Job 2:12

12 Los cuales alzando los ojos desde lejos, no lo conocieron, y lloraron a voz en grito; y cada uno de ellos rasgó su manto, y esparcieron polvo sobre sus cabezas hacia el cielo.

Job 2:12 Meaning and Commentary

Job 2:12

And when they lifted up their eyes afar off
Either when at some distance from Job's house, and he being without in the open air, as some think; or as they entered his house, he being at the further part of the room, or in another further on, which they could see into:

and knew him not;
at first sight; until they came nearer to him, his garments being rent, and his head shaved, and his body covered all over with boils; so that he was so deformed and disfigured that they could not know him at first, and could scarcely believe him to be the same person:

they lifted up their voice and wept:
they wept and cried aloud, being greatly affected with the sight of him, and their hearts sympathizing with him under his afflictions, being his cordial friends, and of that disposition, to weep with those that weep:

and they rent everyone his mantle,
or "cloak"; in token of mourning, as Job had done before, (See Gill on Job 1:20);

and sprinkled dust upon their heads towards heaven;
that is, they took up handfuls of dust from off the ground, and threw it up in the air over their heads, which fell upon them and covered them; which was another rite or ceremony used by mourners, as Jarchi observes, and showed the vehemence of their affections and passions, and the confusion they were in at seeing their friend in such a miserable condition; see ( Joshua 7:6 ) ( Ezekiel 27:30 ) ( Lamentations 2:10 ) .

Job 2:12 In-Context

10 Y él le dijo: Como suele hablar cualquiera de las locas, has hablado. Está bien: recibimos el bien de Dios, ¿y el mal no lo recibiremos? En todo esto no pecó Job con sus labios.

11 Y tres amigos de Job, Elifaz temanita, y Bildad suhita, y Zofar naamatita, luego que oyeron todo este mal que le había sobrevenido, vinieron cada uno de su lugar; porque habían concertado de venir juntos a condolerse de él, y a consolarle.

12 Los cuales alzando los ojos desde lejos, no lo conocieron, y lloraron a voz en grito; y cada uno de ellos rasgó su manto, y esparcieron polvo sobre sus cabezas hacia el cielo.

13 Así se sentaron con él en tierra por siete días y siete noches, y ninguno le hablaba palabra, porque veían que el dolor era muy grande.