King James Version

What Does Job 42:12 Mean?

Job 42:12 in the King James Version says “So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand ... — study this verse from Job chapter 42 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Job 42:12 · KJV


Context

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.

14

And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Kerenhappuch.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Job's restoration: 'So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning.' This doubled blessing (14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, etc.) vindicates Job materially. Yet the deeper vindication was God's approval and fellowship.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern narrative often concluded with restoration of righteous sufferers. Job's doubled blessing demonstrates that temporary loss doesn't equal divine abandonment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Job's restoration affect your hope in present loss?
  2. What's the relationship between material and spiritual blessing in Job's story?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַֽיהוָ֗ה1 of 20

So the LORD

H3068

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

בֵּרַ֛ךְ2 of 20

blessed

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

אֶת3 of 20
H853

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

אַחֲרִ֥ית4 of 20

the latter end

H319

the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity

אִיּ֖וֹב5 of 20

of Job

H347

ijob, the patriarch famous for his patience

מֵרֵאשִׁת֑וֹ6 of 20

more than his beginning

H7225

the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit)

וַֽיְהִי7 of 20
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

ל֡וֹ8 of 20
H0
אַרְבָּעָה֩9 of 20

for he had fourteen

H702

four

עָשָׂ֨ר10 of 20
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

וְאֶ֥לֶף11 of 20

and a thousand

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

צֹ֗אן12 of 20

sheep

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

וְשֵׁ֤שֶׁת13 of 20

and six

H8337

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

וְאֶ֥לֶף14 of 20

and a thousand

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

גְּמַלִּ֔ים15 of 20

camels

H1581

a camel

וְאֶ֥לֶף16 of 20

and a thousand

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

צֶ֥מֶד17 of 20

yoke

H6776

a yoke or team (i.e., pair); hence, an acre (i.e., day's task for a yoke of cattle to plough)

בָּקָ֖ר18 of 20

of oxen

H1241

a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd

וְאֶ֥לֶף19 of 20

and a thousand

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

אֲתוֹנֽוֹת׃20 of 20

she asses

H860

a female donkey (from its docility)


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 42:12 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 42:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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