Like the Old Testament priests and the Lord Jesus, Joseph had to wait until he was thirty years old before he was fully put into his ministry (v. 46; Num. 4:3; Luke 3:23). While Joseph was in confinement, he was being tried, tested, and trained for his enthronement.

I.e., the Nile. So throughout the chapter.

Lit., he.

Lit., him.

Or, pit. In his being released from the dungeon, Joseph typifies Christ as the One resurrected from the prison of death (Acts 2:24).

Lit., will answer Pharaoh with peace.

On the day Joseph was released from the dungeon, he was enthroned to be the actual ruler over the whole land of Egypt. In like manner, after Christ was resurrected from death, He was enthroned with all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18; Acts 2:36).

In his receiving glory and gifts in his enthronement, Joseph typifies Christ, who received glory (Heb. 2:9) and gifts (Psa. 68:18; Acts 2:33) in His ascension. The ring, the garments, and the gold chain portray the gifts that Christ received in His ascension to the heavens, which gifts He has passed on to the church. The signet ring signifies the Holy Spirit as a seal within and upon Christ’s believers (Acts 2:33; Eph. 1:13; 4:30; cf. Luke 15:22). The garments signify Christ as our objective righteousness for our justification before God (1 Cor. 1:30; cf. Psa. 45:9, 13; Luke 15:22) and as our subjective righteousness lived out of us that we may be qualified to participate in the marriage of the Lamb (Psa. 45:14 and note Psa. 45:14¹; Rev. 19:7-9 and note Rev. 19:8^2b). The golden chain signifies the beauty of the Holy Spirit given for obedience expressed in submission (cf. Acts 5:32). A chained neck signifies a will that has been conquered and subdued to obey God’s commandment (cf. S.S. 1:10; Prov. 1:8-9). According to the sequence of spiritual experience, we first receive the sealing Spirit for salvation; then we receive the garment of righteousness and begin to live Christ (Gal. 2:20; Phil. 1:20-21a). In order for us to live Christ, our neck must be chained, our will must be subdued, by the Holy Spirit.

Meaning savior of the world, sustainer of life, or revealer of secrets. First, Joseph was the revealer of secrets (Gen. 40:9-19; 41:17-32); then, because he sustained the life of the people (vv. 47-57; 47:12-24), he became the savior of the world (Gen. 47:25). In this also he typifies Christ (Matt. 13:1-52; John 6:50-51; Acts 5:31).

In taking an Egyptian, a Gentile, as his wife, Joseph typifies Christ, who is taking the church from among the Gentiles as His wife during the time that He is being rejected by Israel (cf. note Matt. 1:1^4d).

Meaning making to forget.

Meaning fruitful, or twice fruitful.

Food maintains man’s existence and also brings man satisfaction. The whole earth being under famine signifies that all the nations are struggling to maintain their existence and are dissatisfied. Food could be found only where Joseph was (Gen. 42:5-6), indicating in type that the real life supply and satisfaction can be found only in the church, where Christ is.

Following some ancient versions; the Hebrew text reads, all which was in them.