Bible Strands
Genesis 50:9
Chariots and horsemen alike went up with him, and it was an exceedingly large procession.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator reports the composition of the funeral escort traveling from Egypt to Canaan. This occurs in the immediate aftermath of Joseph’s family departing Goshen to inter Jacob.
The words — The Hebrew רֶכֶב (re.khev) and פָּרָשִׁים (pa.ra.shim) literally denote "chariotry" and "horsemen," specifying the mounted and armored components of the column.
The thread — The text’s emphasis on Egyptian chariots and mounted troops parallels Joseph’s own transportation in Genesis 41:43 and the pharaoh’s military forces recorded in Exodus 14:7.
Why it lands — The passage first records the sheer size of the escort before indicating that Joseph’s administrative power is now directed toward covenant burial rites. A reader must acknowledge that political influence is being exercised solely to fulfill familial and religious obligation rather than to assert royal prestige.
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 there went up with him both chariots and horsemen: and it was a very great company.
Cross-references
- 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.
- Genesis 46:29 Joseph prepared his chariot and went there to meet his father Israel. Joseph presented himself to him, embraced him, and wept profusely.
- Exodus 14:7 He took 600 of the best chariots, and all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them.
- Exodus 14:17 And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. Then I will gain honor by means of Pharaoh and all his army and chariots and horsemen.
- Exodus 14:28 The waters flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had chased the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.
- 2 Kings 18:24 For how can you repel a single officer among the least of my master’s servants when you depend on Egypt for chariots and horsemen?
- Song of Solomon 1:9 I compare you, my darling, to a mare among Pharaoh’s chariots.
- Acts 8:2 God-fearing men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him.