King James Version

What Does Job 42:8 Mean?

Job 42:8 in the King James Version says “Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt... — study this verse from Job chapter 42 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job. him: Heb. his face, or, person

Job 42:8 · KJV


Context

6

Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

7

And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.

8

Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job. him: Heb. his face, or, person

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God commands the friends: 'my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly.' This requires the accusers to seek intercession from the accused. Job's priestly function for his friends models Christ's intercession for sinners.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern mediation often required intermediaries. God's appointment of Job as intercessor reverses the friends' assumed superiority.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to pray for those who wronged you?
  2. How does Job's intercession for his friends anticipate Christ's priestly work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 33 words
וְעַתָּ֡ה1 of 33
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

קְחֽוּ2 of 33

Therefore take

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

לָכֶ֣ם3 of 33
H0
וְשִׁבְעָ֨ה4 of 33

and seven

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

פָרִים֩5 of 33

bullocks

H6499

a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)

וְשִׁבְעָ֨ה6 of 33

and seven

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

אֵילִ֜ים7 of 33

rams

H352

properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree

וּלְכ֣וּ׀8 of 33
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אֶל9 of 33
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כְּעַבְדִּ֥י10 of 33

and my servant

H5650

a servant

אִיּֽוֹב׃11 of 33

Job

H347

ijob, the patriarch famous for his patience

וְהַעֲלִיתֶ֤ם12 of 33

and offer up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

עוֹלָה֙13 of 33

for yourselves a burnt offering

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

בַּֽעַדְכֶ֔ם14 of 33
H1157

in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc

אִיּֽוֹב׃15 of 33

Job

H347

ijob, the patriarch famous for his patience

כְּעַבְדִּ֥י16 of 33

and my servant

H5650

a servant

יִתְפַּלֵּ֖ל17 of 33

shall pray

H6419

to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray

עֲלֵיכֶ֑ם18 of 33
H5921

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

כִּ֧י19 of 33
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אִם20 of 33
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

פָּנָ֣יו21 of 33

for you for him

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

אֶשָּׂ֗א22 of 33

will I accept

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

לְבִלְתִּ֞י23 of 33
H1115

properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n

עֲשׂ֤וֹת24 of 33

lest I deal

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

עִמָּכֶם֙25 of 33
H5973

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

נְבָלָ֔ה26 of 33

with you after your folly

H5039

foolishness, i.e., (morally) wickedness; concretely, a crime; by extension, punishment

כִּ֠י27 of 33
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לֹ֣א28 of 33
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

דִבַּרְתֶּ֥ם29 of 33

in that ye have not spoken

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֵלַ֛י30 of 33
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

נְכוֹנָ֖ה31 of 33

of me the thing which is right

H3559

properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

כְּעַבְדִּ֥י32 of 33

and my servant

H5650

a servant

אִיּֽוֹב׃33 of 33

Job

H347

ijob, the patriarch famous for his patience


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 42:8 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 42:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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