Job 1 20

Job 1:20 kjv

Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

Job 1:20 nkjv

Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped.

Job 1:20 niv

At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship

Job 1:20 esv

Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped.

Job 1:20 nlt

Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship.

Job 1 verses

Job 1 20 Meaning

Job 1:20 describes Job's immediate and profound reaction to the devastating news of losing all his possessions and, most tragically, all his children. Despite experiencing overwhelming grief, despair, and humiliation, he does not respond with anger or blasphemy towards God. Instead, his deep sorrow leads him to extreme acts of traditional mourning—tearing his clothes and shaving his head—before ultimately falling to the ground in an act of worship. This verse portrays a remarkable demonstration of Job's unwavering faith and submission to God's sovereignty even in the face of incomprehensible suffering, challenging the notion that piety is conditional on prosperity.

Job 1 20 Context

Job 1:20 immediately follows a rapid succession of four separate messengers delivering increasingly catastrophic news to Job. First, his oxen and donkeys are stolen, and servants killed by Sabeans. Second, fire from God consumes his sheep and more servants. Third, Chaldeans raid his camels and kill more servants. Finally, the most devastating news arrives: a great wind destroys his oldest son's house, killing all ten of Job's children. Job's response in verse 20 is thus his first action after being stripped of virtually everything—wealth, livelihood, and family—a complete dismantling of his world. Historically and culturally, such acts of mourning as tearing garments and shaving the head were widely recognized and extreme expressions of profound grief and distress in the ancient Near East. Job's unique element, however, is that his emotional and physical collapse culminates not in cursing or despair but in an act of worship. This directly addresses the divine challenge set forth in the heavenly courtroom where Satan accused Job of serving God only for personal gain (Job 1:9-11). Job's response here establishes the authenticity of his devotion.

Job 1 20 Word analysis

• Then Job arose:

  • Then: Signals immediate and direct action following the tragic news.
  • Job: The narrative shifts focus back to the central figure, a righteous and blameless man (Job 1:1), emphasizing that this profound reaction comes from him.
  • arose (וַיָּקָם / vayyāqām): Literally "stood up" or "rose." This is a decisive, immediate, and intentional action, indicating he was not paralyzed by grief but engaged with it actively, moving from a passive state to one of agency in his suffering.

• and tore his robe:

  • tore (וַיִּקְרַע / vayyiqraʿ): A strong, violent verb indicating a forceful ripping.
  • his robe (מְעִילֹו / məʿilō): His outer garment, a symbol of dignity and status. Tearing one's robe was a quintessential and highly public expression of intense grief, sorrow, distress, or shock in ancient Near Eastern culture. It signaled total emotional collapse and disregarded social decorum, displaying absolute devastation.

• and shaved his head:

  • shaved (וַיָּגׇז / vayyāḡōz): To shear or cut off completely.
  • his head (רֹאשׁוֹ / rō'shō): Another highly visible and profound sign of mourning and humiliation. Unlike merely tearing clothes, shaving the head was a more permanent and drastic act of self-desecration. Priests were forbidden to do this (Lev 21:5), underscoring the severity of Job's grief as a righteous man. It indicated extreme sorrow and a stripping away of pride or care for appearance.

• and fell upon the ground:

  • fell (וַיִּפֹּל / vayyippōl): To drop, fall down completely.
  • upon the ground (אַרְצָה / ʾarṣāh): Prostration, indicating complete submission, helplessness, and humility. It symbolizes being utterly crushed, reduced to dust—a return to one's base origin (Gen 3:19). It's the lowest physical posture, signifying a spiritual posture of absolute surrender to the weight of his situation.

• and worshiped:

  • worshiped (וַיִּשְׁתַּחוּ / vayyišṭaḥû): To bow down, prostrate oneself in adoration, reverence, or homage. This is the ultimate act of devotion to God. The combination of intense mourning and absolute worship is pivotal. Despite being at his lowest point physically and emotionally, Job directs his heart towards God, affirming divine sovereignty rather than rejecting it. This action profoundly refutes Satan's earlier challenge, demonstrating that Job's fear of God was not contingent on his blessings. It is a posture of active, willing surrender and adoration amidst unimaginable pain.

Words-group analysis:

• "Then Job arose, and tore his robe, and shaved his head": This sequence of actions rapidly conveys the profound shock and personal devastation Job experienced. Each act intensifies the demonstration of extreme, uncontrollable grief and overwhelming despair, adhering to established ancient Near Eastern mourning rituals. It signifies an emotional breaking point and public display of the destruction of his world.
• "and fell upon the ground, and worshiped": This grouping provides the dramatic pivot of the verse. It moves from outward, physical expressions of overwhelming human sorrow (tearing, shaving, falling) to an internal, spiritual response of devotion. His physical prostration becomes the very posture for humble adoration. This powerful contrast is central to Job's character and the book's message: that true faith endures and even worships God in the crucible of suffering, not despite the pain, but within it. It demonstrates submission to God's authority even when His ways are inexplicable and painful.

Job 1 20 Bonus section

The Hebrew word for "worshiped" (וַיִּשְׁתַּחוּ / vayyišṯaḥû) used here implies bowing down so low that one touches the ground with the forehead. This is the posture of absolute humility and complete submission, reflecting the most profound form of reverence. Job's choice of this deep posture for worship immediately after experiencing total loss is incredibly significant; it's a defiant act against the expected human reaction of despair or rage. His worship isn't based on comprehension of God's ways or comfort, but on the intrinsic worthiness of God to be worshipped regardless. This foundational response sets Job apart from other suffering individuals who might question or abandon their deity. The swift progression of actions in the verse, from shock to profound physical expressions of grief, leading immediately to worship, suggests a seamless integration of human suffering and divine reverence in Job's character. His response foreshadows the core theological discussion of the book: the nature of God's justice and the true motive behind human faith.

Job 1 20 Commentary

Job 1:20 is a watershed moment in the narrative, laying the groundwork for the entire Book of Job's theological debate. It reveals the authenticity of Job's faith. He engages in universally understood acts of extreme lament—tearing his robe and shaving his head—confirming his profound human grief over his colossal losses. However, these traditional expressions of sorrow culminate in the unexpected act of worship. Rather than shaking his fist at heaven or cursing God, as Satan predicted, Job bows down. This worship signifies not passive resignation but an active acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and a submission to His will, even when that will brings pain. It establishes that Job's reverence for God is not transactional but a deeply rooted aspect of his being, independent of his circumstances. This verse provides a template for how a righteous person, broken by calamity, can still turn to God in humility and adoration, demonstrating faith that trusts God even when His hand brings suffering. It's a testament to steadfast devotion, proving that genuine piety withstands the fiercest trials.