Genesis 41

Joseph as a type of Christ

And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? Genesis 41:38

Pharaoh recognizes Joseph as a man filled with the Spirit of God and chosen to save the land. The Messiah is the one on whom the Spirit of the Lord rests, anointed to save.

How we know: a traditional type, cited

• a type of what is in Isaiah 11:2 — 'The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him' - the Stem of Jesse; Joseph, the man in whom the Spirit of God is, prefigures Him.
• a type of what is in Luke 4:18 — Jesus: 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me.'

Joseph as a type of Christ

Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. Genesis 41:40–44

Rejected and imprisoned, Joseph is raised to be second only to the king, given all authority, and everyone must bow the knee to him. So the Savior, after His suffering, was exalted by the Father, given all power, and every knee shall bow to Him; only the Father is greater.

How we know: a traditional type, cited

• a type of what is in Philippians 2:9-10 — God highly exalted Him, 'that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow.'
• a type of what is in Matthew 28:18 — 'All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.'
• a type of what is in John 14:28 — 'My Father is greater than I' - as only Pharaoh's throne was greater than Joseph.

Joseph as a type of Christ

Zaphnath-paaneah — meaning uncertain; ancient Jewish readers rendered it 'revealer of secrets,' and Jerome's Latin rendered it 'savior of the world.'

And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt. Genesis 41:45

The new name Joseph receives at his exaltation was understood by some ancient readers to mean 'savior of the world,' a title the Samaritans later gave to Jesus. The etymology is disputed, so this is a soft witness.

How we know: a traditional type, cited

• the same title in John 4:42 — 'This is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.'

Joseph as a type of Christ

And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. Genesis 41:46

Joseph begins his saving work at thirty, the same age at which Jesus began His public ministry.

How we know: a traditional type, cited

• a type of what is in Luke 3:23 — 'Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age.'

Joseph as a type of Christ

And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. Genesis 41:54–57

When the whole world is starving, the only bread is with Joseph, and the king sends everyone to him: 'what he saith to you, do.' Jesus is the Bread of Life for all nations, and Mary told the servants at Cana almost the same words about Him.

How we know: a traditional type, cited

• alluded to by John 2:5 — Mary: 'Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it' - nearly Pharaoh's words about Joseph.
• a type of what is in John 6:35 — 'I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger.'