Job 42 11

Job 42:11 kjv

Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold.

Job 42:11 nkjv

Then all his brothers, all his sisters, and all those who had been his acquaintances before, came to him and ate food with him in his house; and they consoled him and comforted him for all the adversity that the LORD had brought upon him. Each one gave him a piece of silver and each a ring of gold.

Job 42:11 niv

All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the LORD had brought on him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring.

Job 42:11 esv

Then came to him all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before, and ate bread with him in his house. And they showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him. And each of them gave him a piece of money and a ring of gold.

Job 42:11 nlt

Then all his brothers, sisters, and former friends came and feasted with him in his home. And they consoled him and comforted him because of all the trials the LORD had brought against him. And each of them brought him a gift of money and a gold ring.

Job 42 verses

Job 42 11 Meaning

This verse describes the immediate social and financial restoration of Job following his divine encounter and repentance. His estranged family members and former acquaintances returned to him, expressing genuine sorrow for his past sufferings and offering comfort. Their actions, symbolized by eating bread in his home, signify renewed fellowship and reconciliation. Additionally, they each presented Job with valuable monetary and golden gifts, contributing tangibly to the re-establishment of his material wealth and public standing. The passage underscores God's complete reversal of Job's fortunes, bringing companionship, emotional healing, and material provision in abundance after his severe trial.

Job 42 11 Context

Job 42:11 marks a pivotal moment in the book of Job, representing the physical manifestation of God's grace and restoration after Job's profound spiritual journey through immense suffering. Prior to this verse, Job has engaged in a dramatic dialogue with his friends, endured theological arguments, questioned God (without cursing Him), and ultimately encountered the LORD directly. This divine encounter, detailed in Job chapters 38-41, brings Job to humility and repentance (42:1-6). Crucially, in Job 42:7-9, God Himself speaks, rebuking Job's three friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar) for not speaking rightly about Him, unlike Job. God instructs them to offer a burnt offering and asks Job to pray for them, stating that only then would He accept them and not deal with them according to their folly. This intercession by Job (42:10) is the immediate catalyst for "the LORD turn[ing] the captivity of Job," leading directly to the events described in verse 11.

Historically and culturally, the scene reflects patriarchal customs. Eating bread together symbolizes reconciled fellowship and shared peace, a crucial act in a society where hospitality was paramount. The concept of "evil" (ra'ah) brought by the LORD refers to calamity or disaster, not moral wickedness, which is a consistent theological theme throughout the book affirming God's sovereignty over all events, even hardship. The "piece of money" (qesita) and "earring of gold" were significant tokens of wealth and social standing, providing tangible aid and validating Job's restoration in the community. This verse completes Job's public vindication and societal re-integration, demonstrating God's faithfulness in overturning his ordeal and blessing his faithfulness.

Job 42 11 Word analysis

• Then came there unto him: Signifies a clear chronological and causal progression directly following the LORD turning Job's captivity. It indicates a visible and tangible consequence of divine intervention.
• all his brethren, and all his sisters: This likely refers to Job's extended family, including siblings, cousins, and other close relatives. Their prior absence during his severe suffering and the common perception that his plight was divine judgment (and thus, avoiding him was wise) underscores the significance of their return. Their presence here signifies reconciliation and the healing of fractured family relationships.
• and all they that had been of his acquaintance before: This expands beyond immediate family to his broader social circle. During his calamity, Job was likely abandoned or ostracized by many. Their return signifies the reversal of his social isolation and restoration of his standing within the community.
• and did eat bread with him in his house: The Hebrew phrase is 'akhel lechem immo (אכל לחם עמו), "to eat bread with him." This act is profoundly significant in biblical culture. It symbolizes reconciliation, peace, fellowship, renewed covenant, and restored intimacy. Eating together implied trust, acceptance, and shared life. To eat in his house suggests that Job's home, once a place of desolation, was again a center of hospitality and community.
• and they bemoaned him: Hebrew: נֻדוּ לוֹ (nūḏū lô) from the root nud (נוד), which means "to shake, to wander, to mourn, to condole." This indicates a genuine expression of lament, pity, and sorrow with Job over his past afflictions. This stands in stark contrast to the judgmental and accusatory tone of his three friends earlier. It's an act of shared grief and empathy.
• and comforted him: Hebrew: וַיְנַחֲמֻהוּ (waynaḥămûhû) from the root nacham (נחם), meaning "to sigh, to lament, to console oneself, to comfort." This complements "bemoaned," showing their active effort to console him, offer solace, and demonstrate compassion. It acknowledges the severity of his suffering and their empathetic participation in his healing process.
• concerning all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: The Hebrew word for "evil" here is רָעָה (ra'ah), which in this context means "calamity, disaster, distress," not moral wickedness or sin. This phrase is a theological statement consistent throughout the book (e.g., Job 1:21, 2:10, Isa 45:7) that affirms God's ultimate sovereignty even over the devastating events that occurred in Job's life. The family's and acquaintances' acknowledgement indicates a theological shift or acceptance, reflecting the truth that Job's suffering was ultimately from God's hand for a sovereign purpose.
• every man also gave him a piece of money: The Hebrew is קְשִׂיטָה (qesîṭâ). This ancient unit of currency, of uncertain precise value but known to be significant, is mentioned only in a few ancient biblical texts (Gen 33:19, Josh 24:32). Its inclusion here lends to the patriarchal setting and underscores that the gifts were substantial. This tangible contribution was part of Job's financial and material restoration, signaling the community's support for rebuilding his wealth.
• and every one an earring of gold: Hebrew: נֶזֶם זָהָב (nezem zāhāḇ). Gold earrings were valuable ornaments, serving as a form of portable wealth, a mark of status, and an item of personal adornment. Their gifting further contributed to the rebuilding of Job's physical assets and restored his position and prestige within the community. These gifts were not just token gestures but valuable contributions, reinforcing the theme of a complete, comprehensive restoration.

Job 42 11 Bonus section

The repeated emphasis on "all" his brethren, "all" his sisters, and "all" his acquaintances highlights the completeness of Job's relational restoration. It suggests that none of his original supporters or connections were omitted from this return of favor. The term "piece of money" (qesita) is unique. Its usage only in archaic, patriarchal narratives (Gen 33:19, Josh 24:32, Job 42:11) may point to an extremely early tradition embedded in the book of Job, underscoring its antiquity and possibly its symbolic significance as foundational wealth. The gifts are given "every man" and "every one," suggesting a collective act of re-endowment, establishing a strong base for Job's double prosperity described subsequently (Job 42:12). This verse demonstrates God's initiative in turning circumstances, not just restoring possessions, but also turning the hearts of those who had withdrawn or perhaps misjudged Job, showing His power over human relationships and perceptions.

Job 42 11 Commentary

Job 42:11 offers a powerful tableau of God's redemptive work, manifesting reconciliation and abundant provision following Job's faithful endurance and humble repentance. This scene is far more than a simple recovery of material goods; it symbolizes a deep restoration of social bonds, emotional healing, and public honor. The return of his estranged family and acquaintances signifies divine-wrought relational healing. Their willingness to "eat bread" with him speaks volumes about reinstated fellowship, acceptance, and shared peace—a vital element after Job's profound isolation and public shaming. Their shared mourning and comfort demonstrate an empathetic acknowledgment of his past suffering, contrasting sharply with the harsh theological condemnations he previously endured. Crucially, their attribution of "the evil that the LORD had brought upon him" underscores a fundamental biblical truth about God's sovereignty over all circumstances, even calamity. This communal recognition validated Job's ordeal as divinely permitted, rather than as punishment for unconfessed sin. The valuable gifts of money and gold were practical contributions, essential for rebuilding Job's lost estate, but also carried profound symbolic weight: they represented the community's re-investment in Job, acknowledging his worth and rightful place among them. This multifaceted restoration—spiritual, relational, emotional, and material—reveals God's ultimate intention to bless His faithful servants abundantly beyond what they lost.

• Example 1: A community restoring support to a family unjustly afflicted.
• Example 2: Christians offering comfort and practical help to a believer recovering from deep trials.
• Example 3: Forgiveness and fellowship extended to one who was once ostracized by the church for wrong assumptions.