Job 2:12
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשְׂא֥וּ
And when they lifted up
H5375
וַיִּשְׂא֥וּ
And when they lifted up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
1 of 17
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עֵֽינֵיהֶ֤ם
their eyes
H5869
עֵֽינֵיהֶ֤ם
their eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
3 of 17
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
מֵֽרָחוֹק֙
afar off
H7350
מֵֽרָחוֹק֙
afar off
Strong's:
H7350
Word #:
4 of 17
remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הִכִּירֻ֔הוּ
and knew
H5234
הִכִּירֻ֔הוּ
and knew
Strong's:
H5234
Word #:
6 of 17
properly, to scrutinize, i.e., look intently at; hence (with recognition implied), to acknowledge, be acquainted with, care for, respect, revere, or (
וַיִּשְׂא֥וּ
And when they lifted up
H5375
וַיִּשְׂא֥וּ
And when they lifted up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
7 of 17
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
וַֽיִּקְרְעוּ֙
and they rent
H7167
וַֽיִּקְרְעוּ֙
and they rent
Strong's:
H7167
Word #:
10 of 17
to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them)
אִ֣ישׁ
every one
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
every one
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
11 of 17
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)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
15 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Ezekiel 27:30And shall cause their voice to be heard against thee, and shall cry bitterly, and shall cast up dust upon their heads, they shall wallow themselves in the ashes:Lamentations 2:10The elders of the daughter of Zion sit upon the ground, and keep silence: they have cast up dust upon their heads; they have girded themselves with sackcloth: the virgins of Jerusalem hang down their heads to the ground.Nehemiah 9:1Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them.Job 1:20Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,Joshua 7:6And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads.
Historical Context
Seven days of mourning was a standard period (Genesis 50:10, 1 Samuel 31:13), and sitting with mourners without speaking was culturally appropriate, acknowledging that some grief transcends words.
Questions for Reflection
- How well do you practice the ministry of presence without feeling compelled to speak?
- What causes people who begin with genuine compassion to shift into accusation and false counsel?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The friends' inability to recognize Job demonstrates the severity of his disfigurement. Their actions—lifting their voices weeping, tearing their robes, sprinkling dust on their heads—represent genuine covenant mourning. The seven days and nights of silence reveal proper pastoral care: presence precedes pronouncement. Unfortunately, this wise silence will soon give way to false accusations, showing that even those who begin well can fail without maintaining humble dependence on God's wisdom.