Hebrew Bible Study
Hebrew Bible Study

Commentary for Job 42:10

וַֽיהוָ֗ה שָׁ֚ב אֶת־שבית [שְׁב֣וּת] אִיּ֔וֹב בְּהִֽתְפַּֽלְל֖וֹ בְּעַ֣ד רֵעֵ֑הוּ וַ֧יֹּסֶף יְהוָ֛ה אֶת־כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר לְאִיּ֖וֹב לְמִשְׁנֶֽה׃

And the LORD changed the fortune of Job, when he prayed for his friends; and the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

Rashi on Job

Now the Lord returned Job’s captivity when he prayed [The word] שָׁב is inappropriate in this matter, and it is as though it were written: “And He returned (נשאתי) Job’s captivity when he prayed.”
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Malbim on Job

Despite the terrible things they had said of him, Job intercedes with God on behalf of his three companions, just as he had in the past for his own children, and their offering is accepted. In reward for this generosity of spirit, God restored all Job’s losses and even doubled his fortune.
The book ends with God’s reconfirmation of Job’s virtue and integrity. All his losses are restored,1Nahmanides suggests that Job's children had not really been killed nor had his possessions actually been destroyed. They had all only been hidden from him by Satan who had sent the messengers with news of their loss. His children and possessions are now restored to him. The former are endowed with still greater beauty and the number of the latter is doubled. his friends and family are reconciled and Job lives out the rest of his long life in peace and contentment.
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Rashi on Job

for his friend In the merit that he prayed for each friend of his.
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Rashi on Job

twice as much Heb. למשנה, for one, two; and Scripture was not exact in its wording.
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