Genesis — Chapter 41

AND PHARAOH SENDING, CALLED JOSEPH: AND THEY BROUGHT HIM OUT OF PRISON. — Joseph's exaltation from prison to viceroy of Egypt: the most complete type of Christ's humiliation and exaltation in all the Old Testament. From the pit (Gen. 37:24) to prison to the right hand of Pharaoh — as Christ descended into the womb (the \"prison\" of mortality), was crucified (\"buried\"), and rose to sit at the right hand of the Father. Pharaoh gives Joseph his own ring (authority), a fine linen robe, and a gold chain, and sets him over all Egypt.

PHARAOH SAID TO JOSEPH: BEHOLD, I HAVE APPOINTED THEE OVER ALL THE LAND OF EGYPT. — Seven parallels between Joseph exalted and Christ exalted (Lapide develops these): (1) Both exalted by the supreme king; (2) both invested with universal authority; (3) both feed a starving world; (4) both receive homage from all peoples; (5) both forgive those who harmed them; (6) both gather the scattered and lost; (7) both names given by the sovereign king — Joseph's new name \"Zaphenath-paneah\" = \"revealer of hidden things\" (= \"God speaks and lives\") = Christ, the Word of God. Note: Joseph was 30 years old when exalted (Gen. 41:46) — the same age as Christ at the beginning of His public ministry.