Who were the three daughters of Job?

Historical and Literary Setting

Job is introduced as a man of remarkable faith and integrity in the land of Uz (Job 1:1). Although Scripture does not specify an exact location for Uz, archaeological and textual research often associates it with regions east of Israel, near Arabia or Edom. Understanding the setting provides a foundation for exploring the details of Job’s family. The Book of Job recounts both his affliction and his subsequent restoration; at the end of his trials, he is blessed with renewed prosperity, including seven sons and three daughters.

Biblical References

In the opening of Job, we are told:

“Seven sons and three daughters were born to him” (Job 1:2).

Later in the text, after Job’s faithfulness under tremendous suffering, the Lord restores him and gives him new offspring. Scripture specifically names the three daughters in Job 42:14–15:

• “He named his first daughter Jemimah, his second Keziah, and his third Keren-happuch.”

• “No women as beautiful as Job’s daughters could be found in all the land, and their father granted them an inheritance among their brothers.”

Identities and Names of Job’s Daughters

1. Jemimah – The name Jemimah (יְמִימָה) is sometimes understood to mean “daylight” or “dove.” Scholars note that the Hebrew root may allude to brightness or warmth, suggesting a dawn-like quality. This name has also been connected in some commentaries to beauty and renewal.

2. Keziah – This name (קְצִיעָה) generally refers to the spice “cassia” (similar to cinnamon). In the ancient Near East, spices were often symbols of fragrance, wealth, and health—traits signifying the blessings and abundance Job experienced after his trials.

3. Keren-happuch – The name Keren-happuch (קֶרֶן הַפּוּךְ) literally translates to “horn of eye paint” or “horn of cosmetic.” In biblical times, eye paint (often made from antimony or similar minerals) was carried in a small horn-shaped container. The image connotes adornment, indicating both affluence and the high status restored to Job’s family.

Cultural and Historical Significance of Inheritance

A striking detail is that Job “granted them an inheritance among their brothers” (Job 42:15). In ancient patriarchal society, daughters typically did not inherit if there were surviving sons, which makes this instance quite exceptional. The record of the daughters receiving an equal share testifies to Job’s honored view of them and underlines God’s favor in blessing Job’s entire household. This provision may also foreshadow broader biblical principles regarding God’s care for all His children (cf. Numbers 27:1–8, where Zelophehad’s daughters receive inheritance rights).

Chronological Considerations

Many who hold a traditional chronology, akin to the Ussher timeline, place Job in the era of the patriarchs—roughly contemporaneous with or slightly preceding Abraham. The genealogical and cultural parallels suggest a period in which wealth was measured largely in livestock, servants, and land (Job 1:3), consistent with patriarchal customs. Job’s lifespan, wealth, and family structures align well with a literal, historical understanding of the account.

Archaeological and Textual Corroboration

Direct mention of Jemimah, Keziah, and Keren-happuch does not appear in extra-biblical inscriptions, given the limited personal records that survive from this time. Nevertheless, manuscript evidence for the Book of Job stands robust when compared to other ancient Near Eastern texts. The consistency of the Masoretic Text, confirmed by fragments among the Dead Sea Scrolls, underscores the reliable transmission of these details. While outside documents do not name these daughters specifically, the longstanding acceptance of Job’s account within Judaism and Christianity (including references in James 5:11) underscores its authenticity and importance.

Theological Reflections

Job’s three daughters symbolize restoration, beauty, and blessing in the wake of grief. Their appearance in the narrative is a statement of God’s grace: just as Job’s losses were great, so too was the renewal he experienced. Their distinct names, each with its own connotation of fragrance, brightness, and adornment, serve as reminders that the Lord’s mercy can bring forth renewed joy and honor after suffering.

Additionally, their inheritance illustrates that God’s blessings and purposes transcend conventional customs. The gracious act of Job in bestowing inheritance not only illustrates his generosity but also serves as a reflection of divine kindness—where God’s provision extends beyond normal social expectations.

Summary and Key Takeaways

• Job’s three daughters—Jemimah, Keziah, and Keren-happuch—are specifically named at the end of the Book of Job.

• They exemplify God’s restored blessing and favor upon Job after his immense trials.

• Their inheritance among brothers was culturally extraordinary, highlighting the exceptional nature of God’s restoration to Job’s family.

• Though little else is stated about them, Scripture underscores their beauty and the fact that they received an equal portion, symbolizing God’s lavish generosity.

The account of Job’s daughters stands as a testament to hope, the faithfulness of God, and the surprising ways the Lord offers restoration. Their story reflects God’s compassion for the oppressed and the afflicted, assuring believers and enquirers alike that no trial is beyond the scope of divine redemption.