Job 19:9

KJV

He hath stripped me of my glory, and taken the crown [from] my head.

KJV (with Strong's)

He hath stripped {H6584} me of my glory {H3519}, and taken {H5493} the crown {H5850} from my head {H7218}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He has stripped me of my glory and removed the crown from my head.

Berean Standard Bible

He has stripped me of my honor and removed the crown from my head.

American Standard Version

He hath stripped me of my glory, And taken the crown from my head.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 19:9 profoundly articulates Job's intense despair and overwhelming sense of divine abandonment and public humiliation. In this poignant lament, Job attributes his catastrophic reversal of fortune directly to God, whom he perceives as having actively divested him of his former honor, dignity, and esteemed social standing, vividly symbolized by the forcible removal of a crown from his head. This verse powerfully conveys Job's conviction that his suffering is not merely circumstantial but a deliberate act of divine judgment, leaving him utterly disgraced and bereft of his identity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 19 is a pivotal chapter within Job's third cycle of speeches (chapters 18-21), marking a significant shift in his address from direct arguments with his friends to a more profound and desperate appeal to God and to the future. Having endured the harsh accusations and lack of empathy from Bildad in chapter 18, Job now expresses his ultimate anguish, feeling utterly forsaken by both human companionship and perceived divine favor. This verse immediately follows Job's plea for pity from his friends, whom he accuses of pursuing him like God ([Job 19:6-7](/job/19-6-7 "Job 19:6-7 - Job's Plea and Accusation")), and precedes his lament about his family, servants, and even his wife despising him ([Job 19:13-17](/job/19-13-17 "Job 19:13-17 - Job's Desolation")). The imagery of being "stripped of glory" and having the "crown taken" intensifies his earlier complaints about God's perceived assault upon him (e.g., [Job 16:11-14](/job/16-11-14 "Job 16:11-14 - Job's Complaint of God's Attack")). It serves as a powerful summary of his perceived total degradation, setting the stage for his famous declaration of faith in a Redeemer in [Job 19:25-27](/job/19-25-27 "Job 19:25-27 - Job's Hope in a Redeemer").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern societies, "glory" (כָּבוֹד, *kâbôwd*) and the "crown" (עֲטָרָה, *ʻăṭârâh*) were potent symbols of honor, authority, prosperity, and divine favor. Kings wore crowns as a sign of their sovereignty, priests wore diadems as a mark of their consecrated office, and even respected elders or wealthy individuals might be said to wear a "crown" of honor in their community. To be "stripped of glory" or to have one's "crown taken" was not merely a loss of possessions but a public act of humiliation, a stripping away of identity, status, and all that conferred respect. It implied being deposed, disgraced, and rendered utterly powerless. Job, who was described as "the greatest of all the men of the east" in [Job 1:3](/job/1-3 "Job 1:3 - Job's Initial Prosperity"), a man of immense wealth, influence, and moral integrity ([Job 1:1](/job/1-1 "Job 1:1 - Job's Blameless Character")), now experiences the ultimate reversal of fortune, a fall from the pinnacle of society to the depths of public scorn and personal agony. This cultural understanding amplifies the devastating impact of Job's lament.
* **Key Themes:** Job 19:9 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Book of Job. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Profound Loss and Humiliation**, vividly portraying Job's complete stripping away of status, dignity, and reputation. The "crown" symbolizes not just material wealth but the very essence of his respected identity. Secondly, the verse highlights the theme of **Perceived Divine Agency in Suffering**. Job firmly believes that God is the direct cause of his calamities, a perception that reflects his raw, honest wrestling with the apparent injustice of his situation. This is a central tension in the book: how can a righteous God allow such suffering to befall a righteous man? Job's unwavering conviction that "He" (God) is responsible, despite his own integrity, drives much of his lament and theological struggle throughout the book, as seen in his earlier complaints (e.g., [Job 10:3](/job/10-3 "Job 10:3 - Job's Questioning of God's Actions")). Finally, this lament emphasizes Job's deep sense of **Isolation and Despair**. Stripped of his external markers of worth and abandoned by those closest to him ([Job 19:13-19](/job/19-13-19 "Job 19:13-19 - Job's Desolation")), Job feels utterly alone, his identity shattered, leading to profound psychological and spiritual anguish.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Stripped (Hebrew, _pâshaṭ'_):** From H6584, this primitive root means "to spread out" (as in hostile array) and, by analogy, "to strip" (i.e., unclothe, plunder, flay). Here, its application to "glory" emphasizes a forceful, complete, and humiliating removal, as if Job's dignity was a garment forcibly torn from him. It suggests an act of public shaming and exposure, leaving him vulnerable and defenseless.
* **Glory (Hebrew, _kâbôwd'_):** From H3519, this multifaceted Hebrew term properly means "weight," but figuratively refers to splendor, copiousness, honor, and dignity. It denotes the sum total of Job's standing in the community, his good name, his influence, and the esteem in which he was held. The stripping of *kâbôwd* signifies not just a loss of possessions but a profound existential crisis, where the very essence of his public and personal worth has been annihilated.
* **Crown (Hebrew, _ʻăṭârâh'_):** From H5850, this noun refers to a crown or diadem. While literally referring to a physical crown worn by kings or priests, *ʻăṭârâh* here functions as a powerful metaphor for Job's preeminent status, authority, and distinction. Its removal signifies a complete dethronement, a public degradation from a position of honor and power to one of utter disgrace and powerlessness. It implies that Job has been stripped of his "consecration" or special standing, as if God himself has revoked his anointing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He hath stripped me of my glory,"**: Job attributes his profound loss of honor, dignity, and public standing directly to God ("He"). This is not merely a passive misfortune but an active, deliberate act of divestment. The imagery suggests a forceful and humiliating removal, as if his very essence of worth has been torn away, leaving him exposed and shamed. This clause speaks to the internal and external loss of his esteemed reputation.
* **"and taken the crown [from] my head."**: This parallel clause reinforces and intensifies the previous one. The "crown" is a potent symbol of authority, sovereignty, and preeminence. Its removal signifies a complete dethronement, a public deposition from his high social and moral position. This is a visible, undeniable sign of his utter degradation, implying that his leadership, influence, and even his very identity as a respected patriarch have been brutally revoked by divine hand.

#### Literary Devices
Job 19:9 is rich with **Metaphor** and **Symbolism**. The "glory" and "crown" are not literal objects Job possessed but powerful metaphorical representations of his honor, dignity, authority, and esteemed social standing. The act of being "stripped" and having the "crown taken" is a vivid **Metaphor** for the complete and humiliating loss of his former identity and status. The verse also employs **Parallelism**, where the two clauses ("stripped me of my glory" and "taken the crown from my head") express a similar idea of profound loss and degradation, intensifying the emotional impact through repetition and slight variation. Furthermore, Job's consistent attribution of his suffering to God ("He") highlights the literary device of **Divine Agency**, portraying God as the direct and active orchestrator of his calamities, which is a central theological tension throughout the book. The language also borders on **Hyperbole** in its emotional intensity, reflecting Job's extreme distress and his perception of his suffering as absolute and unparalleled.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 19:9 stands as a stark testament to the human experience of profound loss and the theological struggle with divine sovereignty in suffering. Job's perception that God has actively stripped him of his glory and crown raises fundamental questions about divine justice, the nature of suffering, and the source of human dignity. It forces us to confront the reality that trials can strip away not just material possessions but also one's reputation, social standing, and sense of self-worth. Yet, even in this raw lament, Job's unwavering conviction that God is the agent, however perceived as hostile, underscores his deep, albeit wrestling, faith. This verse sets the stage for Job's ultimate declaration of hope in a Redeemer, suggesting that true dignity and vindication must ultimately come from a source beyond earthly circumstances.

* [Job 1:21](/job/1-21 "Job's Initial Response to Loss")
* [Psalm 8:5](/psalms/8-5 "Psalm 8:5 - Man Crowned with Glory and Honor")
* [Lamentations 5:16](/lamentations/5-16 "Lamentations 5:16 - The Crown Has Fallen from Our Head")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job's lament in 19:9 offers a profound mirror for human experience, particularly in moments of deep loss and perceived injustice. It reminds us that suffering often extends beyond physical pain or material deprivation to a profound assault on one's identity, dignity, and social standing. When our "glory" – our reputation, achievements, or even our health – is stripped away, and our "crown" – our position, influence, or sense of control – is taken, we can experience a crisis of self, feeling exposed and humiliated. Job's raw honesty in attributing his suffering to God, even while maintaining his integrity, models an authentic form of lament that acknowledges the perceived harshness of divine providence without necessarily abandoning faith. This verse challenges us to consider where we place our ultimate identity and worth: is it in external markers of success and honor, or in an unshakeable relationship with God that transcends all earthly circumstances? It invites us to cultivate empathy for those who have experienced such profound degradation and to remember that true worth is not derived from what can be stripped away.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I tie my sense of "glory" or "crown" (my identity, worth, or significance) to external factors like reputation, achievements, or social status?**
* **How do I respond when circumstances or others strip away my dignity or challenge my perceived standing?**
* **What does Job's honest lament, even his accusation against God, teach me about expressing my pain and confusion in times of suffering?**
* **Where do I find my ultimate source of honor and identity that cannot be taken away by any earthly power or circumstance?**

### FAQ

**Does Job truly believe God is his enemy in this verse?**

Answer: In [Job 19:9](/job/19-9 "Job 19:9 - Job's Lament of Stripped Glory"), Job certainly perceives God as the active agent of his suffering and humiliation. He feels that God has "stripped" him and "taken" his crown, indicating a direct, intentional, and hostile action. While Job never fully abandons his belief in God's ultimate sovereignty, his language here reflects a deep sense of betrayal and a conviction that God has turned against him, treating him as an enemy. This perception of divine hostility is a recurring theme in Job's laments, highlighting the intense psychological and spiritual agony of a righteous man wrestling with inexplicable suffering at the hand of a just God. It's not a detached theological statement about God's nature, but a raw expression of Job's experience and perception in the midst of his overwhelming pain.

**What does the "crown" symbolize in this context beyond just royalty?**

Answer: While a crown often symbolizes royalty, in the context of [Job 19:9](/job/19-9 "Job 19:9 - Job's Lament of Stripped Glory"), the "crown" (Hebrew: *ʻăṭârâh'*) extends beyond literal kingship to represent Job's entire esteemed position and dignity within his community. It encompasses his authority as a patriarch, his reputation for wisdom and righteousness, his prosperity, and the respect he commanded. In ancient cultures, a crown or diadem could signify not only royal power but also priestly consecration or the honor bestowed upon a highly respected individual. Its removal, therefore, symbolizes a complete and public stripping away of all that gave Job honor, influence, and a sense of identity, leaving him utterly disgraced and powerless. It's a metaphor for the total loss of his public persona and the respect he once enjoyed, as described in [Job 29](/job/29 "Job 29 - Job's Remembrance of Past Glory").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's lament in [Job 19:9](/job/19-9 "Job 19:9 - Job's Lament of Stripped Glory"), where he feels stripped of his glory and has his crown taken, finds its profoundest echo and ultimate transformation in the person of Jesus Christ. While Job was a righteous man stripped of his glory and crown through no fault of his own (from his perspective), Jesus, the perfectly righteous Son of God, willingly emptied Himself of His divine glory and heavenly crown. The Apostle Paul describes this profound act of self-humiliation, stating that Christ "made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humiliation")). Instead of an earthly crown of honor, Jesus was mockingly crowned with thorns ([Matthew 27:29](/matthew/27-29 "Matthew 27:29 - Jesus Crowned with Thorns")), a symbol of ultimate shame and suffering, as He bore the curse of humanity. He was stripped not only of His garments but of His very dignity on the cross, experiencing profound isolation and the perceived abandonment of God ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")). Yet, unlike Job, whose restoration came after a period of intense suffering, Christ's humiliation was the direct path to His exaltation. Because He endured the stripping of His glory and the taking of His crown, God "highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name" ([Philippians 2:9](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9 - Christ's Exaltation")). He is now crowned with glory and honor ([Hebrews 2:9](/hebrews/2-9 "Hebrews 2:9 - Jesus Crowned with Glory and Honor")), and will return with "many crowns" ([Revelation 19:12](/revelation/19-12 "Revelation 19:12 - Christ's Many Crowns")), having triumphed over sin and death. Thus, Job's cry of loss foreshadows the ultimate, redemptive humiliation of Christ, through whom all who trust in Him can find their true glory and an imperishable crown ([1 Peter 5:4](/1_peter/5-4 "1 Peter 5:4 - The Crown of Glory")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 89:44

Thou hast made his glory to cease, and cast his throne down to the ground.

Job 29:7

¶ When I went out to the gate through the city, [when] I prepared my seat in the street!

Job 29:14

I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment [was] as a robe and a diadem.

Psalms 89:39

Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant: thou hast profaned his crown [by casting it] to the ground.

Lamentations 5:16

The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned!

Job 29:20

My glory [was] fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand.

Job 29:21

Unto me [men] gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel.