King James Version

What Does Job 42:11 Mean?

Job 42:11 in the King James Version says “Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, a... — study this verse from Job chapter 42 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 · KJV


Context

9

So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job . Job: Heb. the face of Job

10

And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. gave: Heb. added all that had been to Job unto the double

11

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.

12

So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.

13

He had also seven sons and three daughters.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
"Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before." After restoration begins, Job's family and former friends return. Their absence during suffering but presence during prosperity exposes fair-weather friendship. Yet Job receives them graciously. God restores community alongside material blessings. This teaches that restoration includes renewed relationships, though we must recognize that some relationships are conditional and shallow. The verse also demonstrates God's comprehensive restoration—nothing partial or incomplete.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern culture emphasized community and family relationships. Their absence during Job's suffering violated social obligations. Their return during restoration revealed cultural tendency to associate with success. This would teach readers to value faithful friends who remain during trials over those who return only during prosperity.

Reflection Questions

  1. Who has proven faithful during your suffering versus who only appears during prosperity?
  2. How can you graciously receive those who return after abandoning you in trials?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 33 words
הֵבִ֥יא1 of 33

Then came

H935

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

אֵ֠לָיו2 of 33
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כָּל3 of 33
H3605

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

אֶחָ֨יו4 of 33

there unto him all his brethren

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

וְכָל5 of 33
H3605

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

אַחְיֹתָ֜יו6 of 33

and all his sisters

H269

a sister (used very widely [like h0251], literally and figuratively)

וְכָל7 of 33
H3605

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

יֹדְעָ֣יו8 of 33

and all they that had been of his acquaintance

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

לְפָנִ֗ים9 of 33

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

וַיֹּאכְל֨וּ10 of 33

and did eat

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

עִמּ֣וֹ11 of 33
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

לֶחֶם֮12 of 33

bread

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

בְּבֵיתוֹ֒13 of 33

with him in his house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

וַיָּנֻ֤דוּ14 of 33

and they bemoaned

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

לוֹ֙15 of 33
H0
וַיְנַחֲמ֣וּ16 of 33

him and comforted

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

אֹת֔וֹ17 of 33
H853

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

עַ֚ל18 of 33
H5921

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

כָּל19 of 33
H3605

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

הָ֣רָעָ֔ה20 of 33

him over all the evil

H7451

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

אֲשֶׁר21 of 33
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הֵבִ֥יא22 of 33

Then came

H935

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

יְהוָ֖ה23 of 33

that the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

עָלָ֑יו24 of 33
H5921

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

וַיִּתְּנוּ25 of 33

also gave

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

ל֗וֹ26 of 33
H0
וְאִ֕ישׁ27 of 33

and 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)

קְשִׂיטָ֣ה28 of 33

piece of money

H7192

an ingot (as definitely estimated and stamped for a coin)

אֶחָֽד׃29 of 33

him a

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

וְאִ֕ישׁ30 of 33

and 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)

נֶ֥זֶם31 of 33

an earring

H5141

a nose-ring

זָהָ֖ב32 of 33

of gold

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

אֶחָֽד׃33 of 33

him a

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first


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 42:11 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 42:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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