◄ Job 42:11 ►
All his brothers and sisters and prior acquaintances came and dined with him in his house. They consoled him and comforted him over all the adversity that the LORD had brought upon him. And each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring.
Study Bible
All his brothers and sisters and former acquaintances came to him
This phrase highlights the restoration of Job's social relationships. In the Hebrew context, family and community were central to one's identity and support system. The return of Job's brothers, sisters, and acquaintances signifies a restoration of his honor and status within the community. Historically, this reflects the cultural importance of kinship and social ties in ancient Near Eastern societies. The Hebrew word for "brothers" (אֲחִים, 'achim) and "sisters" (אֲחָיוֹת, 'achayot) emphasizes familial bonds, which were crucial for survival and prosperity.

and dined with him in his house
Dining together in the ancient Near East was a sign of fellowship and reconciliation. Sharing a meal symbolized peace and acceptance. The act of dining in Job's house indicates a renewal of relationships and a communal acknowledgment of Job's restored fortunes. In the Hebrew tradition, hospitality was a sacred duty, and eating together was a profound expression of unity and friendship.

They consoled him and comforted him
The Hebrew words for "consoled" (נִחֲמוּ, nichamu) and "comforted" (וַיְנַחֲמוּ, vayenachamu) suggest a deep, empathetic response to Job's suffering. This reflects the biblical principle of bearing one another's burdens, as seen in Galatians 6:2. The community's response contrasts with their earlier absence, highlighting a transformation in their understanding and compassion.

for all the adversity the LORD had brought upon him
This phrase acknowledges the sovereignty of God in Job's trials. The Hebrew word for "adversity" (רָעָה, ra'ah) can also mean "evil" or "calamity," underscoring the severity of Job's suffering. The acknowledgment that the LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh) allowed these events reflects a deep theological understanding of God's ultimate control over life's circumstances, a theme central to the book of Job.

And each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring
The giving of silver and gold rings signifies a tangible expression of support and restitution. In ancient times, such gifts were symbols of wealth and honor. The Hebrew word for "silver" (כֶּסֶף, kesef) and "gold" (זָהָב, zahav) indicates valuable resources, suggesting that Job's friends and family were contributing to his material restoration. This act of generosity reflects the biblical principle of restoring and blessing those who have suffered, as seen in Proverbs 11:25.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
The central figure of the Book of Job, a man known for his righteousness and suffering. In this verse, he is being comforted after his trials.

2. Brothers and Sisters
Job's family members who come to support him after his period of suffering.

3. Former Acquaintances
Friends and people who knew Job before his trials, now returning to offer comfort and support.

4. Job's House
The setting for this gathering, symbolizing a return to normalcy and restoration for Job.

5. The LORD
God, who allowed Job's trials and is now restoring him, highlighting His sovereignty and ultimate justice.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Community
Job's restoration includes the support of his community. In times of suffering, the presence and support of family and friends are vital.

God's Sovereignty in Suffering
The verse acknowledges that the adversity was brought by the LORD, reminding us of God's control and purpose even in difficult times.

Restoration and Generosity
The giving of silver and gold rings symbolizes restoration and blessing. It encourages believers to be generous and supportive to those who have suffered.

Comforting Others
As Job's acquaintances comforted him, we are called to comfort others in their trials, reflecting God's compassion.

The Role of Repentance and Humility
Job's restoration follows his repentance and humility before God, teaching us the importance of these attitudes in our spiritual journey.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the response of Job's family and friends in Job 42:11 reflect the biblical principle of community support during trials?

2. In what ways can we see God's sovereignty and purpose in the adversities we face, as illustrated in Job's account?

3. How can the generosity shown to Job inspire us to support others who are recovering from difficult times?

4. What are some practical ways we can offer comfort and encouragement to those who are suffering, based on the example of Job's acquaintances?

5. How does Job's experience of restoration after repentance and humility challenge us in our own spiritual lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 50:20
Joseph's account of suffering and restoration parallels Job's, showing how God can use adversity for good.

James 5:11
James references Job's perseverance, emphasizing the Lord's compassion and mercy.

Psalm 126:5-6
The theme of restoration and joy after suffering connects with Job's experience of being comforted and blessed.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Paul speaks of God as the "Father of compassion," who comforts us in our troubles, similar to how Job is comforted by his friends and family.

1 Peter 5:10
Peter speaks of God restoring, confirming, strengthening, and establishing believers after suffering, reflecting Job's restoration.
Sermons
Conclusion of the StoryE. Johnson Job 42:7-17
The Divine Vindication of JobR. Green Job 42:7-17
The Return of ProsperityW.F. Adeney Job 42:11-17
People
Bildad, Eliphaz, Jemima, Job, Kerenhappuch, Kezia, Zophar
Places
Uz
Topics
Acquaintance, Acquaintances, Adversities, Ate, Bemoan, Bemoaned, Bit, Bread, Brethren, Brothers, Clear, Comfort, Comforted, Condoled, Consoled, Earlier, Earring, Ear-ring, Eat, Evil, Former, Friends, Gold, Golden, Grief, Kesitah, Money, Piece, Ring, Showed, Silver, Sisters, Sympathy, Trouble
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Job 42:11

     1050   God, goodness of
     4333   gold
     4363   silver
     5176   ring
     5566   suffering, encouragements in
     5661   brothers
     5737   sisters
     5805   comfort
     5915   ornaments
     5976   visiting

Job 42:10-12

     5562   suffering, innocent
     8701   affluence

Job 42:10-13

     4019   life, believers' experience

Library
October 6 Morning
The Lord God omnipotent reigneth.--REV. 19:6. I know that thou canst do every thing.--The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.--He doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?--There is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?--Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee. Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

July 26. "Now Mine Eye Seeth Thee" (Job Xlii. 5).
"Now mine eye seeth Thee" (Job xlii. 5). We must recognize the true character of our self-life and its real virulence and vileness. We must consent to its destruction, and we must take it ourselves, as Abraham did Isaac, and lay it at the feet of God in willing sacrifice. This is a hard work for the natural heart, but the moment the will is yielded and the choice is made, that death is past, the agony is over, and we are astonished to find that the death is accomplished. Usually the crisis of life …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

'The End of the Lord'
'Then Job answered the Lord, and said, 2. I know that Thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can he withholden from Thee. 3. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. 4. Hear, I beseech Thee, and I will speak: I will demand of Thee, and declare Thou unto me. 5. I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth Thee. 6. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Intercessory Prayer
The circumstance which attended Job's restoration is that to which I invite your particular attention. "The Lord turned again the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends." Intercessory prayer was the omen of his returning greatness. It was the bow in the cloud, the dove bearing the olive branch, the voice of the turtle announcing the coming summer. When his soul began to expand itself in holy and loving prayer for his erring brethren, then the heart of God showed itself to him by returning …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 7: 1861

The Sinner Sentenced.
1, 2.The sinner called upon to hear his sentence.--3. God's law does now in general pronounce a curse.--4. It pronounces death.--5. And being turned into hell.--6. The judgement day shall come.--7, 8. The solemnity of that grand process described according to scriptural representations of it.--9. With a particular illustration of the sentence, "Depart, accursed," &c.--10. The execution wilt certainly and immediately follow.--11. The sinner warned to prepare for enduring it. The reflection of a sinner …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

Whether after the Resurrection the Saints Will See God with the Eyes of the Body? [*Cf. Fp, Q , a ]
Objection 1: It would seem that after the resurrection the saints will see God with the eyes of the body. Because the glorified eye has greater power than one that is not glorified. Now the blessed Job saw God with his eyes (Job 42:5): "With the hearing of the ear, I have heard Thee, but now my eye seeth Thee." Much more therefore will the glorified eye be able to see God in His essence. Objection 2: Further, it is written (Job 19:26): "In my flesh I shall see God my Saviour [Vulg.: 'my God']." Therefore …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Its Problem
In this and the following chapter our aim will be fourfold. First, to demonstrate the impossibility of any sinner obtaining acceptance and favour with God on the ground of his own performances. Second, to show that the saving of a sinner presented a problem which nought but omniscience could solve, but that the consummate wisdom of God has devised a way whereby He can pronounce righteous a guilty transgressor of His Law without impeaching His veracity, sullying His holiness, or ignoring the claims …
Arthur W. Pink—The Doctrine of Justification

Washed to Greater Foulness
Turning to my text, let me say, that as one is startled by a shriek, or saddened by a groan, so these sharp utterances of Job astonish us at first, and then awake our pity. How much are we troubled with brotherly compassion as we read the words,--"If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean; yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me!" The sense of misery couched in this passage baffles description. Yet this is but one of a series, in which sentence …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 32: 1886

Whether the Essence of God Can be Seen with the Bodily Eye?
Objection 1: It seems that the essence of God can be seen by the corporeal eye. For it is written (Job 19:26): "In my flesh I shall see . . . God," and (Job 42:5), "With the hearing of the ear I have heard Thee, but now my eye seeth Thee." Objection 2: Further, Augustine says (De Civ. Dei xxix, 29): "Those eyes" (namely the glorified) "will therefore have a greater power of sight, not so much to see more keenly, as some report of the sight of serpents or of eagles (for whatever acuteness of vision …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Our Attitude Toward his Sovereignty
"Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in Thy sight" (Matt. 11:26). In the present chapter we shall consider, somewhat briefly, the practical application to ourselves of the great truth which we have pondered in its various ramifications in earlier pages. In chapter twelve we shall deal more in detail with the value of this doctrine but here we would confine ourselves to a definition of what ought to be our attitude toward the Sovereignty of God. Every truth that is revealed to us in God's Word …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

Whether Contention is a Mortal Sin?
Objection 1: It would seem that contention is not a mortal sin. For there is no mortal sin in spiritual men: and yet contention is to be found in them, according to Lk. 22:24: "And there was also a strife amongst" the disciples of Jesus, "which of them should . . . be the greatest." Therefore contention is not a mortal sin. Objection 2: Further, no well disposed man should be pleased that his neighbor commit a mortal sin. But the Apostle says (Phil. 1:17): "Some out of contention preach Christ," …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Character of Its Teachings Evidences the Divine Authorship of the Bible
Take its teachings about God Himself. What does the Bible teach us about God? It declares that He is Eternal: "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever Thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou are God" (Ps. 90:2). It reveals the fact that He is Infinite: "But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee" (I Kings 8:27). Vast as we know the universe to be, it has its bounds; but we must go beyond …
Arthur W. Pink—The Divine Inspiration of the Bible

An Address to a Soul So Overwhelmed with a Sense of the Greatness of Its Sins, that it Dares not Apply Itself to Christ with Any
1-4. The case described at large.--5. As it frequently occurs.--6. Granting all that the dejected soul charges on itself.--7. The invitations and promises of Christ give hope.--8. The reader urged, under all his burdens and fears, to an humble application to him. Which is accordingly exemplified in the concluding Reflection and Prayer. 1. I have now done with those unhappy creatures who despise the Gospel, and with those who neglect it. With pleasure do I now turn myself to those who will hear me …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

Letter xx. Self-Examination.
"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith: prove your own selves."--2 COR. 13:6. MY DEAR SISTER, In view of the positive injunction of Scripture, above quoted, no argument is necessary to show that self-examination is a duty. But if the word of God had been silent upon the subject, the importance of self-knowledge would have been a sufficient motive for searching into the secret springs of action which influence our conduct. A person ignorant of his own heart, is like a merchant, who knows …
Harvey Newcomb—A Practical Directory for Young Christian Females

Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.
(from Bethany to Jerusalem and Back, Sunday, April 2, a.d. 30.) ^A Matt. XXI. 1-12, 14-17; ^B Mark XI. 1-11; ^C Luke XIX. 29-44; ^D John XII. 12-19. ^c 29 And ^d 12 On the morrow [after the feast in the house of Simon the leper] ^c it came to pass, when he he drew nigh unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, ^a 1 And when they came nigh unto Jerusalem, and came unto Bethphage unto { ^b at} ^a the mount of Olives [The name, Bethphage, is said to mean house of figs, but the …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Acceptable Sacrifice;
OR, THE EXCELLENCY OF A BROKEN HEART: SHOWING THE NATURE, SIGNS, AND PROPER EFFECTS OF A CONTRITE SPIRIT. BEING THE LAST WORKS OF THAT EMINENT PREACHER AND FAITHFUL MINISTER OF JESUS CHRIST, MR. JOHN BUNYAN, OF BEDFORD. WITH A PREFACE PREFIXED THEREUNTO BY AN EMINENT MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL IN LONDON. London: Sold by George Larkin, at the Two Swans without Bishopgates, 1692. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. The very excellent preface to this treatise, written by George Cokayn, will inform the reader of …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
Having spoken of the general notion of blessedness, I come next to consider the subjects of this blessedness, and these our Saviour has deciphered to be the poor in spirit, the mourners, etc. But before I touch upon these, I shall attempt a little preface or paraphrase upon this sermon of the beatitudes. 1 Observe the divinity in this sermon, which goes beyond all philosophy. The philosophers use to say that one contrary expels another; but here one contrary begets another. Poverty is wont to expel …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Job
The book of Job is one of the great masterpieces of the world's literature, if not indeed the greatest. The author was a man of superb literary genius, and of rich, daring, and original mind. The problem with which he deals is one of inexhaustible interest, and his treatment of it is everywhere characterized by a psychological insight, an intellectual courage, and a fertility and brilliance of resource which are nothing less than astonishing. Opinion has been divided as to how the book should be …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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