Job Chapter 42 · Verse 6
Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
Original Language Analysis
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
1 of 7
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כֵּ֭ן
H3651
כֵּ֭ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
2 of 7
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
אֶמְאַ֣ס
Wherefore I abhor
H3988
אֶמְאַ֣ס
Wherefore I abhor
Strong's:
H3988
Word #:
3 of 7
to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear
וְנִחַ֑מְתִּי
myself and repent
H5162
וְנִחַ֑מְתִּי
myself and repent
Strong's:
H5162
Word #:
4 of 7
properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 7
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Ezra 9:6And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.Job 30:19He hath cast me into the mire, and I am become like dust and ashes.Job 2:8And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.Daniel 9:3And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:Isaiah 5:5And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down:Isaiah 58:5Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?Psalms 51:17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.Job 9:31Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me.Jeremiah 31:19Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth.Matthew 11:21Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern mourning practices included dust and ashes. Job's posture represents humility and recognition of creaturely limits.
Questions for Reflection
- What's the difference between repenting of sin and repenting of presumption?
- How does encountering God produce self-abhorrence that leads to peace?
Analysis & Commentary
Job's climax: 'Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.' This doesn't repent of supposed sins but of presumption in demanding answers. Job's self-abhorrence reflects proper perspective before divine majesty.