Job42

Job acknowledges God's omnipotence and repents for his presumptuous words. The LORD then rebukes Job's friends for their incorrect speech and commands them to seek Job's intercession through a burnt offering. Subsequently, the LORD restores Job's fortunes, doubling his possessions and blessing him with new children and a long life.
Listen to this chapter
0:00 0:00

Job’s Submission and Repentance

1
Then Job replied to the LORD:
2
“I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted. ​
3
You asked, ‘Who is this who conceals My counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. ​
4
You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak. I will question you, and you shall inform Me.’
5
My ears had heard of You, but now my eyes have seen You. ​
6
Therefore I retract my words, and I repent in dust and ashes.” ​

God Rebukes Job’s Friends

7
After the LORD had spoken these words to Job, He said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you and your two friends. For you have not spoken about Me accurately, as My servant Job has. ​
8
So now, take seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. Then My servant Job will pray for you, for I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken accurately about Me, as My servant Job has.” ​
9
So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the LORD had told them; and the LORD accepted Job’s request.

The Lord Restores Job’s Fortunes

10
After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his prosperity and doubled his former possessions. ​
11
All his brothers and sisters and prior acquaintances came and dined with him in his house. They consoled him and comforted him over all the adversity that the LORD had brought upon him. And each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring. ​
12
So the LORD blessed Job’s latter days more than his first. He owned 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys.
13
And he also had seven sons and three daughters.
14
He named his first daughter Jemimah, his second Keziah, and his third Keren-happuch. ​
15
No women as beautiful as Job’s daughters could be found in all the land, and their father granted them an inheritance among their brothers. ​
16
After this, Job lived 140 years and saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. ​
17
And so Job died, old and full of years.

Study Notes for Job 42

Verse 2

Job begins his final response by acknowledging God’s absolute sovereignty and omnipotence. This confession contrasts sharply with his earlier attempts to challenge God's management of the world.

Verse 3

Job echoes God’s challenge from 38:2, admitting that he was the ignorant person who spoke without true knowledge. This is the explicit retraction of his previous demands for an explanation or justification from God.

Verse 5

This verse marks the climax of Job’s spiritual journey. The shift from 'hearing of the ear' (secondary knowledge or theological tradition) to 'now mine eye sees' (direct, personal encounter with God) brings about profound transformation.

Verse 6

Job's self-loathing and repentance flow directly from his overwhelming experience of God’s majesty. Repenting 'in dust and ashes' signifies deep humility, mourning, and complete submission to divine wisdom.

Verse 7

God formally rejects the friends' rigid retribution theology, which insisted that Job's suffering must be due to hidden sin. By stating that Job 'hath' spoken the thing that is right, God vindicates Job’s honesty and his refusal to accept false piety.

Verse 8

The friends are required to make a substantial sacrifice (seven bullocks and seven rams) for atonement. Crucially, Job must act as their intercessor, highlighting his restored righteous status and establishing him as a mediator.

Verse 10

The phrase 'turned the captivity' signifies a reversal of fortune and restoration. This blessing occurs specifically after Job fulfills his role as intercessor for his friends, suggesting that selfless obedience completes his ordeal.

Verse 11

The return of Job's family and acquaintances symbolizes reconciliation and reaffirms his acceptance back into community life. The gifts provided help Job restart his economic life following the complete loss of his wealth.

Verse 14

The names of the daughters are evocative: Jemima ('dove'), Kezia ('cinnamon'), and Kerenhappuch ('horn of cosmetic paint'). These names likely symbolize the return of beauty, fragrance, and honor to Job’s life.

Verse 15

The unique mention of the daughters’ fairness and their receiving an inheritance alongside their brothers indicates the extraordinary nature of Job’s restoration and the high value placed on his female descendants.

Verse 16

Living 140 years (double the typical lifespan) and seeing four generations is the culmination of God's blessing, completing the restoration motif by granting Job a full and prosperous life.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options