Genesis 41:43

Pharaoh gave Joseph a chariot to ride in. A chariot is a war wagon pulled by horses. The king did this to show that Joseph was the second boss over Egypt. And from that time, everywhere Joseph went in his chariot, soldiers walked in front of him, shouting out to the people in the street, “Move off the road, and bow down to Joseph.” In this way Pharaoh showed his people that Joseph was the boss over the whole country of Egypt.

Barkly (portions)

In The King James Version

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.

In Context

42Pharaoh had a ring that had special marks on it. He used this ring to put his special mark on papers to prove that he had written them. Pharaoh took that ring off his finger and put it on Joseph's finger to show that Joseph was working for him. And he gave Joseph really nice clothes to wear and put a gold chain around his neck.

44Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, I am the king, but before anyone in Egypt does anything, they have to ask you first.”

Read all of Genesis 41

Cross References

Genesis 42:6Joseph was the boss over all of Egypt and if anyone wanted to buy food, they had to speak to him. And so, Joseph's brothers went to him and bowed down with their faces on the ground in front of him.

Genesis 42:33The boss of that country said, ‘I want to make sure that you are honest men that live the right way. One of you must stay behind in Egypt, while the rest of you take food back to your families.

Genesis 45:26They said to their father, “Joseph is alive, and he is the boss over all of Egypt.” Jacob was shocked and did not believe them.

Esther 3:2And so, King Zerk-sees made a law that said all the king's workers at the palace gates had to bow down to Haman. They had to get down on their knees to show him deep respect. All the king's workers did this, but More-dek-eye (Mordecai) would not follow that new law. He would not get down on his knees to show respect to Haman.

Matthew Henry on Genesis 41:34-46

Joseph's Exaltation. ( b. c. 1715.) 33 Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. 35 And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. 36 And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Genesis 41:43