Job 2:11-13

Job's Three Friends

11 Now when Job's three ¹friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place, Eliphaz ²the Temanite, Bildad ³the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together to come to ⁴show him sympathy and comfort him.

12 And when they saw him from a distance, they did not recognize him. And they raised their voices and wept, and they ⁵tore their robes and sprinkled ⁶dust on their heads toward heaven.

13 And they sat with him on the ground ⁷seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.

Job 2:11-13 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 2

This chapter gives an account of a second trial of Job's constancy and integrity, the time and occasion of it, Job 2:1-3; the motion made for it by Satan, which being granted, he smote him from head to foot with sore boils, which he endured very patiently, Job 2:4-8; during which sad affliction he is urged by his wife to give up his integrity, which he bravely resisted, Job 2:9,10; and the chapter is concluded with an account of a visit of three of Job's friends, and of their conduct and behaviour towards him, Job 2:11-13.

Cross References

• 1. [Proverbs 17:17]
• 2. See 1 Chronicles 1:45
• 3. Genesis 25:2; 1 Chronicles 1:32
• 4. Job 42:11; [Romans 12:15]
• 5. See Genesis 37:29
• 6. See Joshua 7:6; Nehemiah 9:1; Lamentations 2:10; Ezekiel 27:30
• 7. Ezekiel 3:15; [Genesis 50:10]