Took his signet ring from his hand: that is, “took off his signet ring and put it on Joseph’s finger.” The ring that the king gives to Joseph is, as Good News Translation says, “engraved with the royal seal.” The use of a signet ring was described in connection with Judah in 38.18. In Judah’s case the signet was hung by a cord around his neck. Here the signet is a ring worn on the finger. It was traditional in Egypt for the king’s second in command to be “the keeper of the seal.”

Linen refers to a superior quality cloth woven from the fibers of the flax plant. Linen is cool and has a surface luster. It may be necessary to translate “and the king placed robes of fine linen on him.” In areas where linen is unknown, translators should use a term for the best quality cloth that is known.

Put a gold chain about his neck: in ancient Egypt such chains were given for outstanding service to the king. The chain hangs loosely about the neck and chest.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .