Job 2:12

Authorized King James Version

And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּשְׂא֥וּ
H5375
And when they lifted up
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#2
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#3
עֵֽינֵיהֶ֤ם
H5869
their eyes
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#4
מֵֽרָחוֹק֙
H7350
afar off
remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)
#5
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#6
הִכִּירֻ֔הוּ
H5234
and knew
properly, to scrutinize, i.e., look intently at; hence (with recognition implied), to acknowledge, be acquainted with, care for, respect, revere, or (
#7
וַיִּשְׂא֥וּ
H5375
And when they lifted up
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#8
קוֹלָ֖ם
H6963
their voice
a voice or sound
#9
וַיִּבְכּ֑וּ
H1058
and wept
to weep; generally to bemoan
#10
וַֽיִּקְרְעוּ֙
H7167
and they rent
to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them)
#11
אִ֣ישׁ
H376
every one
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#12
מְעִל֔וֹ
H4598
his mantle
a robe (i.e., upper and outer garment)
#13
וַיִּזְרְק֥וּ
H2236
and sprinkled
to sprinkle (fluid or solid particles)
#14
עָפָ֛ר
H6083
dust
dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
#15
עַל
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#16
רָֽאשֵׁיהֶ֖ם
H7218
upon their heads
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#17
הַשָּׁמָֽיְמָה׃
H8064
toward heaven
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Job. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection