Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. New Living Translation Job scraped his skin with a piece of broken pottery as he sat among the ashes. English Standard Version And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes. Berean Standard Bible And Job took a piece of broken pottery to scrape himself as he sat among the ashes. King James Bible And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes. New King James Version And he took for himself a potsherd with which to scrape himself while he sat in the midst of the ashes. New American Standard Bible And Job took a piece of pottery to scrape himself while he was sitting in the ashes. NASB 1995 And he took a potsherd to scrape himself while he was sitting among the ashes. NASB 1977 And he took a potsherd to scrape himself while he was sitting among the ashes. Legacy Standard Bible And he took a potsherd to scrape himself while he was sitting among the ashes. Amplified Bible And Job took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself, and he sat [down] among the ashes (rubbish heaps). Christian Standard Bible Then Job took a piece of broken pottery to scrape himself while he sat among the ashes. Holman Christian Standard Bible Then Job took a piece of broken pottery to scrape himself while he sat among the ashes. American Standard Version And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself therewith; and he sat among the ashes. Contemporary English Version Then Job sat on the ash-heap to show his sorrow. And while he was scraping his sores with a broken piece of pottery, English Revised Version And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat among the ashes. GOD'S WORD® Translation Job took a piece of broken pottery to scratch himself as he sat in the ashes. Good News Translation Job went and sat by the garbage dump and took a piece of broken pottery to scrape his sores. International Standard Version Job took a broken piece of pottery to scrape himself while sitting among the ashes. Majority Standard Bible And Job took a piece of broken pottery to scrape himself as he sat among the ashes. NET Bible Job took a shard of broken pottery to scrape himself with while he was sitting among the ashes. New Heart English Bible And he took for himself a potsherd to scrape himself with while he sat among the ashes. Webster's Bible Translation And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself with it; and he sat down among the ashes. World English Bible He took for himself a potsherd to scrape himself with, and he sat among the ashes. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd he takes to him a potsherd to scrape himself with it, and he is sitting in the midst of the ashes. Young's Literal Translation And he taketh to him a potsherd to scrape himself with it, and he is sitting in the midst of the ashes. Smith's Literal Translation And he will take to him a pot sherd to scrape himself with it, and he will sit in the midst of the ashes. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he took a potsherd and scraped the corrupt matter, sitting on a dunghill. Catholic Public Domain Version So he took a shard of earthenware and scraped the discharge, while sitting on a heap of refuse. New American Bible He took a potsherd to scrape himself, as he sat among the ashes. New Revised Standard Version Job took a potsherd with which to scrape himself, and sat among the ashes. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he took a potsherd to scrape himself with it; and he sat down upon ashes. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And he took for himself a clay vessel to scrape himself and he was sitting down on the ashes OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself therewith; and he sat among the ashes. Brenton Septuagint Translation And he took a potsherd to scrape away the discharge, and sat upon a dung-heap outside the city. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Job Loses His Health…7So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and infected Job with terrible boils from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. 8And Job took a piece of broken pottery to scrape himself as he sat among the ashes. 9Then Job’s wife said to him, “Do you still retain your integrity? Curse God and die!”… Cross References Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. Lamentations 3:28-29 Let him sit alone in silence, for the LORD has laid it upon him. / Let him bury his face in the dust—perhaps there is still hope. Micah 1:8-9 Because of this I will lament and wail; I will walk barefoot and naked. I will howl like a jackal and mourn like an ostrich. / For her wound is incurable; it has reached even Judah; it has approached the gate of my people, as far as Jerusalem itself. Isaiah 1:6 From the sole of your foot to the top of your head, there is no soundness—only wounds and welts and festering sores neither cleansed nor bandaged nor soothed with oil. Jeremiah 6:26 O daughter of my people, dress yourselves in sackcloth and roll in ashes. Mourn with bitter wailing, as you would for an only son, for suddenly the destroyer will come upon us. Ezekiel 27:30-31 They will raise their voices for you and cry out bitterly. They will throw dust on their heads and roll in ashes. / They will shave their heads for you and wrap themselves in sackcloth. They will weep over you with anguish of soul and bitter mourning. Psalm 38:5-7 My wounds are foul and festering because of my sinful folly. / I am bent and brought low; all day long I go about mourning. / For my loins are full of burning pain, and no soundness remains in my body. Psalm 102:3-5 For my days vanish like smoke, and my bones burn like glowing embers. / My heart is afflicted, and withered like grass; I even forget to eat my bread. / Through my loud groaning my skin hangs on my bones. Isaiah 3:24 Instead of fragrance there will be a stench; instead of a belt, a rope; instead of styled hair, baldness; instead of fine clothing, sackcloth; instead of beauty, shame. Jeremiah 25:34 Wail, you shepherds, and cry out; roll in the dust, you leaders of the flock. For the days of your slaughter have come; you will fall and be shattered like fine pottery. Matthew 26:38 Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.” Luke 16:20-21 And a beggar named Lazarus lay at his gate, covered with sores / and longing to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. Mark 1:40-42 Then a leper came to Jesus, begging on his knees: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” / Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” / And immediately the leprosy left him, and the man was cleansed. Matthew 8:2-3 Suddenly a leper came and knelt before Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” / Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Luke 5:12-13 While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell facedown and begged Him, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” / Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. Treasury of Scripture And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself with; and he sat down among the ashes. took him. Job 19:14-17 My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me… Psalm 38:5,7 My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness… Luke 16:20,21 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, … he sat. Job 42:6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. 2 Samuel 13:19 And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying. Isaiah 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. Jump to Previous Ashes Bit Broken Dust Edge Job Midst Piece Pot Potsherd Pottery Rubbing Sat Scrape Scraped Seated Sharp Sitting Therewith WithalJump to Next Ashes Bit Broken Dust Edge Job Midst Piece Pot Potsherd Pottery Rubbing Sat Scrape Scraped Seated Sharp Sitting Therewith WithalJob 2 1. Satan, appearing again before God, obtains further leave to tempt Job.7. He afflicts him with sore boils. 9. Job reproves his wife, who moved him to curse God. 11. His three friends console with him in silence. And Job took a piece of broken pottery Job's action of taking a piece of broken pottery reflects his dire situation and the extremity of his suffering. In ancient times, pottery was a common household item, and broken pieces were often discarded. Job's use of such a shard indicates his reduced state, both physically and socially. This act symbolizes his humility and the depth of his affliction. The broken pottery can also be seen as a metaphor for Job's own brokenness and shattered life. In the broader biblical narrative, brokenness often precedes restoration, as seen in the lives of other biblical figures like Joseph and David. to scrape himself as he sat among the ashes Persons / Places / Events 1. JobA 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. Ashes In ancient times, sitting among ashes was a sign of mourning, repentance, or extreme distress. It symbolizes Job's deep sorrow and the gravity of his affliction. 3. Broken Pottery Represents the tools of Job's self-relief amidst his suffering. It signifies the depth of his physical and emotional pain, as he uses it to scrape his sores. 4. Satan's Challenge The event where Satan challenges God, claiming that Job's faithfulness is due to his prosperity. God allows Satan to test Job's faith by afflicting him with severe physical suffering. 5. Job's Suffering The event of Job being afflicted with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head, leading him to sit among the ashes and scrape himself with pottery. Teaching Points The Reality of SufferingJob's experience reminds us that suffering is a part of the human condition, even for the righteous. It challenges the notion that faithfulness to God guarantees a life free from pain. Humility in Affliction Job's act of sitting among the ashes is a powerful image of humility. In our own times of distress, we are called to humble ourselves before God, acknowledging our dependence on Him. Endurance and Faith Despite his intense suffering, Job does not curse God. His endurance is a testament to unwavering faith, encouraging believers to hold fast to their faith in trials. The Role of Lament Job's actions demonstrate that lament is a valid expression of faith. It is permissible to express our pain and confusion to God, trusting that He hears and understands. Community and Support Job's account highlights the importance of community. While his friends initially come to comfort him, their eventual failure underscores the need for compassionate and understanding support during trials.Verse 8. - And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal. "The surface of the integuments," says Dr. Quain, "is often much inflamed, and sometimes discharges a serous ichor, or chyle-like fluid, according to the extent to which the lymphatics are engaged in the particular ease" (ibid., p. 432). This "serous or lymph-like fluid" is occasionally "acrid and offensive." Job seems to have used his potsherd to scrape it away. And he sat down among the ashes. Not as a curative process, or even as an alleviation of his pains, but simply as was the custom of mourners (comp. Isaiah 47:3; Isaiah 58:5; Jeremiah 6:26; Ezekiel 27:30; Jonah 3:6). The LXX. renders, "on the dung-heap;" but this meaning, if a possible one, is highly improbable. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew And Job tookוַיִּֽקַּֽח־ (way·yiq·qaḥ-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3947: To take a piece of broken pottery חֶ֔רֶשׂ (ḥe·reś) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2789: Earthenware, earthen vessel, sherd, potsherd to scrape himself לְהִתְגָּרֵ֖ד (lə·hiṯ·gā·rêḏ) Preposition-l | Verb - Hitpael - Infinitive construct Strong's 1623: To scrape, scratch as he וְה֖וּא (wə·hū) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are sat יֹשֵׁ֥ב (yō·šêḇ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry among בְּתוֹךְ־ (bə·ṯō·wḵ-) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre the ashes. הָאֵֽפֶר׃ (hā·’ê·p̄er) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 665: Ashes Links Job 2:8 NIVJob 2:8 NLT Job 2:8 ESV Job 2:8 NASB Job 2:8 KJV Job 2:8 BibleApps.com Job 2:8 Biblia Paralela Job 2:8 Chinese Bible Job 2:8 French Bible Job 2:8 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Job 2:8 He took for himself a potsherd (Jb) |