Job 42:15

KJV

And in all the land were no women found [so] fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren.

KJV (with Strong's)

And in all the land {H776} were no women {H802} found {H4672} so fair {H3303} as the daughters {H1323} of Job {H347}: and their father {H1} gave {H5414} them inheritance {H5159} among {H8432} their brethren {H251}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Nowhere in the land could women be found as beautiful as Iyov's daughters; and their father gave them inheritances along with their brothers.

Berean Standard Bible

No women as beautiful as Job’s daughters could be found in all the land, and their father granted them an inheritance among their brothers.

American Standard Version

And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 42:15 serves as a poignant capstone to the narrative of Job's restoration, illustrating the extraordinary nature of God's blessing after a period of profound suffering. This verse highlights the unparalleled beauty of Job's newly given daughters and, even more remarkably, their father's unprecedented decision to grant them an inheritance alongside their brothers. It underscores not only the lavishness of divine recompense but also Job's transformed character, which now reflects a profound sense of equity and justice, challenging the cultural norms of his time.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse appears at the triumphant conclusion of the Book of Job, immediately following God's direct confrontation with Job and Job's subsequent repentance and submission to divine wisdom, as seen in [Job 42:6](/job/42-6 "Job 42:6 - Job's Repentance"). The preceding verses detail God's turning of Job's captivity and the doubling of his former possessions, a divine act of restoration described in [Job 42:10](/job/42-10 "Job 42:10 - God Restores Job"). The birth of seven sons and three daughters is explicitly mentioned as part of this comprehensive renewal in [Job 42:13](/job/42-13 "Job 42:13 - Job's New Family"). Thus, Job 42:15 functions as the narrative's climax regarding Job's familial restoration, emphasizing the exceptional quality and status of his new children, particularly his daughters, as a testament to God's overflowing grace and Job's renewed standing.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, including early Israelite society, inheritance was almost exclusively patrilineal, passing from father to son. Daughters typically did not inherit land or significant property unless there were no sons, as later codified in the Mosaic Law concerning [Zelophehad's daughters in Numbers 27:7](/numbers/27-7 "Numbers 27:7 - Inheritance for Daughters"). Job's decision to grant his daughters an inheritance *among their brethren* (i.e., alongside his sons) was therefore highly unusual, progressive, and counter-cultural for his time. This act speaks volumes about Job's character, his deep love and respect for his daughters, and perhaps the profound impact of his encounter with God, leading him to an enlightened understanding of justice and equity that transcended prevailing social norms. It ensured their security, status, and dignity in a society where women's economic independence was rare.

* **Key Themes:** Job 42:15 powerfully encapsulates several key themes central to the Book of Job. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Restoration and Abundance**, demonstrating that God's recompense for suffering is not merely a return to the former state but an elevation to an even greater level of blessing, exceeding human expectation. Secondly, the **Exceptional Beauty** of the daughters symbolizes the completeness and extraordinary nature of God's favor, a visible manifestation of the new glory Job experiences. Thirdly, and most significantly, Job's act of granting his daughters **Progressive Inheritance** underscores the theme of **Justice and Equity**. This unprecedented decision showcases Job's righteousness and transformed wisdom, reflecting a divine influence that challenges societal biases and upholds the inherent worth of all individuals, regardless of gender. It speaks to God's capacity to inspire acts of profound fairness and generosity, even in the absence of explicit legal precedent.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fair (Hebrew, _yapheh'_):** This term (יָפֶה) describes not merely physical attractiveness but also pleasantness, goodness, or suitability. In this context, it signifies an ideal, superlative beauty that is divinely bestowed and indicative of favor. It emphasizes the extraordinary nature of God's blessing upon Job's new family, contrasting sharply with the desolation and loss he previously experienced. The daughters' beauty becomes a visible sign of God's complete and glorious restoration.
* **Inheritance (Hebrew, _nachalah'_):** The word (נַחֲלָה) refers to an allotted possession, typically land or property, passed down through generations, signifying a secure and permanent holding. Job's act of giving his daughters this _nachalah_ alongside their brothers is revolutionary. It grants them economic security, social standing, and a share in the family legacy, something almost unheard of for daughters in ancient patriarchal societies, especially when sons were present. This act underscores Job's profound righteousness and generosity, reflecting a divine wisdom that values all his children equally.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And in all the land were no women found [so] fair as the daughters of Job":** This clause emphasizes the superlative beauty of Job's three new daughters (Jemimah, Keziah, and Keren-happuch, mentioned in the preceding verse, [Job 42:14](/job/42-14 "Job 42:14 - Names of Job's Daughters")). The hyperbolic language ("no women found so fair") serves to highlight the extraordinary nature of God's blessing and the completeness of Job's restoration. It signifies that the new family God gave Job was not just a replacement but an elevation, a manifestation of divine favor and an abundance that surpassed his previous state. Their beauty is a symbol of the flourishing and honor that God bestowed upon Job after his suffering.
* **"and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren":** This second clause describes an act of profound significance and radical equity. In a culture where inheritance was almost exclusively patrilineal, Job's decision to grant his daughters a share of the family inheritance alongside his sons was highly unusual and progressive. This act demonstrates Job's deep love, respect, and concern for the well-being and security of his daughters. It also reflects a transformed understanding of justice and family, possibly inspired by his direct encounter with God, setting a powerful precedent for valuing all children equally and ensuring their economic and social standing, regardless of gender.

#### Literary Devices
Job 42:15 employs several potent **Literary Devices** to convey its message. **Hyperbole** is evident in the declaration that "in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job." This exaggeration is not meant to be taken literally but serves to emphasize the extraordinary and unparalleled nature of God's blessing upon Job, highlighting the completeness and lavishness of his restoration. The daughters' exceptional beauty functions as **Symbolism**, representing the new glory, honor, and flourishing that Job experiences after his period of intense suffering. It contrasts sharply with the desolation and loss that characterized his earlier trials. Furthermore, Job's act of granting his daughters an inheritance alongside their brothers is a powerful symbolic act of **Equity and Justice**, challenging the patriarchal norms of the time. This decision reflects a profound moral transformation in Job, possibly influenced by his direct encounter with divine wisdom, and serves as a model for righteous conduct that transcends conventional societal expectations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 42:15 stands as a profound testament to God's sovereign power to restore and bless beyond human comprehension. It illustrates that divine recompense for suffering is often not merely a return to a former state but an elevation to a new level of abundance and honor. The verse underscores God's justice, not only in vindicating Job but also in inspiring him to act justly and equitably within his own household, challenging the prevailing social norms of his day. This act of granting inheritance to daughters, unprecedented for its time, reflects a divine principle of valuing all individuals and ensuring their security and dignity, a principle that transcends cultural biases and points to God's desire for holistic well-being for His people. It reminds us that God's plans for His faithful servants are ultimately for good, marked by generosity and grace.

* [Jeremiah 29:11](/jeremiah/29-11 "Jeremiah 29:11 - God's Plans for Hope")
* [Isaiah 61:7](/isaiah/61-7 "Isaiah 61:7 - Double for Your Shame")
* [Ephesians 3:20](/ephesians/3-20 "Ephesians 3:20 - God's Abundant Power")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 42:15 offers a powerful message of hope and encouragement for all who endure suffering. It reminds us that even after the deepest trials and losses, God possesses the power and the will to restore, and often, to bless us in ways that exceed our previous experiences or even our wildest imaginations. Job's story culminates not just in material gain, but in the restoration of family and the demonstration of a profound, divinely-inspired righteousness that challenges societal norms. This challenges us to consider how we might reflect God's character in our own lives, particularly in valuing and empowering those whom society might overlook or marginalize. Job's radical act of granting his daughters an inheritance alongside his sons serves as a timeless example of living out a faith that prioritizes fairness, dignity, and love for all, inspiring us to dismantle biases and ensure equity within our own spheres of influence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job's experience of restoration, particularly the unique blessings of his daughters, challenge your understanding of God's goodness and generosity in the midst of suffering?**
* **In what ways might we, like Job, be called to act counter-culturally to uphold principles of fairness, equity, and the inherent worth of all individuals, regardless of societal norms?**
* **Beyond material wealth, what "inheritance" – whether spiritual, relational, or societal – might God be calling you to steward or share generously with others, especially those who might otherwise be overlooked?**

### FAQ
**Why is the daughters' beauty highlighted so prominently in this verse?**

Answer: The emphasis on the unparalleled beauty of Job's daughters serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it symbolizes the completeness and extraordinary nature of God's restoration. After Job's profound losses, including the death of his original children, the beauty of his new daughters signifies not merely a return to normalcy but an elevation, a visible manifestation of divine favor and flourishing. It contrasts sharply with the desolation he experienced, underscoring that God's blessings are often abundant and exceed expectations. Secondly, in a patriarchal society, highlighting the daughters' beauty could also signify their honor and value, contributing to the overall picture of Job's restored status and legacy. It's a testament to the fact that God's blessing touches every aspect of Job's life, including the aesthetic and relational.

**Was Job's decision to grant his daughters an inheritance truly unique for his time?**

Answer: Yes, Job's decision was highly unusual and progressive for the ancient Near Eastern cultural context. In most patriarchal societies of that era, including early Israelite society, inheritance typically passed exclusively through sons. Daughters generally did not receive a direct share of property or land, especially when sons were present. While the Mosaic Law later made provisions for daughters to inherit in specific circumstances (e.g., in the absence of sons, as seen with [Zelophehad's daughters in Numbers 27:7](/numbers/27-7 "Numbers 27:7 - Inheritance for Daughters")), Job's proactive decision to grant his daughters an inheritance *alongside their brothers* (even though he had seven sons) demonstrates a remarkable act of equity and generosity. This highlights Job's exceptional righteousness, his deep love for his daughters, and potentially the profound influence of his encounter with God, leading him to an enlightened understanding of justice that transcended prevailing societal norms. It secured their status and well-being in a way that was revolutionary for his time.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 42:15, with its depiction of extraordinary restoration and a radical act of inheritance, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and more profound restoration found in Jesus Christ. Job's suffering, though intense, pales in comparison to the ultimate suffering of the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") on the cross, as described in passages like [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Christ's Suffering"). Just as Job's desolation was transformed into a state of unparalleled blessing, so too through Christ's death and resurrection, believers are transformed from spiritual death to new life, becoming a [new creation in Christ](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ"). The exceptional beauty of Job's daughters and their unprecedented inheritance point to the spiritual inheritance that all believers receive through faith in Christ. In Him, there is no longer Jew or Gentile, male or female, but all are [one in Christ Jesus](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - Unity in Christ"), becoming [heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ"). The lavishness of Job's blessing, exceeding all expectations, mirrors the "unsearchable riches of Christ" ([Ephesians 3:8](/ephesians/3-8 "Ephesians 3:8 - Unsearchable Riches of Christ")) and God's power to do [exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think](/ephesians/3-20 "Ephesians 3:20 - God's Abundant Power"). Thus, Job's restoration serves as a vivid Old Testament picture of the comprehensive and glorious redemption and inheritance that is fully realized in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

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

Numbers 27:7

The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them.

Psalms 144:12

That our sons [may be] as plants grown up in their youth; [that] our daughters [may be] as corner stones, polished [after] the similitude of a palace:

Acts 7:20

In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months:

Joshua 18:4

Give out from among you three men for [each] tribe: and I will send them, and they shall rise, and go through the land, and describe it according to the inheritance of them; and they shall come [again] to me.

Joshua 15:18

And it came to pass, as she came [unto him], that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted off [her] ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wouldest thou?

Joshua 15:19

Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs.