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Verse 43

He made him to ride in the second chariot - That which usually followed the king's chariot in public ceremonies.

Bow the knee - אברך abrech , which we translate bow the knee, and which we might as well translate any thing else, is probably an Egyptian word, the signification of which is utterly unknown. If we could suppose it to be a Hebrew word, it might be considered as compounded of אב ab , father, and רך rach , tender; for Joseph might be denominated a father, because of his care over the people, and the provision he was making for their preservation; and tender because of his youth. Or it may be compounded of אב ab , father, and ברך barech , blessing, the latter ב beth being easily lost in the preceding one; and Joseph might have this epithet as well as the other, on account of the care he was taking to turn aside the heavy curse of the seven years of famine, by accumulating the blessings of the seven years of plenty. Besides, father seems to have been a name of office, and probably father of the king or father of Pharaoh might signify the same as the king's minister among us; see on Genesis 45:8 ; (note). But if it be an Egyptian word, it is vain to look for its signification in Hebrew.

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