Job 42:1-6

1 Forsooth Job answered to the Lord, and said,

2 I know, that thou mayest (do) all things, and that no thought/and that nothing is hid from thee.

3 Who is this, that covereth counsel without knowing? Therefore I have spoken unwisely, and those things that pass over-measure my knowing. (Who is this, you ask, who telleth out counsel without any true knowledge? And so yes, I have spoken unwisely, and of those things that, beyond measure, surpass my knowledge.)

4 Hear thou, and I shall speak; I shall ask thee, and answer thou to me. (Listen thou, and I shall speak; and then, I pray, that thou shalt answer me.)

5 By (the) hearing of (mine) ear I have heard thee, but now mine eye seeth thee (too).

6 Therefore I reprove myself, and do penance in dead spark and ashes. (And so now I rebuke myself, and repent in dust and ashes.)

Job 42:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 42

This chapter contains Job's answer to the last speech of the Lord's, in which he acknowledges his omnipotence, and his certain performance of his purposes and pleasure; owns his own folly and ignorance, and confesses his sins; for which he abhorred himself, and of which he repented, Job 42:1-6; it also gives an account of the Lord's decision of the controversy between Job and his friends, blaming them and commending him above them; and ordered them to take sacrifices and go to Job and offer them, who should pray for them and be accepted, which was done, Job 42:7-9; and it closes with a relation of the great prosperity Job was restored unto, in which he lived and died, Job 42:10-17.