Genesis 41:42

Pharaoh took off his ring... and put it on Joseph's hand.

In this ring was probably the king's signet or seal by which all royal decrees and laws were signed, and giving it to Joseph was making him Lord High Chancellor, the Keeper of the Privy Seal. In Oriental countries still letters are seldom written or signed by those who send them.. secretary writes them and the seal of the person sending them is then affixed.. legal document requires the public seal to become effective. The king's ring with his seal upon it, turned over to Joseph, made all of Joseph's acts those of the king. The delivery of this ring was the formal installation of Joseph into office.

Fine linen.

It must be understood that this was an official dress. According to the customs of Egypt Joseph could not enter upon office without being inducted into the priestly caste, to which even the kings belonged. This caste, the highest in the land, paid the greatest attention to personal cleanliness and in order that pollution upon their garments might show at once were dressed in white linen. Dean Stanley says "Joseph is invested with the gold chain or necklace as with an order, exactly according to the investiture of royal officers as represented in the Theban sculptures. He is represented in the white robe of sacred state that appears in such marked contrast on the tawny figures of ancient priests. He bears the royal ring, such as are still found in the earliest sepulchers. He rides in the royal chariot that is seen so often rolling its solemn way in the monumental processions. Before him goes the cry of some Egyptian,. shout evidently resembling those which now in the streets of Cairo clear the way for any great personage driving through the crowded masses of men and beast."-- History of the Jewish Church.