THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
Observe the fervor displayed by the Egyptians in their honor for Joseph. They accompany Joseph, creating a "great company."
Genesis 50:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
He had also in his train chariots and horsemen: and it was a great company.
וַיַּ֣עַל עִמּ֔וֹ גַּם־רֶ֖כֶב גַּם־פָּרָשִׁ֑ים וַיְהִ֥י הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה כָּבֵ֥ד מְאֹֽד׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Vissarion (Nechaev)
Joseph, accompanied by chariots and cavalry, formed a large contingent. The presence of the chariots and horsemen served to enhance the dignity of the procession as well as to protect the travelers from potential threats in the Arabian desert that lay ahead. Thus, the funeral procession resembled the march of a substantial army.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Gen 46:29And when he was come thither, Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet his father in the same place: and seeing him, he fell upon his neck, and embracing him, wept.
- Ex 14:7And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots that were in Egypt: and the captains of the whole army.
- Ex 14:28And the waters returned, and covered the chariots and the horsemen of all the army of Pharao, who had come into the sea after them, neither did there so much as one of them remain.
- Gen 41:43And 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.
- Acts 8:2And devout men took order for Stephen's funeral and made great mourning over him.
- Song 1:9Thy cheeks are beautiful as the turtledove's, thy neck as jewels.
- Ex 14:17And I will harden the heart of the Egyptians to pursue you: and I will be glorified in Pharao, and in all his host, and in his chariots and in his horsemen.