Job 1:20

¶ Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

Then Job {H347} arose {H6965}, and rent {H7167} his mantle {H4598}, and shaved {H1494} his head {H7218}, and fell down {H5307} upon the ground {H776}, and worshipped {H7812},

Iyov got up, tore his coat, shaved his head, fell down on the ground and worshipped;

Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped,

Then Job arose, and rent his robe, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped;

Job 1:20 KJV presents a powerful and profound moment in the narrative of Job, showcasing his immediate reaction to the devastating news of losing his children and possessions.

Context

This verse immediately follows a rapid succession of calamitous reports that strip Job of all his worldly wealth and, more tragically, all his ten children (Job 1:13-19). Previously introduced as a man "perfect and upright" (Job 1:1), Job's response here is a critical demonstration of his deep piety and unwavering faith in God amidst unimaginable suffering. It sets the stage for the central theological questions of the book concerning suffering and divine justice.

Key Themes

  • Profound Grief and Mourning: Job's actions of renting his mantle (tearing his outer garment) and shaving his head were customary and deeply symbolic expressions of extreme sorrow and distress in ancient Near Eastern culture. These were not acts of defiance but traditional rites of mourning, signifying the utter devastation he felt.
  • Unwavering Worship in Adversity: Despite the overwhelming pain and loss, Job's ultimate act is to "fell down upon the ground, and worshipped." This is the most striking aspect of the verse. It demonstrates an extraordinary level of faith and submission to God's sovereignty, even when His ways are incomprehensible. Job's worship is not contingent on favorable circumstances.
  • God's Sovereignty: Job's response implicitly acknowledges God's ultimate authority and control over all events, good or bad. His immediate prostration and worship indicate a recognition that even in tragedy, God remains God.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew word for "worshipped" is shachah (שָׁחָה), which literally means "to bow down" or "to prostrate oneself." This physical act signifies deep reverence, humility, and submission. It's more than just a gesture; it represents an internal posture of awe and adoration before a higher power. In Job's case, it highlights his complete surrender to God's will, even in the face of immense personal tragedy.

Reflection and Application

Job 1:20 offers a profound model for believers facing trials. It teaches us that authentic worship is not merely an expression of joy or gratitude during good times, but a deep act of faith and submission during times of profound sorrow and confusion. Job's response challenges us to consider our own reactions to suffering: do we curse God, or do we, like Job, choose to worship Him, acknowledging His sovereignty and trusting His character even when we don't understand His plan? This verse prepares us for Job's famous declaration in the next verse, where he proclaims, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Peter 5:6

    Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

  • 2 Samuel 12:16

    David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.

  • 2 Samuel 12:20

    Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed [himself], and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.

  • Genesis 37:34

    And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.

  • Genesis 37:29

    And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph [was] not in the pit; and he rent his clothes.

  • Ezra 9:3

    And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down astonied.

  • Deuteronomy 9:18

    And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

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