Job 19:9
He hath stripped me of my glory, and taken the crown from my head.
Original Language Analysis
כְּ֭בוֹדִי
me of my glory
H3519
כְּ֭בוֹדִי
me of my glory
Strong's:
H3519
Word #:
1 of 6
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
מֵעָלַ֣י
H5921
מֵעָלַ֣י
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 6
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הִפְשִׁ֑יט
He hath stripped
H6584
הִפְשִׁ֑יט
He hath stripped
Strong's:
H6584
Word #:
3 of 6
to spread out (i.e., deploy in hostile array); by analogy, to strip (i.e., unclothe, plunder, flay, etc.)
Cross References
Historical Context
In ancient Near Eastern culture, public honor (kavod) was essential to identity. Job's stripping echoes prophetic imagery of Israel's exile (Ezekiel 16:39) but applied to an individual. This personal de-glorification prefigures the Servant who would be 'despised and rejected' (Isaiah 53:3).
Questions for Reflection
- What 'crowns' or sources of glory has God stripped from you, and how have you processed that loss?
- How does Job's stripping illuminate Christ's voluntary humiliation in Philippians 2:7?
- Can a person experience total loss of earthly glory yet maintain spiritual dignity? How?
Analysis & Commentary
He hath stripped me of my glory (כְּבוֹדִי מֵעָלַי הִפְשִׁיט, kevodi me'alay hiphshit)—The verb פָּשַׁט (pashat, 'to strip off') describes forcible removal, often of clothing or armor (1 Samuel 31:9). Job's כָּבוֹד (kavod, 'glory/honor/weight') encompasses social reputation, divine blessing, and personal dignity—all violently torn away.
And taken the crown from my head (וַיָּסַר עֲטֶרֶת רֹאשִׁי, wayyasar 'ateret roshi)—The עֲטָרָה ('atarah, 'crown') wasn't literal royalty but the 'crown' of wisdom, prosperity, and family that distinguished Job as 'the greatest of all the men of the east' (1:3). This de-crowning anticipates Christ, who was literally stripped and crowned with thorns—the innocent sufferer par excellence (Matthew 27:28-29).