Job 16:15
 Job 16:15 
New International Version (© 2011)
"I have sewed sackcloth over my skin and buried my brow in the dust.

King James Bible
I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and defiled my horn in the dust.

American Standard Version
I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, And have laid my horn in the dust.

Young's Literal Translation
Sackcloth I have sewed on my skin, And have rolled in the dust my horn.

Job 16:15 Additional Translations
Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

I have sewed sackcloth - שק sak, a word that has passed into almost all languages, as I have already had occasion to notice in other parts of this work.

Defiled my horn in the dust - The horn was an emblem of power; and the metaphor was originally taken from beasts, such as the urus, wild ox, buffalo, or perhaps the rhinoceros, who were perceived to have so much power in their horns. Hence a horn was frequently worn on crowns and helmets, as is evident on ancient coins; and to this day it is an appendage to the diadem of the kings and chiefs of Abyssinia. In the second edition of Mr. Bruce's Travels in Abyssinia, vol. viii., plates 2 and 3, we have engravings of two chiefs, Kefla Yasous, and Woodage Ashahel, who are represented with this emblem of power on their forehead. Mr. Bruce thus describes it: "One thing remarkable in this cavalcade, which I observed, was the head dress of the governors of provinces. A large broad fillet was bound upon their forehead, and tied behind their head. In the middle of this was a horn, or a conical piece of silver, gilt, about four inches in length, much in the shape of our common candle extinguishers. This is called kirn, or horn; and is only worn in reviews, or parades after victory. This, I apprehend, like all others of their usages is taken from the Hebrews; and the several allusions made in Scripture to it arise from this practice. 'I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly; and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn.' 'Lift not up your horn on high, speak not with a stiff neck; for promotion cometh not,' etc. 'But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of a unicorn.' 'And the horn of the righteous shall be exalted with honor.' And so in many other places throughout the Psalms." In a note on the same page we have the following observation: "The crooked manner in which they hold their neck when this ornament is on their forehead, for fear it should fall forward, perfectly shows the meaning of 'Speak not with a stiff neck when you hold the horn on high (or erect) like the horn of the unicorn."' - Bruce's Travels, vol. iv., p. 407. Defiling or rolling the horn in the dust, signifies the disgrace or destruction of power, authority, and eminence. Mr. Good translates, I have rolled my turban in the dust, which he endeavors to justify in a long note. But in this, I think, this very learned man is mistaken. The Hebrew קרן keren is the same as the Ethiopic kirn, and both mean exactly, in such connection, what Mr. Bruce has noticed above. The horn on the diadem is the emblem of power, authority, and eminence.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

sewed

1 Kings 21:27 And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth on his flesh, and fasted...

Isaiah 22:12 And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:

defiled my horn

Job 30:19 He has cast me into the mire, and I am become like dust and ashes.

1 Samuel 2:10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder on them...

Psalm 7:5 Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yes, let him tread down my life on the earth, and lay my honor in the dust. Selah.

Psalm 75:5,10 Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck...

Job 16:15 Parallel Commentaries
Brow Buried Clothing Defiled Dust Haircloth Horn Laid Rolled Sackcloth Sewed Skin Strength Thrust
Brow Buried Clothing Defiled Dust Haircloth Horn Laid Rolled Sackcloth Sewed Skin Strength Thrust
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Genesis 37:34 Then Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days.
1 Samuel 2:1 Then Hannah prayed and said: "My heart rejoices in the LORD; in the LORD my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance.
Job 19:9 He has stripped me of my honor and removed the crown from my head.
Psalm 7:5 then let my enemy pursue and overtake me; let him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust.
Psalm 69:11 when I put on sackcloth, people make sport of me.
Lamentations 3:29 Let him bury his face in the dust-- there may yet be hope.