Job 1:21

And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

And said {H559}, Naked {H6174} came I out {H3318} of my mother's {H517} womb {H990}, and naked {H6174} shall I return {H7725} thither: the LORD {H3068} gave {H5414}, and the LORD {H3068} hath taken away {H3947}; blessed {H1288} be the name {H8034} of the LORD {H3068}.

he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will return there. ADONAI gave; ADONAI took; blessed be the name of ADONAI."

saying: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.”

and he said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: Jehovah gave, and Jehovah hath taken away; blessed be the name of Jehovah.

Job 1:21 captures the profound and resilient response of Job in the face of unimaginable loss. After receiving news of the death of all his children and the destruction of his vast wealth, Job falls to the ground in worship, uttering these powerful words of submission and faith. This verse is a cornerstone of understanding Job's character and the nature of true devotion.

Context

The Book of Job opens by introducing Job as a man "perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil" (Job 1:1). A heavenly dialogue between God and Satan sets the stage, where Satan challenges Job's integrity, suggesting his piety is conditional upon his prosperity. God permits Satan to test Job, stripping him of everything he holds dear. Job 1:21 is Job's immediate, uncoerced reaction to the devastating news, demonstrating his unwavering trust in God even before the deeper theological debates of the book unfold.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty: Job explicitly attributes both the giving and the taking to the LORD, acknowledging God's ultimate authority and control over all circumstances, life, and possessions. This theme is central to the entire book of Job, asserting that God is sovereign over both blessing and adversity. The sentiment echoes the power described in 1 Samuel 2:6, "The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up."
  • Human Mortality and Transience: The phrase "Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither" highlights the universal human condition. We enter the world with nothing and leave with nothing; material possessions are temporary. This profound realization helps Job detach from his earthly losses, recognizing that everything is a temporary gift. This concept is also articulated in Ecclesiastes 5:15.
  • Worship Amidst Suffering: Despite his immense grief, Job's response is not one of anger or despair but of worship: "blessed be the name of the LORD." This demonstrates an extraordinary level of faith and submission, where his relationship with God transcends his circumstances.

Linguistic Insights

  • The word "LORD" (KJV) consistently refers to God's covenant name, Yahweh (YHWH), emphasizing His personal and eternal nature. Job's use of this name signifies a deep, personal relationship with God, not just an abstract deity.
  • The Hebrew word for "blessed" (בָּרַךְ - barak) implies an act of kneeling, praising, or revering. It signifies an acknowledgment of God's inherent worthiness and goodness, regardless of what one is experiencing. Job is not blessing God for the loss, but for who God is.

Practical Application

Job 1:21 offers a powerful model for believers facing adversity. It teaches us to:

  • Acknowledge God's Sovereignty: Even when life's circumstances are painful and incomprehensible, we are called to recognize that God remains in control and has a purpose, though we may not understand it at the moment.
  • Embrace Detachment from Materialism: Understanding that earthly possessions are temporary can help us find freedom from their grip and prevent despair when they are lost.
  • Choose Worship Over Despair: Like Job, we can choose to bless God's name even in our darkest moments. This act of worship is not denial of pain but an affirmation of faith that God is still worthy of praise, and it can be a profound source of strength and comfort. Job's enduring patience is later commended in James 5:11.
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.

  • Ecclesiastes 5:15

    As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.

  • 1 Timothy 6:7

    For we brought nothing into [this] world, [and it is] certain we can carry nothing out.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:18

    In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

  • James 1:17

    Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

  • Job 2:10

    But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

  • Ephesians 5:20

    Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

  • Isaiah 45:7

    I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these [things].
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