Job 42

This closing chapter contains Job’s confession (2-6); the Divine decision against his friends, and Job’s intercession for them (7-9); and his own restored prosperity (10-16).

3. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? This is quoted from the words of Jehovah in xxxviii. 2 (as ver. 4 is from xxxviii. 3; xl. 7); Job thus acknowledging the truth of the charges. The language of contrite confession in reply contrasts beautifully with the authoritative tone of the quotations themselves, and as strikingly with the presumptuous manner in which Job had formerly spoken of God.

6. Wherefore I abhor myself. Or, “Therefore do I retract,” viz., my former words. The work of the new birth is now complete. After this, there is “no condemnation.” “Out of the trial Job comes, still on God’s side, more on God’s side than ever, with a nobler faith more strongly founded on the rock of truth."—R. A. Watson in Expositor’s Bible.

8. My servant Job shall pray for you. This is a beautiful instance of the duty and acceptableness of intercession for others. It also illustrates the nature of patriarchal worship; and shows that in the earliest ages sacrifice was known to be essential to the acceptableness of prayer: see note on xxxiii. 24. After the charges they had brought against Job, it was an appropriate humiliation to them to be indebted to his prayers.

10 turned the captivity of Job. He restored Job to his former prosperity. The phrase is proverbial for renewed freedom and happiness: see Psa. xiv. 7; cxxvi. 1.

11 a piece of money. Or, hesitah. See note on Gen. xxxiii. 19; Josh. xxiv. 32. The mention of this ancient coinage has been taken as an indication that the life of Job belonged to patriarchal times.

12 the latter end of Job. The double compensation was an outward and visible token of God’s remembrance and love, and of the purpose of His discipline—“the end of the Lord,” Jas. v. 11. The truth would have been the same had Job passed from his dung-hill to the heavenly rest. But it would have been concealed from the world. The great lesson of the history applies to cases in which earthly prosperity does not return.

13 seven sons and three daughters. The flocks and herds are doubled: the number of children is the same as before.

14. Jemima. Meaning, “a dove”; or, according to some, “daylight.”

Kezia. That is, “cassia”; an aromatic bark (Psa. xiv. 8) of most agreeable fragrance.

Keren-happuch. Meaning, “horn of antimony,” or eye-paint; probably on account of her beautiful eyes.

15 gave them inheritance among their brethren. An evidence of Job’s peculiar regard for them, and of his great wealth. Among the Hebrews, the daughter inherited only when there was no son (Numb. xxvii. 8).

16 a hundred and forty years. His age therefore at death must have been nearly 200; further evidence that he belonged to patriarchal times. Terah lived 205 years, Abraham 175, Isaac 180, Jacob 147.

17. So Job died, etc. The Septuagint adds, “It is written that he will rise again with those whom the Lord raiseth.”