Bible Strands
Genesis 41:43
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Pharaoh issues a public command to his officials and subjects immediately after investing Joseph with a signet ring, fine linen garments, and a gold chain.
The words — וַ/יִּקְרְא֥וּ (va/i.yik.re.'U) means "and they called out," and אַבְרֵ֑ךְ ('av.Rekh) literally translates to "bend the knee."
The thread — The text notes Pharaoh's decree in Genesis 41:44 that no one may act without Joseph's permission, while Genesis 45:8 and Acts 7:10 record Joseph's later testimony that God placed him as ruler over Egypt.
Why it lands — The passage records a concrete political appointment and a mandatory public proclamation of authority, asking the reader to acknowledge the actual transfer of administrative power before considering any theological implications.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
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.
Cross-references
- Genesis 45:8 Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God, who has made me a father to Pharaoh—lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt.
- Genesis 45:26 “Joseph is still alive,” they said, “and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt!” But Jacob was stunned, for he did not believe them.
- Acts 7:10 and rescued him from all his troubles. He granted Joseph favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and all his household.
- Genesis 42:30 “The man who is lord of the land spoke harshly to us and accused us of spying on the country.
- Genesis 42:33 Then the man who is lord of the land said to us, ‘This is how I will know whether you are honest: Leave one brother with me, take food to relieve the hunger of your households, and go.
- Philippians 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
- Genesis 42:6 Now Joseph was the ruler of the land; he was the one who sold grain to all its people. So when his brothers arrived, they bowed down before him with their faces to the ground.
- Esther 6:8 have them bring a royal robe that the king himself has worn and a horse on which the king himself has ridden—one with a royal crest placed on its head.