What does Job mean when he says, "I know that thou canst do every thing"?

When Job says, “I know that thou canst do every thing,” he is finally agreeing from the heart that God is all-powerful and all-wise. Before, he spoke about God’s power but still argued with His ways. After hearing God speak, Job realizes that nothing can stop God’s plans and that God sees every thought. This confession shows Job laying down his complaints. He accepts that God’s purposes are far beyond his understanding and that God has the right and ability to do whatever He chooses.

Why does Job say, "I have uttered that I understood not"?

Job says, “I have uttered that I understood not” because he realizes he has spoken about God’s ways without really knowing what he was talking about. In his pain, he had questioned God’s justice and wisdom. After God’s speeches about creation and His rule over all things, Job sees how limited his own understanding is. He admits he was talking about “things too wonderful” for him. This is a humble confession that he had gone too far and that his words did not match the greatness of God’s wisdom.

What does it mean that Job repents "in dust and ashes"?

When Job says he repents “in dust and ashes,” he is showing deep sorrow and humility before God. Sitting in dust and ashes was a common way in that time to show grief and repentance. Job is not saying he was secretly living a wicked life, but that his attitude and words toward God were wrong. He now hates his proud, arguing spirit and turns from it. This picture of dust and ashes reminds us that we are small and weak, and that we should bow low before God’s greatness.

Why is God angry with Job’s friends in this passage?

God tells Eliphaz and the other two friends that His wrath is kindled against them because they “have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.” They had insisted Job’s suffering must be because of some hidden sin, and they used God’s name to support their harsh judgments. In doing so, they painted a wrong picture of God’s ways, as if He always punishes quickly and never allows the righteous to suffer. God rejects their speeches and shows that speaking wrongly about Him is a serious matter.

Why must Job’s friends bring sacrifices and ask Job to pray for them?

God tells the friends to bring seven bullocks and seven rams for a burnt offering and to go to Job, because Job will pray for them. This shows two things. First, their sin needed atonement, so a sacrifice was required. Second, God honors Job by making him the one who prays for them. The friends had accused Job, but now they must humble themselves and seek his help. God says He will accept Job, not them directly. It highlights how God uses the prayer of a faithful sufferer for the good of others.

What is the meaning of "the LORD turned the captivity of Job"?

When it says “the LORD turned the captivity of Job,” it means God brought Job out of his time of deep suffering and loss. Job had been bound, so to speak, by pain, grief, and poverty. God changed his condition and set him free from that trouble. The timing is important: this happens “when he prayed for his friends.” As Job shows mercy and prays for those who had hurt him with their words, God lifts his misery, restores his wealth, and blesses him in a new way.

How did God restore Job at the end of this passage?

God restores Job in several clear ways. He gives Job twice as many animals as before, so his possessions are greatly increased. Job also has seven sons and three daughters again, with his daughters noted for their beauty and given an inheritance along with their brothers. His family and old friends return, share a meal, comfort him, and give him money and gold. God then allows Job to live 140 more years and see four generations of his family. The passage closes by saying he died “old and full of days,” showing a peaceful, blessed end.

What does this passage teach about God’s character?

This passage shows that God is powerful, wise, and also very personal. He knows every thought and cannot be questioned as if He were unjust. At the same time, He listens when people humble themselves. He corrects Job, but then accepts his repentance and prayers. He is angry when people speak wrongly about Him, even when they use many religious words. Yet He also provides a way for them to be forgiven through sacrifice and intercession. God both humbles the proud and gently restores those who turn back to Him.

How can this passage about Job’s repentance and restoration apply to my life?

This passage invites you to stop trying to judge God’s ways by your own limited understanding. Like Job, you may face suffering you do not understand. Instead of demanding answers, this chapter shows the better way is to bow before God, admit your limits, and turn from proud or bitter thoughts. It also encourages you to forgive and pray for others, even those who have hurt you with their words. God’s restoring of Job reminds you that He sees your pain and is able to bring good and blessing in His own time.

Job.42.1

Job 42:1

KJV

Then Job answered the Lord, and said,

Job Submits Himself to the LORD

1 Then Job answered the Lord, and said,

2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be 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 ashes.

The LORD Rebukes Job’s Friends

7 ¶ And it was so, that after the Lord had spoken these words unto Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.

8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.

9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the Lord commanded them: the Lord also accepted Job.

The LORD Blesses Job

10 And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.

11 Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold.

12 So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.

13 He had also seven sons and three daughters.

14 And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Keren-happuch.

15 And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren.

16 After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, even four generations.

17 So Job died, being old and full of days.

Cross References

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