THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
Due to the presence of God alongside him, the Lord orchestrated the entire plan and elevated him to this level of magnificence.
Genesis 41:43Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
And he made him go up into his second chariot, the crier proclaiming that all should bow their knee before him, and that they should know he was made governor over the whole land of Egypt.
וַיַּרְכֵּ֣ב אֹת֗וֹ בְּמִרְכֶּ֤בֶת הַמִּשְׁנֶה֙ אֲשֶׁר־ל֔וֹ וַיִּקְרְא֥וּ לְפָנָ֖יו אַבְרֵ֑ךְ וְנָת֣וֹן אֹת֔וֹ עַ֖ל כָּל־אֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
5 Church Fathers comment on this verse
- John Chrysostom
- Ephraem the Syrian
- Jerome of Stridon
- Ignatij (Briantchaninow)
- Philaret of Moscow (Drosdow)
Ephraem the Syrian
While Joseph was interpreting dreams for Pharaoh, his previous master was present. Upon realizing that his former servant had been elevated to a position second only to Pharaoh on the royal throne, he hurried home with the same urgency he displayed when he previously rushed to his wife to disparage Joseph. He exclaimed to her, “Joseph, once our servant, is now our lord. Pharaoh, whom we kept in prison without garments, has arrayed him in fine robes. The one we cast among the prisoners now rides in Pharaoh's chariot, while he who was bound with iron chains is adorned with a golden chain around his neck. How can I lift my gaze to one whom I have wronged so deeply?” His wife replied, “Fear not the man to whom you have done no injustice.
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He knows whether his disgrace was deserved or not when he was cast out of our home, as he suffered at my hands. Go now without trepidation amongst the noble ranks surrounding his chariot, lest Joseph believe we are troubled by his current exaltation. To demonstrate that Joseph is not wicked, contrary to my prior falsehoods, I will now disclose the whole truth. I harbored affection for Joseph even as I slandered him; I seized him by his garments because I was captivated by his beauty. If he is truly a man of integrity, he may seek vengeance on me but not upon you. However, due to his integrity, he will not retaliate against me, for if he had not been wronged, he would not have languished in prison. And had he not been imprisoned, he would not have been able to interpret Pharaoh's dreams or reached the prominence of which you speak. Although we did not elevate him to this position, we inadvertently played a part in it; the humiliation we inflicted is what led to his renown, bringing him to be second only to the king.” Pentephrius then joined the procession of Joseph’s chariot through the streets alongside the nobles, and Joseph remained unscathed. He knew that it was the Divine who had allowed his brothers to throw him into the pit and then send him into Egypt bound, as well as permitted Pentephrius to imprison him, so that from this degradation he could be exalted in Pharaoh's chariot.
Joseph sat magnificently in Pharaoh's chariot, having gained dominion over all Egypt; and our Lord, the eternal King, ascended into heaven on a luminous cloud, now gloriously seated at the right hand of the Father, above the Cherubim, as the only begotten Son. As Joseph took his place in the chariot, the nobles proceeded around him. Upon witnessing the astounding sight of Joseph in Pharaoh's chariot, Pentephrius, who had once cast him into prison, was filled with great fear. He discreetly withdrew from the nobles and rushed back home, where he conveyed to his wife, “Did you witness this remarkable wonder? Great fear now surrounds us, for our servant Joseph has become lord over us and all of Egypt, and now he is seated gloriously on Pharaoh's chariot, revered as king. I could not bear to look upon this and withdrew quietly.”
Hearing this, Pentephrius' wife encouraged him, saying, “I will confess my transgression; it was I who, desiring to be with the chaste Joseph and to bask in his beauty, persistently and alluringly pursued him. Despite my efforts, he never granted me a word, and when I once seized him, compelling him to show me favor, he escaped from the house—this is when I displayed his garments to you. Thus, I effectively bestowed upon him a kingdom and great honor. Had I not desired Joseph so deeply, he would not have been confined in the prison; my affection played a role in his glory. But Joseph is righteous and holy, for he, being slandered, chose not to reveal the truth to anyone. Therefore, rise now, go in joy, and pay homage to him among the nobles.” Pentephrius then stood and respectfully approached Joseph to worship him.
Jerome of Stridon
In place of that, Akilah conveyed, ‘And shouted: ‘Kneel before him!‘.’ Simmah, echoing the Hebrew term itself, articulates: ‘And cried out before him: ‘Αβρεχ!‘.’ It seems to me that this is not merely a ‘herald’ or an act of kneeling to respect and honor Joseph, but, as is suggested by Jewish tradition, it signifies a ‘tender father.’ This, I believe, reflects the intended translation. The term ab (אַבְ) translates to ‘father,’ while rech (רֵ֑ךְ) signifies ‘sweet’ or ‘tender.’ Thus, Scripture illustrates that, in his wisdom, Joseph was a paternal figure to all, yet in his youth, he was also a gentle young man and even a boy.
Ignatij (Briantchaninow)
and he commanded that Joseph be placed in his second chariot, the one used for the newly appointed dignitary, as he was paraded through the city. A herald led the procession, proclaiming Joseph's status and power to the people. At that time, Joseph was thirty years old.
Philaret of Moscow (Drosdow)
In his second chariot, which is second only to your own, bow your knees. This is how Aquila interprets the word אברך, as noted by Jerome in his work on the Hebrew tradition and in the Vulgate. Some scholars suggest that it signifies being girded or clothed by the king. When Joseph was released from prison, he was entrusted with governing Pharaoh’s household and the entire kingdom; he received a new robe (Gen. 41:42), a royal chariot, the honor of kneeling, and the title of interpreter of mysteries. Thus, entering into the rights bestowed upon him, he became the deliverer of both Egyptians and Hebrews (Gen. 41:45). Upon Jesus' resurrection from the grave, all authority in heaven and on earth was conferred upon Him (Matt. 28:18).
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His humble earthly garment was transformed into a glorified one; the Church, in submission to Him, swiftly spreads His name from nation to nation, akin to the steeds of Pharaoh’s chariots (Song of Songs 1:8). Every knee in heaven, on earth, and beneath the earth shall bow at His name (Phil. 2:10). In Him, light is disclosed, in Him, a mutual bond is established, and through Him, the salvation of both Jews and Gentiles is realized.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Gen 45:8Not by your counsel was I sent hither, but by the will of God: who hath made me as it were a father to Pharao, and lord of his whole house, and governor in all the land of Egypt.
- Acts 7:10And delivered him out of all his tribulations: and he gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharao, the king of Egypt. And he appointed him governor over Egypt and over all his house.
- Gen 42:6And Joseph was governor in the land of Egypt, and corn was sold by his direction to the people. And when his brethren had bowed down to him,
- Gen 45:26And they told him, saying: Joseph, thy son, is living; and he is ruler in all the land of Egypt. Which when Jacob heard, he awaked as it were out of a deep sleep, yet did not believe them.
- Phil 2:10That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth:
- Gen 42:30The lord of the land spoke roughly to us, and took us to be spies of the country.
- Esth 6:8Ought to be clothed with the king's apparel, and to be set upon the horse that the king rideth upon, and to have the royal crown upon his head,
- Esth 6:9And let the first of the king's princes and nobles hold his horse, and going through the street of the city, proclaim before him and say: Thus shall he be honoured, whom the king hath a mind to honour.