What were Chariots?

Chariots (Hebrew: רֶכֶב rekhev, meaning “a chariot, a vehicle, or a team”) were wheeled vehicles, typically drawn by horses, and were used in the ancient world for transportation, warfare, ceremonial processions, and displays of power. In Genesis 50, chariots are mentioned in the context of Joseph’s journey to bury his father Jacob in Canaan. Their presence underscores the significance of the event and the Egyptian perception of honor and authority.

The chariot represents both a literal and symbolic tool of mobility, strength, and governmental authority in the biblical narrative. While not a person, the term “chariots” carries rich theological and typological meaning in Scripture.

Biblical References

In Genesis 50:9 (NIV), the Bible states:

“Chariots and horsemen also went up with him. It was a very large company.”

This verse occurs during the funeral procession of Jacob. Joseph, serving as a high-ranking official in Egypt, receives Pharaoh’s permission to return to Canaan to bury his father. The escort includes not only Joseph‘s family and Egyptian officials but also a large military presence, including chariots and horsemen, symbolizing royal honor and national mourning.

Other relevant cross-references:

• Exodus 14:6-7 – Pharaoh takes 600 of his best chariots to pursue the Israelites.

• 1 Kings 10:26 – Solomon gathers chariots and horsemen as part of his royal power.

• 2 Kings 2:11 – Elijah is taken to heaven by a chariot of fire.

• Isaiah 31:1 – A warning to those who trust in chariots instead of God.

Historical and Cultural Context

In the ancient Near East, chariots represented technological advancement and military might. By the time of Joseph in Egypt (circa 1800–1700 BC), chariots were used by elite military units and were often included in royal ceremonies. The presence of chariots in the Genesis 50 funeral procession emphasizes:

• The prestige of Joseph’s position.

• The national significance of Jacob’s burial.

• The fusion of Egyptian and Hebrew cultural honor for the patriarch.

Chariots were not common household tools but were reserved for war, travel by nobility, or symbolic demonstration of a kingdom’s strength.

Theological Implications

Chariots often serve in Scripture as metaphors for human strength and reliance on worldly power. In Genesis 50, however, their inclusion in Jacob’s burial procession points to God‘s providence in elevating Joseph and preserving His covenant people in a foreign land. The honor accorded to Jacob in his burial journey also reflects God’s faithfulness to Abraham’s lineage and the beginnings of the fulfillment of the land promise.

Though Egyptians saw chariots as signs of national power, for the believer, this passage subtly reinforces that God orchestrates even worldly systems to carry out His purposes.

Literary Analysis

The phrase in Genesis 50:9—“It was a very large company”—includes both military and administrative personnel. The chariots and horsemen serve to:

• Highlight the importance of Jacob.

• Set a tone of royal grandeur.

• Create a contrast between Egyptian might and divine covenantal fulfillment.

The passage thus blends ceremonial, military, and theological themes, presenting Jacob’s burial as a deeply meaningful event with divine significance.

How Chariots Point to Jesus and the Gospel

Chariots, as symbols of might, are often contrasted in the Bible with the humble obedience of God’s people and the superiority of God’s deliverance. In Exodus, Pharaoh’s chariots are destroyed by God to save His people. In the gospel narrative, Jesus does not ride a chariot but enters Jerusalem on a donkey, signifying peace rather than war (Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:5).

Ultimately, chariots point to a greater reality: Salvation is not in human strength but in God. Jesus Christ conquers not through military power but through sacrificial love and resurrection. Just as Joseph’s chariots honored the death of a patriarch, the New Testament presents Christ’s cross and empty tomb as the true means by which honor, victory, and eternal life are achieved.

Broader Biblical Themes

1. God’s Sovereignty over Nations

Chariots belonged to Egypt, yet they served God‘s plan to fulfill His promise to Jacob. The Lord can use even pagan powers to bring about His will.

2. Human Strength vs. Divine Power

Throughout Scripture, chariots often symbolize trust in human strength. The biblical authors frequently urge believers to trust in God rather than military might (Psalm 20:7).

3. Death and Honor

Jacob‘s funeral procession reflects how God honors His covenant people. In Christ, believers are reminded that our ultimate honor is in being buried in hope of resurrection (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

4. Pilgrimage and Return

The chariots accompany a return to the Promised Land, anticipating Israel’s later Exodus and eventual conquest. It reminds readers that God’s people are always journeying toward His promises, just as we journey toward our eternal inheritance in Christ.

Reflection Questions

1. In what areas of life are you tempted to trust in “chariots”—human strength, power, or resources—rather than in God?

2. How does Joseph’s use of Egyptian honor to bury his father show God’s control over all things?

3. What does this passage teach us about honoring the legacy of God’s covenant people?

4. How do you see God working through secular or worldly systems today to accomplish His purposes?

5. How can the story of Jacob’s burial point us to the greater hope we have in Christ‘s resurrection and return?

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” — Psalm 20:7