King James Version

What Does Job 2:11 Mean?

Job 2:11 in the King James Version says “Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Elip...” — study this verse from Job chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him.”

Job 2:11 · KJV

Comfort

Context

9

Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.

10

But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

11

Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him.

12

And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven.

13

So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.

Read Job 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Job's three friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar—hear of his calamities and come 'to mourn with him and to comfort him.' Their names and origins suggest they represent the wisdom traditions of the wider Ancient Near East. Their initial motivation appears righteous: covenant friendship demands presence in suffering. This sets up the tragedy that follows—good intentions without divine wisdom produce false comfort that 'makes the heart sick' (Proverbs 13:12).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The friends' distant origins (Teman in Edom, Shuah in Arabia, Naamah location uncertain) demonstrate Job's international reputation and influence. Their willingness to travel considerable distances shows the depth of their friendship.

Reflection Questions

  1. When friends are suffering, do you prioritize presence over solutions?
  2. How do you discern between godly counsel and well-intentioned but false comfort?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וַֽיִּשְׁמְע֞וּ1 of 25

“heard”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת׀2 of 25

“three”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

רֵעֵ֣י3 of 25

“friends”

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

אִיּ֗וֹב4 of 25

“Now when Job's”

H347

ijob, the patriarch famous for his patience

אֵ֣ת5 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל6 of 25
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָֽרָעָ֣ה7 of 25

“of all this evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

הַזֹּאת֮8 of 25
H2063

this (often used adverb)

לָב֥וֹא9 of 25

“that was come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עָלָיו֒10 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

לָב֥וֹא11 of 25

“that was come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אִ֣ישׁ12 of 25

“every one”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

מִמְּקֹמ֔וֹ13 of 25

“from his own place”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

אֱלִיפַ֤ז14 of 25

“Eliphaz”

H464

eliphaz, the name of one of job's friends, and of a son of esau

הַתֵּֽימָנִי֙15 of 25

“the Temanite”

H8489

a temanite or descendant of teman

וּבִלְדַּ֣ד16 of 25

“and Bildad”

H1085

bildad, one of job's friends

הַשּׁוּחִ֔י17 of 25

“the Shuhite”

H7747

a shuchite or descendant of shuach

וְצוֹפַ֖ר18 of 25

“and Zophar”

H6691

tsophar, a friend of job

הַנַּֽעֲמָתִ֑י19 of 25

“the Naamathite”

H5284

a naamathite, or inhabitant of naamah

וַיִּוָּֽעֲד֣וּ20 of 25

“for they had made an appointment”

H3259

to fix upon (by agreement or appointment); by implication, to meet (at a stated time), to summon (to trial), to direct (in a certain quarter or positi

יַחְדָּ֔ו21 of 25

“together”

H3162

properly, a unit, i.e., (adverb) unitedly

לָב֥וֹא22 of 25

“that was come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לָנֽוּד23 of 25

“to mourn”

H5110

to nod, i.e., waver; figuratively, to wander, flee, disappear; also (from shaking the head in sympathy), to console, deplore, or (from tossing the hea

ל֖וֹ24 of 25
H0
וּֽלְנַחֲמֽוֹ׃25 of 25

“with him and to comfort”

H5162

properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Job. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Job 2:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Job 2:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 12:15Job 42:11Job 6:14Genesis 25:2Jeremiah 49:7Proverbs 17:17

Places in This Verse

Naamah 2Region · Modern: Sheba · 15.35°N, 44.21°E4 verses across 1 book
View all places in Job 2 →

Test Your Knowledge

Job 2 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJob Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Job 2 with CommentaryAll Job ChaptersComplete Job QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes