Job 1:20
New International Version
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship

New Living Translation
Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship.

English Standard Version
Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped.

Berean Standard Bible
Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped,

King James Bible
Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

New King James Version
Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped.

New American Standard Bible
Then Job got up, tore his robe, and shaved his head; then he fell to the ground and worshiped.

NASB 1995
Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped.

NASB 1977
Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped.

Amplified Bible
Then Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head [in mourning for the children], and he fell to the ground and worshiped [God].

Christian Standard Bible
Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped,

American Standard Version
Then Job arose, and rent his robe, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped;

Contemporary English Version
When Job heard this, he tore his clothes and shaved his head because of his great sorrow. He knelt on the ground, then worshiped God

English Revised Version
Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Job stood up, tore his robe in grief, and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground and worshiped.

Good News Translation
Then Job got up and tore his clothes in grief. He shaved his head and threw himself face downward on the ground.

International Standard Version
Then Job stood up, tore his robe, shaved his head, fell to the ground, bowed very low,

Majority Standard Bible
Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped,

NET Bible
Then Job got up and tore his robe. He shaved his head, and then he threw himself down with his face to the ground.

New Heart English Bible
Then Job arose, and tore his robe, and shaved his head, and fell down with his face to the ground.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell upon the ground, and worshiped,

World English Bible
Then Job arose, and tore his robe, and shaved his head, and fell down on the ground, and worshiped.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Job rises, and tears his robe, and shaves his head, and falls to the earth, and pays respect,

Young's Literal Translation
And Job riseth, and rendeth his robe, and shaveth his head, and falleth to the earth, and doth obeisance,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Job will rise and rend his covering, and shave his head, and fall to the earth and worship.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then Job rose up, and rent his garments, and having shaven his head fell down upon the ground and worshipped,

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Job got up and tore his garments, and, having shaved his head, he collapsed on the ground, and worshipped,

New American Bible
Then Job arose and tore his cloak and cut off his hair. He fell to the ground and worshiped.

New Revised Standard Version
Then Job arose, tore his robe, shaved his head, and fell on the ground and worshiped.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Job stood and ripped his cloak and shaved his head, and he fell on the ground and worshiped
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
So Job arose, and rent his garments, and shaved the hair of his head, and fell on the earth, and worshipped,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Job Loses His Children and Possessions
19when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on the young people and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you!” 20Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped, 21saying: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.”…

Cross References
James 5:11
See how blessed we consider those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Romans 5:3-5
Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; / perseverance, character; and character, hope. / And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.

1 Peter 1:6-7
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials / so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 12:5-11
And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. / For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” / Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? ...

1 Peter 5:6-10
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you. / Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. / Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ...

Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

2 Corinthians 4:8-10
We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; / persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. / We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

Philippians 4:12-13
I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. In any and every situation I have learned the secret of being filled and being hungry, of having plenty and having need. / I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. / That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Psalm 34:19
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all.

Psalm 42:11
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.

Psalm 95:6
O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.

Psalm 103:14
For He knows our frame; He is mindful that we are dust.

Isaiah 45:7
I form the light and create the darkness; I bring prosperity and create calamity. I, the LORD, do all these things.


Treasury of Scripture

Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down on the ground, and worshipped,

rent.

Genesis 37:29,34
And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes…

Ezra 9:3
And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down astonied.

mantle.

Deuteronomy 9:18
And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

2 Samuel 12:16-20
David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth…

2 Chronicles 7:3
And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

Jump to Previous
Clothing Cutting Earth Face Fell Ground Hair Head Job Mantle Parting Rent Riseth Robe Rose Shaved Tore Worship Worshiped Worshipped
Jump to Next
Clothing Cutting Earth Face Fell Ground Hair Head Job Mantle Parting Rent Riseth Robe Rose Shaved Tore Worship Worshiped Worshipped
Job 1
1. The holiness, riches, and reverent care of Job for his children.
6. Satan, appearing before God, obtains leave to afflict Job.
13. Understanding of the loss of his children and goods, in his mourning Job blesses God.














Then Job stood up
This phrase indicates a decisive action by Job, suggesting a transition from a state of shock or mourning to one of response. In the cultural context of the Ancient Near East, standing up often signified readiness to act or speak. Job's standing up marks the beginning of his response to the devastating news he has just received.

tore his robe
Tearing one's robe was a common expression of grief and mourning in the ancient world, particularly in Hebrew culture. This act symbolized the rending of one's heart and soul in response to profound loss or distress. Similar expressions of grief are seen in Genesis 37:34 when Jacob mourns for Joseph, and in 2 Samuel 1:11 when David mourns for Saul and Jonathan.

and shaved his head
Shaving the head was another traditional sign of mourning and humility. It represented the stripping away of personal glory and pride, acknowledging human frailty before God. This act is seen in other biblical contexts, such as Isaiah 15:2 and Jeremiah 7:29, where it signifies deep sorrow and repentance.

He fell to the ground
Falling to the ground is an act of submission and humility, often associated with worship and prayer. It reflects Job's recognition of God's sovereignty even in the midst of his suffering. This posture is seen throughout scripture, such as in Genesis 17:3 when Abram falls facedown before God, and in Matthew 26:39 when Jesus falls to the ground in the Garden of Gethsemane.

and worshiped
Despite his immense loss, Job's response is one of worship, demonstrating his unwavering faith and reverence for God. This act of worship in the face of suffering is a profound testament to Job's character and faith. It echoes the call to worship God in all circumstances, as seen in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, and prefigures the ultimate example of suffering and submission in Jesus Christ, who remained obedient to the Father even unto death.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
A man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, known for his immense suffering and steadfast faith.

2. Tearing of the Robe
An ancient Near Eastern custom signifying deep grief or mourning. It was a physical expression of inner turmoil and distress.

3. Shaving of the Head
Another cultural expression of mourning and humility. It symbolized the stripping away of personal glory and pride.

4. Falling to the Ground
A posture of submission and humility before God, often associated with worship and prayer.

5. Worship
Despite his suffering, Job's immediate response was to worship God, demonstrating his unwavering faith and reverence.
Teaching Points
The Reality of Suffering
Suffering is a part of the human experience, even for the righteous. Job's response teaches us that it's okay to express grief and sorrow.

Authentic Worship
True worship is not dependent on circumstances. Job worshiped God in the midst of his suffering, showing that worship is an act of faith and trust.

Humility Before God
Job's actions of tearing his robe and shaving his head reflect a heart of humility. In our trials, we are called to humble ourselves before God.

Faith in Adversity
Job's immediate response to worship in his darkest moment is a powerful testament to his faith. We are encouraged to maintain our faith and trust in God, regardless of our circumstances.

Cultural Expressions of Grief
Understanding the cultural context of mourning practices in the Bible can deepen our appreciation for the emotional and spiritual depth of biblical accounts.(20) And worshipped.--Compare the conduct of David (2Samuel 12:20) and of Hezekiah (2Kings 19:1). Moments of intense sorrow or trial, like moments of intense joy, force us into the immediate presence of God.

Verse 20. - Then Job arose. Not till the last calamity was announced did Job stir. The loss of his wealth little moved him. But when he heard that his children were destroyed, all of them "at one fell swoop," then he could endure no longer, but rose from the seat on which he was sitting, and showed forth his grief. First he rent his mantle, "the outer robe worn by men of rank" (Cook) - a customary sign of grief in the ancient world (Genesis 37:29, 34; Genesis 44:13; 1 Kings 21:27; 2 Kings 19:1; Esther 4:1; Joel 2:13; Herod., 8:99; Livy, 1:13, etc.); then he shaved his head - another less usual but still not uncommon sign of grief, forbidden under the Law of the Jews (Leviticus 21:5; Deuteronomy 14:1), but widely practised by the Gentiles (Isaiah 15:2; Jeremiah 47:5; Jeremiah 48:37; Herod., 2:36; 9:24; Plut.,'Vit. Pelop.,' § 34; Q. Gurt.,'Vit. Alex.,' 10:5, § 17). And fell down upon the ground, and worshipped. After giving vent to his natural grief, Job made an act of adoration. Recognizing the fact that adversity, as well as prosperity comes from God, and submitting himself to the Divine will, he "worshipped." How often has his act flashed across the minds of Christians. and enabled them, in their dark hour, to imitate him, and repeat his words, "The Lord gave," etc.!

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then Job
אִיּוֹב֙ (’î·yō·wḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 347: Job -- a patriarch

stood up,
וַיָּ֤קָם (way·yā·qām)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

tore
וַיִּקְרַ֣ע (way·yiq·ra‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7167: To rend

his robe,
מְעִל֔וֹ (mə·‘i·lōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4598: A robe

and shaved
וַיָּ֖גָז (way·yā·ḡāz)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1494: To cut off, to shear a, flock, shave the hair, to destroy an enemy

his head.
רֹאשׁ֑וֹ (rō·šōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7218: The head

He fell
וַיִּפֹּ֥ל (way·yip·pōl)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

to the ground
אַ֖רְצָה (’ar·ṣāh)
Noun - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

and worshiped,
וַיִּשְׁתָּֽחוּ׃ (way·yiš·tā·ḥū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7812: To depress, prostrate


Links
Job 1:20 NIV
Job 1:20 NLT
Job 1:20 ESV
Job 1:20 NASB
Job 1:20 KJV

Job 1:20 BibleApps.com
Job 1:20 Biblia Paralela
Job 1:20 Chinese Bible
Job 1:20 French Bible
Job 1:20 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Job 1:20 Then Job arose and tore his robe (Jb)
Job 1:19
Top of Page
Top of Page