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.

Job’s Submission and Repentance

1
Then Job answered the LORD,
2
“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be restrained. ​
3
You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’ therefore I have uttered that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I didn’t know. ​
4
You said, ‘Listen, now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you will answer me.’
5
I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you. ​
6
Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” ​

God Rebukes Job’s Friends

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It was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you, and against your two friends; for you have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job has. ​
8
Now therefore, take to yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept him, that I not deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job has.” ​
9
So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did what the LORD commanded them, and the LORD accepted Job.

The Lord Restores Job’s Fortunes

10
The LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends. The LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. ​
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Then came there to him all his brothers, and all his sisters, and all those who had been of his acquaintance before, and ate bread with him in his house. They comforted him, and consoled him concerning all the evil that the LORD had brought on him. Everyone also gave him a piece of money, and everyone a ring of gold. ​
12
So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand female donkeys.
13
He had also seven sons and three daughters.
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He called the name of the first, Jemimah; and the name of the second, Keziah; and the name of the third, Keren Happuch. ​
15
In all the land were no women found so beautiful as the daughters of Job. Their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers. ​
16
After this Job lived one hundred forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, to four generations. ​
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So Job died, being old and full of days.

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.

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