Joseph was thirty years old … Egypt: according to 37.2 Joseph was seventeen years old when he came into conflict with his brothers. If he was sold into Egypt at that age, he had by this time been in Egypt approximately thirteen years.

Entered the service of Pharaoh is literally “stood before Pharaoh.” Most translators understand this expression as in Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. We may also translate, for example, “when the king made him the ruler.”

Went out from the presence of Pharaoh: that is, “left the king’s palace” or “left the king and went….”

Went through all the land of Egypt: the sense here is that Joseph made a royal tour to inspect the country. It is a symbolic trip in which the young ruler “takes possession” of his territory. In a somewhat similar manner Abraham was instructed by the LORD in 13.17 to walk through the length and breadth of the land that was promised to him.

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 .