thirtie yeares old] His age is mentioned to shew that his great prudence proceeded rather of revelation from God, then of experience in the world; and also to note that he suffered imprisonment, and exile twelve yeares and more, that is, foureteene at the most, if when he was sold into Egypt at the seventeenth yeere of his age we reckon the seventeenth but current or new begun, and account this thirtieth not for new begun but for compleat, and ended. On the age of Joseph divers observe that it is an age of ripenesse for publique imployment, for at that age David began his reigne, 2 Samuel 5:4. Ezekiel his Prophesie, Ezekiel 1:1. John Baptist and Christ their Evangelicall ministery, Luke 3:23. the Levites their service in the Tabernacle, Numbers 4:3. which should admonish those that are about that age, or above it, to extend their thoughts beyond their owne particular interests, and to set them on worke, some way to promote the publike good. when he stood] By this phrase in Scripture is understood a serviceable attendance, as Daniel 1:19. 1 Samuel 16:21. as to be ready at hand to receive commands, and to goe presently to put them in execution.