Genesis 41:43

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him [ruler] over all the land of Egypt.

Complete Jewish Bible:

and had him ride in his second best chariot; and they cried before him, "Bow down!" Thus he placed him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.

Berean Standard Bible:

He had Joseph ride in his second chariot, with men calling out before him, “Bow the knee!” So he placed him over all the land of Egypt.

American Standard Version:

and he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he set him over all the land of Egypt.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And he made him to ride^{H7392} in the second^{H4932} chariot^{H4818} which he had; and they cried^{H7121} before him^{H6440}, Bow the knee^{H86}: and he made^{H5414} him ruler over all the land^{H776} of Egypt^{H4714}.

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Commentary for Genesis 41:43

Genesis 41:43 is a pivotal verse in the narrative of Joseph, a key figure in the Hebrew Bible. This verse captures the moment when Joseph, having interpreted Pharaoh's dreams and advised him on how to prepare for a coming famine, is elevated to a position of immense power and authority in Egypt. The historical context is set in the period when the Hebrews were living in Egypt, long before the Exodus.

In this verse, Pharaoh publicly acknowledges Joseph's wisdom and divine gifting by appointing him as his second-in-command. Joseph is made to ride in the second chariot, a clear symbol of his high status, just below Pharaoh himself. The cry of "Bow the knee" signifies the respect and subservience that Joseph now commands over the people of Egypt. This act of homage underscores the complete authority that Pharaoh has vested in Joseph.

The themes present in this verse include divine favor, as Joseph's rise from a Hebrew slave to an Egyptian ruler is seen as an act of God's providence; the reversal of fortune, highlighting the dramatic shift in Joseph's circumstances; and the recognition of wisdom and administrative skill, as Joseph's God-given abilities are acknowledged and rewarded by a foreign ruler. This moment sets the stage for Joseph's central role in the survival of his family and the Egyptian people during the years of famine that follow. It also foreshadows the future enslavement of the Israelites in Egypt, a reversal that will necessitate divine intervention centuries later.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H7392
   There are 75 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָכַב
   Transliteration: râkab
   Pronunciation: raw-kab'
   Description: a primitive root; to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or generally), to despatch; bring (on (horse-) back), carry, get (oneself) up, on (horse-) back, put, (cause to, make to) ride (in a chariot, on, -r), set.
   
2. Strong's Number: H4932
   There are 34 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִשְׁנֶה
   Transliteration: mishneh
   Pronunciation: mish-neh'
   Description: from שָׁנָה; properly, a repetition, i.e. a duplicate (copy of a document), or a double (in amount); by implication, a second (in order, rank, age, quality or location); college, copy, double, fatlings, next, second (order), twice as much.
   
3. Strong's Number: H4818
   There are 41 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֶרְכָּבָה
   Transliteration: merkâbâh
   Pronunciation: mer-kaw-baw'
   Description: feminine of מֶרְכָּב; a chariot; chariot. See also בֵּית הַמַּרְכָּבוֹת.
   
4. Strong's Number: H7121
   There are 689 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָרָא
   Transliteration: qârâʼ
   Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
   Description: a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications); bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.
   
5. Strong's Number: H6440
   There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּנִים
   Transliteration: pânîym
   Pronunciation: paw-neem'
   Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.
   
6. Strong's Number: H86
   There are 8770 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַבְרֵךְ
   Transliteration: ʼabrêk
   Pronunciation: ab-rake'
   Description: probably an Egyptian word meaning; kneel; bow the knee.
   
7. Strong's Number: H5414
   There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָתַן
   Transliteration: nâthan
   Pronunciation: naw-than'
   Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield.
   
8. Strong's Number: H776
   There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶרֶץ
   Transliteration: ʼerets
   Pronunciation: eh'-rets
   Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world.
   
9. Strong's Number: H4714
   There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִצְרַיִם
   Transliteration: Mitsrayim
   Pronunciation: mits-rah'-yim
   Description: dual of מָצוֹר; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt; Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim.