It is believed that this medal refers to Clement's relations with his native Florence. In 1527, the Florentines had driven out Clement's cardinal legate and restored the republic. Allied with Charles V, an imperial army laid siege to Florence in the autumn of 1529. After ten months of resistance, the city was forced to capitulate on August 12, 1530, due to disease and famine. After this, a Spanish Medici government took control of the city. The Medici arms which adorn the side of the throne on the reverse of the medal make obvious the interpretation of Clement as Joseph in the scene. Thusly, his brothers are the fraternal citizens of Florence, whom he graciously loves and forgives.

The reverse inscription is taken from Genesis 45:4, Ad quos ille clementer: Accedite, inquit, ad me. Et cum accessissent prope: Ego sum, ait, Joseph, frater vester, quem vendidistis in Aegyptum (And he said mildly to them: Come nearer to me. And when they were come near him, he said: I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into Egypt).