Job's former friends, who abandoned him in his suffering, now return with elaborate gestures of sympathy. The text highlights that each "gave him a piece of money and a ring of gold" not just as consolation, but as restitution, effectively helping Job rebuild what he lost and affirming his restoration in a tangible way.
Then came to him all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before, and ate bread with him in his house. And they showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him. And each of them gave him a piece of money and a ring of gold.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Having been restored and vindicated by God, Job's estranged family and former friends now return to him. They offer condolences for his suffering, share a meal with him as a sign of renewed fellowship, and present him with gifts of money and gold jewelry, marks of their respect and perhaps an attempt to help rebuild his fortunes.
Job's deepest pain wasn't just the loss of wealth and family, but the silence of his friends. This verse reveals their surprising reappearance.
In Job's darkest hour, his closest circle vanished. His brothers, sisters, and former acquaintances kept their distance, leaving him utterly alone.
Job's friends didn't just show up; they brought comfort and tangible gifts. What does this dual expression of support signify?
The return of Job's acquaintances wasn't merely a social call; it was an act of profound restoration, blending emotional comfort with material generosity.
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The mention of a 'piece of money' here is fascinating. What does this specific term tell us about the era and the nature of the gift?
The Hebrew word 'kesitah' for the gift Job received offers a window into the economic practices of ancient times and the unique nature of this offering.
Understand the original words
nud · Hebrew Verb
In a biblical context, this refers to feelings of compassion and empathy shared with those suffering, often expressed through acts of support and fellowship. It acknowledges the shared humanity and pain of the afflicted.
nacham · Hebrew Verb
The act of bringing encouragement, relief, or emotional support to someone in distress. In the Old Testament, it often involves visiting the sufferer, mourning with them, or providing tangible help to alleviate their sorrow.
ra'ah · Hebrew Noun
In the Old Testament, 'ra'ah' can refer to physical calamities, adversity, or distress. When attributed to God, it generally refers to His sovereign decree or allowance of difficult circumstances for His purposes, not as an expression of moral malice.
The return of Job's friends, bringing gifts and sharing a meal, highlights a common ancient custom where social visits, especially after calamity or during reconciliation, were accompanied by symbolic offerings and shared hospitality. This act signifies their renewed fellowship and respect for Job after his restoration.
c. 2100-1800 BC
The Patriarchal Period
The era of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, during which the book of Job is traditionally thought to have been written. This period predates the formal Israelite nation and is characterized by nomadic life, patriarchal authority, and early forms of wealth exchange.
Job's lifetime
Job's Period of Prosperity
Job lived as a wealthy and respected man, enjoying a large family and considerable influence in his community, as described in the early chapters of the book.
Job's lifetime
Job's Great Calamity
A period of immense suffering where Job lost his possessions, his children, and his health. During this time, many of his friends and acquaintances distanced themselves from him.
Job's lifetime— this verse
Job's Restoration
Following Job's profound dialogues with his friends and his encounter with God, Job's fortunes are restored, and he is blessed with double his former possessions and a new family.
This verse highlights how the poor have many false friends who vanish in hard times, but the rich have many who seek their favor, mirroring the shift in Job's relationships.
Proverbs 19:6-7This passage directly states that many will try to win the favor of a generous ruler, while the poor man is shunned even by his own relatives, echoing Job's experience with his former acquaintances.
Job 19:13-14This passage is Job's own lament about his family and friends abandoning him during his suffering, making their eventual return in Job 42:11 a powerful contrast and fulfillment.
Luke 15:24The parable of the prodigal son includes the father rejoicing and celebrating his son's return, which parallels the joyous restoration and feasting that Job experiences with his returning family and friends.
2 Chronicles 32:23After King Hezekiah's recovery, many brought him gifts and offerings, illustrating a similar cultural practice of friends and acquaintances showing support and honor through material presents after a significant trial.
clarkeJob 42:11: "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."
Then came there unto him all his brethren - "Job being restored to his former health and fortunes, the author," says Mr. Heath, "presents us with a strikin…
pooleJob 42:11: "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."
Then, when Job had humbled himself, and God was reconciled to Job, he quickly turned the hearts of his friends to favour him, according to Proverbs 16:7 ;…
Job's former friends, who abandoned him in his suffering, now return with elaborate gestures of sympathy. The text highlights that each "gave him a piece of money and a ring of gold" not just as consolation, but as restitution, effectively helping Job rebuild what he lost and affirming his restoration in a tangible way.
Having been restored and vindicated by God, Job's estranged family and former friends now return to him. They offer condolences for his suffering, share a meal with him as a sign of renewed fellowship, and present him with gifts of money and gold jewelry, marks of their respect and perhaps an attempt to help rebuild his fortunes.
Having been restored and vindicated by God, Job's estranged family and former friends now return to him. They offer condolences for his suffering, share a meal with him as a sign of renewed fellowship, and present him with gifts of money and gold jewelry, marks of their respect and perhaps an attempt to help rebuild his fortunes.
"Then came to him all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before, and ate bread with him in his house. And they showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him. And each of them gave…" — Job's former friends, who abandoned him in his suffering, now return with elaborate gestures of sympathy. The text highlights that each "gave him a piece of money and a ring of gold" not just as cons…
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Last reviewed October 2026
