Job 42:14

KJV

And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Kerenhappuch.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he called {H7121} the name {H8034} of the first {H259}, Jemima {H3224}; and the name {H8034} of the second {H8145}, Kezia {H7103}; and the name {H8034} of the third {H7992}, Kerenhappuch {H7163}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The first he named Y'mimah; the second, K'tzi'ah; and the third, Keren-Hapukh.

Berean Standard Bible

He named his first daughter Jemimah, his second Keziah, and his third Keren-happuch.

American Standard Version

And he called the name of the first, Jemimah; and the name of the second, Keziah; and the name of the third, Keren-happuch.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 42:14 records the names of the three daughters born to Job after his period of profound suffering and subsequent divine restoration. This verse, a poignant detail in the narrative of Job's renewed life, underscores the comprehensive nature of God's blessing, which extends beyond material prosperity to encompass the precious gifts of family, beauty, and a renewed sense of dignity and hope, symbolizing a complete and gracious new beginning.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the triumphant climax of the Book of Job, immediately following Job's humble repentance before God and God's subsequent rebuke of Job's friends. After Job intercedes for his friends and offers sacrifices as commanded by the Lord, the narrative pivots dramatically from suffering to restoration. [Job 42:10](/job/42-10 "Job 42:10 - The Lord Restores Job's Fortunes") explicitly states that "the Lord turned the captivity of Job," initiating a period of unparalleled blessing. This verse, specifically naming the daughters, follows the general statement in [Job 42:12](/job/42-12 "Job 42:12 - Job's Double Blessing") that "the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning," detailing the specific increase in his livestock and the birth of seven sons and three daughters. The naming of the daughters, uniquely specified unlike the sons, sets the stage for the subsequent verse, [Job 42:15](/job/42-15 "Job 42:15 - The Beauty and Inheritance of Job's Daughters"), which highlights their extraordinary beauty and their unprecedented inheritance among their brothers, further emphasizing the depth of Job's restoration.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern patriarchal societies, the naming of children, especially daughters, was significant but often less emphasized in biblical texts than the naming of sons who carried on the family lineage. However, the explicit naming of Job's daughters here, along with the description of their beauty and their right to an inheritance alongside their brothers (a highly unusual practice for the time, as seen in [Numbers 27:1-11](/numbers/27-1 "Numbers 27:1-11 - The Daughters of Zelophehad")), highlights a unique divine favor upon Job's restored family. The names themselves, as explored in the exposition, reflect valuable commodities and desirable qualities in the ancient world, such as precious spices and cosmetics, indicating a return to prosperity, beauty, and honor after a period of profound desolation. The cultural emphasis on lineage and family continuation, severely threatened by the loss of Job's first set of children, is here gloriously re-established, signifying a complete reversal of his fortunes.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Book of Job. Primarily, it underscores the theme of **Divine Restoration**, demonstrating God's ability to not only reverse suffering but to bring about a state even better than before. This is not merely a return to the status quo but a profound **New Beginning**, symbolizing a fresh chapter filled with grace, peace, and renewed life after unimaginable loss. The specific naming of the daughters, coupled with the description of their beauty and unique inheritance in [Job 42:15](/job/42-15 "Job 42:15 - The Beauty and Inheritance of Job's Daughters"), also highlights God's **Sovereignty and Personal Care**, showing that His blessings are not generic but deeply personal and tailored to Job's specific losses. Furthermore, it subtly introduces the theme of **Beauty and Value**, contrasting the ashes and despair Job endured with the pleasantness, fragrance, and allure embodied in his daughters' names, suggesting that God's restoration encompasses both tangible and intangible blessings, including joy and dignity. This comprehensive restoration aligns with God's ultimate plans for His people, as expressed in [Jeremiah 29:11](/jeremiah/29-11 "Jeremiah 29:11 - God's Plans for Hope and a Future"), to give them a future and a hope.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jemima (יְמִימָה, _Yemimah'_):** This name means "dove" or "little dove." In biblical symbolism, the dove frequently represents purity, peace, innocence, and new beginnings (e.g., the dove returning to Noah with an olive branch in [Genesis 8:11](/genesis/8-11 "Genesis 8:11 - The Dove Returns to Noah")). After Job's tumultuous experience, the name Jemima suggests a return to tranquility, a gentle spirit, and the dawn of a peaceful new era, contrasting sharply with the chaos and suffering that preceded it.
* **Kezia (קְצִיעָה, _Ketzi'ah'_):** This name refers to "cassia," a fragrant spice derived from the bark of a tree, similar to cinnamon. Cassia was highly valued in ancient times for its pleasant aroma, medicinal properties, and use in anointing oils (e.g., [Psalm 45:8](/psalms/45-8 "Psalm 45:8 - Royal Garments Fragrant with Myrrh, Aloes, and Cassia")). The name Kezia evokes pleasantness, sweetness, and value, perhaps symbolizing a life filled with grace, a sweet disposition, or the restoration of Job's reputation to one of pleasantness and high regard.
* **Kerenhappuch (קֶרֶן הַפּוּךְ, _Keren Happuch'_):** This most evocative name translates to "horn of antimony" or "horn of kohl/eyeliner." Antimony (or kohl) was a black mineral used as a cosmetic for enhancing the eyes, particularly for women, in the ancient Near East. The "horn" refers to the container in which the cosmetic was kept or perhaps a metaphor for abundance or prominence. This name powerfully symbolizes beauty, allure, and a radiant appearance, highlighting her striking good looks and perhaps the restoration of Job's family's public image from one of disgrace to one of undeniable beauty and honor.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he called the name of the first, Jemima;":** This clause signifies Job's active role in naming his daughters, a paternal right and a sign of his restored authority and joy. The naming of the firstborn daughter, Jemima, immediately sets a tone of peace and purity, signaling the new, tranquil chapter in Job's life after his ordeal.
* **"and the name of the second, Kezia;":** The naming of the second daughter, Kezia, reinforces the theme of pleasantness and value. Her name, associated with fragrant spice, speaks to the richness and sweetness that God has brought back into Job's life, replacing the bitterness and ashes of his suffering.
* **"and the name of the third, Kerenhappuch.":** The naming of the third daughter, Kerenhappuch, culminates the series with a powerful image of beauty and radiance. This name, linked to cosmetics, underscores the complete reversal of Job's fortunes, moving from disfigurement and despair to a state of remarkable beauty and dignity, reflecting God's glorious restoration.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Symbolism** is paramount, as each daughter's name is not merely an identifier but a rich symbol of the qualities restored to Job's life: Jemima (dove) symbolizes peace and purity; Kezia (cassia) symbolizes pleasantness and value; and Kerenhappuch (horn of kohl) symbolizes beauty and radiance. This collective symbolism creates a powerful tableau of complete divine restoration. There is also a strong element of **Contrast** between Job's initial state of suffering, marked by ashes, mourning, and disfigurement, and the beauty, peace, and value embodied in his new daughters. This stark contrast highlights the miraculous nature of God's intervention. Furthermore, the specific naming of the daughters, unlike the sons, can be seen as a form of **Emphasis**, drawing particular attention to the unique and exceptional nature of God's blessing, especially given the cultural context where daughters were often less highlighted in genealogies.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 42:14 serves as a profound testament to God's restorative power and His unwavering faithfulness to those who endure through trials. It illustrates that divine restoration often surpasses the original blessing, not merely replacing what was lost but enhancing it with new dimensions of grace, beauty, and joy. The naming of the daughters, with their symbolic meanings, underscores that God's blessings are holistic, encompassing not just material wealth but also emotional, spiritual, and relational well-being. This passage offers a powerful message of hope, affirming that even in the deepest valleys of despair, God can bring forth new life, beauty, and purpose, transforming sorrow into joy and ashes into splendor.

* [Deuteronomy 8:16](/deuteronomy/8-16 "Deuteronomy 8:16 - God's Testing and Ultimate Blessing")
* [Psalm 30:5](/psalms/30-5 "Psalm 30:5 - Weeping May Endure for a Night, but Joy Comes in the Morning")
* [Isaiah 61:7](/isaiah/61-7 "Isaiah 61:7 - Double Honor for Shame and Confusion")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 42:14 invites us to contemplate the profound nature of God's restoration in our own lives. In a world often marked by loss, grief, and unfulfilled expectations, Job's story stands as a beacon of hope, reminding us that our suffering is never the final word. God is sovereign over all circumstances, and His redemptive plan often involves bringing forth new life and beauty from the ashes of our past. This verse encourages us to trust in God's timing and His boundless capacity to restore, not always in the way we expect, but always for our ultimate good and His glory. It challenges us to look beyond immediate circumstances and embrace the possibility of new beginnings, recognizing that God's greatest blessings may come in forms we initially overlook, such as renewed relationships, inner peace, or a fresh perspective on life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job's ultimate restoration challenge your understanding of suffering and God's sovereignty in difficult times?**
* **What "new beginnings" or areas of restoration might God be preparing for you, even amidst current challenges?**
* **Beyond material blessings, how do you recognize and value the intangible gifts of peace, beauty, and renewed relationships that God might be offering?**

### FAQ
**Why are only the daughters named, and not the sons, in Job 42:14?**

Answer: The text of [Job 42:13](/job/42-13 "Job 42:13 - Job's New Family") states that Job had "seven sons and three daughters" in his restored family. While the sons are mentioned numerically, only the daughters are named in [Job 42:14](/job/42-14 "Job 42:14 - The Names of Job's Daughters"). This is highly significant and likely serves several purposes. Firstly, it highlights the extraordinary beauty of these daughters, as explicitly stated in [Job 42:15](/job/42-15 "Job 42:15 - The Beauty and Inheritance of Job's Daughters"): "in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job." Their exceptional beauty, reflected in their names, becomes a tangible sign of God's complete and glorious restoration. Secondly, [Job 42:15](/job/42-15 "Job 42:15 - The Daughters of Job Receive an Inheritance") also notes that Job "gave them inheritance among their brethren," an extremely rare and culturally progressive act for the time. By naming them, the text emphasizes their individual identity, dignity, and their unique status within the family, underscoring the completeness of Job's blessing, which extended even to his female offspring in an unprecedented way.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The restoration of Job, culminating in the naming of his beautiful daughters, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate and comprehensive restoration found in Jesus Christ. Just as Job's suffering gave way to unparalleled blessing, so too does the suffering and death of Christ lead to the new creation and eternal life for all who believe. The names Jemima (peace), Kezia (pleasantness/value), and Kerenhappuch (beauty/radiance) are more than mere symbols of Job's earthly restoration; they point to the spiritual realities of God's grace in Christ. Through Christ's atoning work, believers receive true peace that surpasses understanding, as promised in [Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God"). We are made pleasing and valuable in God's sight, no longer defined by our sin but by the righteousness of Christ, becoming a "fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" ([Ephesians 5:2](/ephesians/5-2 "Ephesians 5:2 - Christ's Love and Sacrifice")). Furthermore, in Christ, we are transformed into His image, reflecting His glory and spiritual beauty, as we are renewed day by day ([2 Corinthians 3:18](/2_corinthians/3-18 "2 Corinthians 3:18 - Transformed into Christ's Image")). The inheritance granted to Job's daughters, unusual for their time, also prefigures the glorious spiritual inheritance that believers receive in Christ—an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Inheritance Imperishable and Undefiled")). Thus, Job's story of suffering, patience, and ultimate restoration serves as a powerful Old Testament type, finding its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the one who makes all things new ([Revelation 21:5](/revelation/21-5 "Revelation 21:5 - Behold, I Am Making All Things New")).

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.