Job 42:12
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַֽיהוָ֗ה
So the LORD
H3068
וַֽיהוָ֗ה
So the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
1 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בֵּרַ֛ךְ
blessed
H1288
בֵּרַ֛ךְ
blessed
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
2 of 20
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אַחֲרִ֥ית
the latter end
H319
אַחֲרִ֥ית
the latter end
Strong's:
H319
Word #:
4 of 20
the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity
מֵרֵאשִׁת֑וֹ
more than his beginning
H7225
מֵרֵאשִׁת֑וֹ
more than his beginning
Strong's:
H7225
Word #:
6 of 20
the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit)
וַֽיְהִי
H1961
וַֽיְהִי
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
7 of 20
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עָשָׂ֨ר
H6240
עָשָׂ֨ר
Strong's:
H6240
Word #:
10 of 20
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
וְאֶ֥לֶף
and a thousand
H505
וְאֶ֥לֶף
and a thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
11 of 20
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
צֹ֗אן
sheep
H6629
צֹ֗אן
sheep
Strong's:
H6629
Word #:
12 of 20
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
וְשֵׁ֤שֶׁת
and six
H8337
וְשֵׁ֤שֶׁת
and six
Strong's:
H8337
Word #:
13 of 20
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
וְאֶ֥לֶף
and a thousand
H505
וְאֶ֥לֶף
and a thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
14 of 20
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
וְאֶ֥לֶף
and a thousand
H505
וְאֶ֥לֶף
and a thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
16 of 20
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
צֶ֥מֶד
yoke
H6776
צֶ֥מֶד
yoke
Strong's:
H6776
Word #:
17 of 20
a yoke or team (i.e., pair); hence, an acre (i.e., day's task for a yoke of cattle to plough)
בָּקָ֖ר
of oxen
H1241
בָּקָ֖ר
of oxen
Strong's:
H1241
Word #:
18 of 20
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
Cross References
Job 8:7Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.Proverbs 10:22The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.Ecclesiastes 7:8Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.Psalms 107:38He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.Genesis 24:35And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses.Job 1:3His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.1 Timothy 6:17Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;Deuteronomy 8:16Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;James 5:11Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern narrative often concluded with restoration of righteous sufferers. Job's doubled blessing demonstrates that temporary loss doesn't equal divine abandonment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Job's restoration affect your hope in present loss?
- What's the relationship between material and spiritual blessing in Job's story?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Job's restoration: 'So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning.' This doubled blessing (14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, etc.) vindicates Job materially. Yet the deeper vindication was God's approval and fellowship.