The Gold of Valor or Gold of Honor was an ancient Egyptian award, usually in the form of a large gold necklace. It was given to those who performed exceptional service to the pharaoh and the nation. The practice goes back to before 1600 BC during the Second Intermediate Period, around the lifetime of Joseph.
For example, the Egyptian pharaohs Kamose and Ahmose I awarded the Gold of Valor necklace to Queen Ahhotep for her wartime support in the war against the Hyksos in the 16th century BC, and was bestowed twice on the military official Ahmose son of Ebana for his exceptional service in battles for the pharaoh.
This Egyptian custom was in use in northern Egypt at the time when Joseph lived and served in the royal court. The tomb of Horemheb at Saqqara contains a stone relief depicting him receiving the Gold of Valor for his exceptional service as commander of the army.
After Joseph interpreted the pharaoh’s dream about a future famine and advised the king to stockpile 20 percent of their produce during the good years and store it under guard for the coming years of famine, Genesis 41:42 records that the pharaoh awarded Joseph the “gold necklace” or Gold of Valor for wisdom that would save Egypt.
