ten brothers returning to the land of Canaan. By providing exactly ten animals, Joseph ensures that each returning brother has one beast of burden to lead, deliberately exempting his youngest brother, Benjamin, from the physical labor of managing the caravan [רשב״ם, חזקוני]. On a deeper level, these ten animals subtly allude to the ten brothers who originally sold Joseph, serving as a quiet signal to Jacob that Joseph harbors no lingering resentment toward them [גור אריה].
The male donkeys are loaded with the finest goods of Egypt. Practically speaking, this includes the nation's highest quality merchandise, garments, embroideries, and royal treasures [אבן עזרא, חזקוני, ביאור יש״ר]. However, a specialized tradition suggests that Joseph selected items uniquely suited for an elderly man. This included aged wine, which warms the body and brings comfort to the aged, or split beans, a food historically known to soothe the mind, ease worries, and help one forget past troubles. After enduring decades of profound grief, these specific comforts offer a much-needed remedy for Jacob's peace of mind [רש״י, תורה תמימה, דברי דוד].
The female donkeys carry a diverse array of provisions for the journey, divided into three distinct categories. The first is raw grain, primarily intended as fodder to feed the animals along the way, or simply un-milled produce [רד״ק, מחוקקי יהודה, רבנו בחיי]. The second is baked bread or refined grain ready for immediate human consumption [אבן עזרא, רד״ק, ביאור יש״ר]. The third category encompasses all other types of sustenance, including relishes and dips to accompany the bread [רש״י, העמק דבר], as well as various legumes, rice, and dried fruits like figs, dates, and raisins [אבן עזרא, רלב״ג, רבנו בחיי].
This massive accumulation of supplies is specifically designated for the journey back to Egypt. Such a vast quantity is necessary because traveling with an entire extended family, including an elderly patriarch, women, and young children, is a slow and drawn-out process, requiring significantly more resources than the brothers' swift journey [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Furthermore, by providing an abundance of ready-to-eat food, Joseph ensures that Jacob will not have to spend time preparing provisions, allowing him to set out for Egypt immediately and without delay [ביאור יש״ר].