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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Job 2:12 When they lifted up their eyes from afar, they could barely recognize Job. They began to weep aloud, and each man tore his robe and threw dust in the air over his head.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/2-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/18_Job_02_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 2:12 - Job's Three Friends" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When they lifted up their eyes from afar, they could barely recognize Job. 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Wailing loudly, they tore their robes and threw dust into the air over their heads to show their grief. <a href="/esv/job/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> And when they saw him from a distance, they did not recognize him. And they raised their voices and wept, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads toward heaven. <a href="/bsb/job/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> When they lifted up their eyes from afar, they could barely recognize Job. They began to weep aloud, and each man tore his robe and threw dust in the air over his head. <a href="/kjv/job/2.htm">King James Bible</a> And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven. <a href="/nkjv/job/2.htm">New King James Version</a> And when they raised their eyes from afar, and did not recognize him, they lifted their voices and wept; and each one tore his robe and sprinkled dust on his head toward heaven. <a href="/nasb_/job/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> When they looked from a distance and did not recognize him, they raised their voices and wept. And each of them tore his robe, and they threw dust over their heads toward the sky. <a href="/nasb/job/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> When they lifted up their eyes at a distance and did not recognize him, they raised their voices and wept. And each of them tore his robe and they threw dust over their heads toward the sky. <a href="/nasb77/job/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And when they lifted up their eyes at a distance, and did not recognize him, they raised their voices and wept. And each of them tore his robe, and they threw dust over their heads toward the sky. <a href="/lsb/job/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then they lifted up their eyes at a distance and did not recognize him, and they lifted up their voices and wept. And each of them tore his robe, and they threw dust over their heads toward the sky. <a href="/amp/job/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> When they looked from a distance and did not recognize him [because of his disfigurement], they raised their voices and wept; and each one tore his robe [in grief] and they threw dust over their heads toward the sky [in sorrow]. <a href="/csb/job/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> When they looked from a distance, they could barely recognize him. They wept aloud, and each man tore his robe and threw dust into the air and on his head. <a href="/hcsb/job/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> When they looked from a distance, they could barely recognize him. They wept aloud, and each man tore his robe and threw dust into the air and on his head. <a href="/asv/job/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his robe, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven. <a href="/cev/job/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> When they came near enough to see Job, they could hardly recognize him. And in their great sorrow, they tore their clothes, then sprinkled dust on their heads and cried bitterly. <a href="/erv/job/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven. <a href="/gwt/job/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> When they saw him from a distance, they didn't even recognize him. They cried out loud and wept, and each of them tore his own clothes in grief. They threw dust on their heads. <a href="/gnt/job/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> While they were still a long way off they saw Job, but did not recognize him. When they did, they began to weep and wail, tearing their clothes in grief and throwing dust into the air and on their heads. <a href="/isv/job/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> Observing him from a distance, at first they didn't even recognize him, so they raised their voices and burst into tears. They each ripped their robes, threw ashes into the air on their heads, <a href="/msb/job/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> When they lifted up their eyes from afar, they could barely recognize Job. They began to weep aloud, and each man tore his robe and threw dust in the air over his head. <a href="/net/job/2.htm">NET Bible</a> But when they gazed intently from a distance but did not recognize him, they began to weep loudly. Each of them tore his robes, and they threw dust into the air over their heads. <a href="/nheb/job/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> When they lifted up their eyes from a distance, and did not recognize him, they raised their voices, and wept; and they each tore his robe, and threw dust in the air over their heads. <a href="/wbt/job/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they raised their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads towards heaven. <a href="/web/job/2.htm">World English Bible</a> When they lifted up their eyes from a distance, and didn’t recognize him, they raised their voices, and wept; and they each tore his robe, and sprinkled dust on their heads toward the sky. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/job/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and they lift up their eyes from afar and have not discerned him, and they lift up their voice and weep, and each tears his robe, and sprinkle dust on their heads—heavenward. <a href="/ylt/job/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and they lift up their eyes from afar and have not discerned him, and they lift up their voice and weep, and rend each his robe, and sprinkle dust on their heads -- heavenward. <a href="/slt/job/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And they will lift up their eyes from far off, and they knew him not, and they will lift up their voice and weep; and they will rend each his covering, and they will sprinkle dust upon their heads to the heavens.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/job/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And when they had lifted up their eyes afar off, they knew him not, and crying out they wept, and rending their garments they sprinkled dust upon their heads towards heaven. <a href="/cpdv/job/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And when they had raised up their eyes from a distance, they did not recognize him, and, crying out, they wept, and, tearing their garments, they scattered dust over their heads into the sky. <a href="/nabre/job/2.htm">New American Bible</a> But when, at a distance, they lifted up their eyes and did not recognize him, they began to weep aloud; they tore their cloaks and threw dust into the air over their heads. <a href="/nrsvce/job/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> When they saw him from a distance, they did not recognize him, and they raised their voices and wept aloud; they tore their robes and threw dust in the air upon their heads.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/job/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And when they lifted up their eyes from afar, they did not recognize him, and they lifted up their voices, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and threw dust upon their heads toward the heaven. <a href="/hpbt/job/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And they lifted up their eyes from a distance and they did not recognize him, and they lifted up their voice and wept, and they ripped, each man his cloak, and they sprinkled dust on their heads toward Heaven<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/job/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and threw dust upon their heads toward heaven. <a href="/sep/job/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And when they saw him from a distance they did not know him; and they cried with a loud voice, and wept, and rent every one his garment, and sprinkled dust upon their heads, <a href="/parallel/job/2-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XAwuD5NuZq0?start=349" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/job/2.htm">Job's Three Friends</a> 11Now when Job’s three friends—Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite—heard about all this adversity that had come upon him, each of them came from his home, and they met together to go and sympathize with Job and comfort him. 12<a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: way·yiś·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">When they lifted up</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: ‘ê·nê·hem (N-cdc:: 3mp) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">their eyes</a> <a href="/hebrew/7350.htm" title="7350: mê·rā·ḥō·wq (Prep-m:: Adj-ms) -- Or rachoq; from rachaq; remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially.">from afar,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">they could barely</a> <a href="/hebrew/5234.htm" title="5234: hik·kî·ru·hū (V-Hifil-Perf-3cp:: 3ms) -- To regard, recognize. ">recognize Job.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1058.htm" title="1058: way·yiḇ·kū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To weep, bewail. A primitive root; to weep; generally to bemoan.">They began to weep</a> <a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: way·yiś·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">aloud,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6963.htm" title="6963: qō·w·lām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- Sound, voice. Or qol; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound."></a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">and each man</a> <a href="/hebrew/7167.htm" title="7167: way·yiq·rə·‘ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To tear. A primitive root; to rend, literally or figuratively.">tore</a> <a href="/hebrew/4598.htm" title="4598: mə·‘i·lōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A robe. From ma'al in the sense of covering; a robe.">his robe</a> <a href="/hebrew/2236.htm" title="2236: way·yiz·rə·qū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- Be here and there, scatter, sprinkle, strew. A primitive root; to sprinkle.">and threw</a> <a href="/hebrew/6083.htm" title="6083: ‘ā·p̄ār (N-ms) -- Dry earth, dust. From aphar; dust; hence, clay, earth, mud.">dust</a> <a href="/hebrew/8064.htm" title="8064: haš·šā·mā·yə·māh (Art:: N-mp:: 3fs) -- Heaven, sky. Dual of an unused singular shameh; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky.">in the air</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">over</a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: rā·šê·hem (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">his head.</a> 13Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights, but no one spoke a word to him because they saw how intense his suffering was.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/job/42-11.htm">Job 42:11</a> All his brothers and sisters and prior acquaintances came and dined with him in his house. They consoled him and comforted him over all the adversity that the LORD had brought upon him. And each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring. <a href="/lamentations/2-10.htm">Lamentations 2:10</a> The elders of the Daughter of Zion sit on the ground in silence. They have thrown dust on their heads and put on sackcloth. The young women of Jerusalem have bowed their heads to the ground. <a href="/genesis/37-34.htm">Genesis 37:34</a> Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days. <a href="/ezekiel/27-30.htm">Ezekiel 27:30-31</a> 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. <a href="/isaiah/15-3.htm">Isaiah 15:3</a> In its streets they wear sackcloth; on the rooftops and in the public squares they all wail, falling down weeping. <a href="/jeremiah/48-37.htm">Jeremiah 48:37</a> For every head is shaved and every beard is clipped; on every hand is a gash, and around every waist is sackcloth. <a href="/1_samuel/4-12.htm">1 Samuel 4:12</a> That same day a Benjamite ran from the battle line all the way to Shiloh, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. <a href="/2_samuel/1-11.htm">2 Samuel 1:11-12</a> Then David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and all the men who were with him did the same. / They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the people of the LORD and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. <a href="/esther/4-1.htm">Esther 4:1</a> When Mordecai learned of all that had happened, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the middle of the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. <a href="/nehemiah/1-4.htm">Nehemiah 1:4</a> When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. <a href="/matthew/26-75.htm">Matthew 26:75</a> Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. <a href="/luke/19-41.htm">Luke 19:41</a> As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it <a href="/john/11-33.htm">John 11:33-35</a> When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. / “Where have you put him?” He asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they answered. / Jesus wept. <a href="/romans/12-15.htm">Romans 12:15</a> Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. <a href="/1_corinthians/12-26.htm">1 Corinthians 12:26</a> If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust on their heads toward heaven.knew him.<a href="/job/19-14.htm">Job 19:14</a> My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me.<a href="/ruth/1-19.htm">Ruth 1:19-21</a> So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi? … <a href="/lamentations/4-7.htm">Lamentations 4:7,8</a> Her Nazarites were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing was of sapphire: … their voice.<a href="/genesis/27-34.htm">Genesis 27:34</a> And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father.<a href="/judges/2-4.htm">Judges 2:4</a> And it came to pass, when the angel of the LORD spake these words unto all the children of Israel, that the people lifted up their voice, and wept.<a href="/1_samuel/11-4.htm">1 Samuel 11:4</a> Then came the messengers to Gibeah of Saul, and told the tidings in the ears of the people: and all the people lifted up their voices, and wept.they rent.<a href="/job/1-20.htm">Job 1:20</a> Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,sprinkled dust upon.<a href="/nehemiah/9-1.htm">Nehemiah 9:1</a> Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them.<a href="/lamentations/2-10.htm">Lamentations 2:10</a> The elders of the daughter of Zion sit upon the ground, and keep silence: they have cast up dust upon their heads; they have girded themselves with sackcloth: the virgins of Jerusalem hang down their heads to the ground.<a href="/ezekiel/27-30.htm">Ezekiel 27:30</a> And shall cause their voice to be heard against thee, and shall cry bitterly, and shall cast up dust upon their heads, they shall wallow themselves in the ashes:<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/nehemiah/12-43.htm">Afar</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-1.htm">Aloud</a> <a href="/esther/4-1.htm">Bitter</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/18-29.htm">Change</a> <a href="/ezra/3-13.htm">Distance</a> <a href="/job/2-8.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/esther/8-5.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/job/1-8.htm">Far</a> <a href="/esther/6-12.htm">Grief</a> <a href="/exodus/13-15.htm">Hardly</a> <a href="/esther/5-11.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/job/1-16.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/job/2-10.htm">Job</a> <a href="/esther/5-11.htm">Lifted</a> <a href="/job/1-20.htm">Mantle</a> <a href="/esther/10-2.htm">Raised</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-39.htm">Recognize</a> <a href="/job/1-20.htm">Rent</a> <a href="/job/1-20.htm">Robe</a> <a href="/esther/8-15.htm">Robes</a> <a href="/esther/8-5.htm">Seem</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-10.htm">Signs</a> <a href="/job/1-16.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/35-11.htm">Sprinkled</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-8.htm">Threw</a> <a href="/job/1-20.htm">Tore</a> <a href="/esther/8-4.htm">Towards</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-13.htm">Voice</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/15-16.htm">Voices</a> <a href="/esther/4-17.htm">Way</a> <a href="/nehemiah/8-9.htm">Weep</a> <a href="/esther/4-3.htm">Weeping</a> <a href="/esther/8-3.htm">Wept</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/28-4.htm">Afar</a> <a href="/job/19-7.htm">Aloud</a> <a href="/job/3-20.htm">Bitter</a> <a href="/job/9-27.htm">Change</a> <a href="/job/30-10.htm">Distance</a> <a href="/job/4-19.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/job/3-9.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/job/5-4.htm">Far</a> <a href="/job/2-13.htm">Grief</a> <a href="/job/19-3.htm">Hardly</a> <a href="/job/15-29.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/job/11-8.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/job/3-1.htm">Job</a> <a href="/job/4-4.htm">Lifted</a> <a href="/job/29-14.htm">Mantle</a> <a href="/job/14-12.htm">Raised</a> <a href="/job/21-29.htm">Recognize</a> <a href="/job/26-8.htm">Rent</a> <a href="/job/13-28.htm">Robe</a> <a href="/psalms/22-18.htm">Robes</a> <a href="/job/6-26.htm">Seem</a> <a href="/job/21-29.htm">Signs</a> <a href="/job/12-7.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-17.htm">Sprinkled</a> <a href="/job/31-27.htm">Threw</a> <a href="/psalms/35-15.htm">Tore</a> <a href="/job/11-13.htm">Towards</a> <a href="/job/3-7.htm">Voice</a> <a href="/job/28-26.htm">Voices</a> <a href="/job/3-23.htm">Way</a> <a href="/job/27-15.htm">Weep</a> <a href="/job/16-16.htm">Weeping</a> <a href="/job/30-25.htm">Wept</a><div class="vheading2">Job 2</div>1. <a href="/job/2-1.htm">Satan, appearing again before God, obtains further leave to tempt Job.</a> 7. <a href="/job/2-7.htm">He afflicts him with sore boils.</a> 9. <a href="/job/2-9.htm">Job reproves his wife, who moved him to curse God.</a> 11. <a href="/job/2-11.htm">His three friends console with him in silence.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/job/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>When they lifted up their eyes from afar This phrase indicates the arrival of Job's three friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar—who came to comfort him. The act of lifting their eyes from afar suggests a deliberate journey and a moment of realization as they approach Job. In ancient Near Eastern culture, friends and family would often travel long distances to offer support during times of mourning or distress. This reflects the importance of community and solidarity in times of suffering.they could barely recognize Job Job's physical appearance had drastically changed due to his severe afflictions. This transformation was so profound that even his closest friends struggled to recognize him. This highlights the extent of Job's suffering and serves as a visual representation of his inner turmoil. The disfigurement can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual and emotional trials he was enduring. This also echoes the theme of human frailty and the impact of suffering on one's identity.They began to weep aloud The friends' reaction of weeping aloud is a traditional expression of grief and empathy in ancient cultures. Public displays of mourning were common, and crying out loud was a way to share in the sorrow of the afflicted. This act demonstrates their genuine compassion and the depth of their emotional response to Job's condition. It also sets the stage for the dialogues that follow, where their initial empathy turns into a theological debate.and each man tore his robe Tearing one's robe was a customary sign of mourning and distress in the ancient world. This act symbolized the rending of one's heart and was a physical manifestation of inner grief. It is seen throughout the Bible as a response to tragedy or blasphemy (e.g., <a href="/genesis/37-29.htm">Genesis 37:29</a>, <a href="/2_samuel/1-11.htm">2 Samuel 1:11</a>). The tearing of robes by Job's friends signifies their shared sorrow and the gravity of Job's situation.and threw dust in the air over his head Throwing dust in the air and onto one's head was another traditional mourning practice, symbolizing humility and mortality. Dust is a reminder of human frailty and the creation narrative where man is formed from the dust of the ground (<a href="/genesis/2-7.htm">Genesis 2:7</a>). This act can also be seen as a gesture of solidarity with Job, acknowledging the depth of his suffering and the shared human condition. It underscores the theme of returning to dust, a motif that resonates with the transient nature of life and the hope of resurrection.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a> A man of great faith and integrity, who is undergoing severe trials and suffering. 2. <a href="/topical/e/eliphaz,_bildad,_and_zophar.htm">Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar</a> Job's three friends who come to comfort him in his time of distress. 3. <a href="/topical/u/uz.htm">Uz</a> The land where Job lived, often associated with the region east of Israel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/e/empathy_in_suffering.htm">Empathy in Suffering</a> Job's friends initially show empathy by weeping and mourning with him. This teaches us the importance of being present and sharing in the grief of others. <a href="/topical/c/cultural_expressions_of_grief.htm">Cultural Expressions of Grief</a> The tearing of robes and throwing dust are cultural expressions of mourning. Understanding these helps us appreciate the depth of emotion in biblical accounts. <a href="/topical/r/recognizing_true_suffering.htm">Recognizing True Suffering</a> The friends did not recognize Job due to his suffering. This highlights how trials can deeply affect a person's appearance and demeanor, reminding us to look beyond the surface. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_silence.htm">The Role of Silence</a> Initially, Job's friends sit in silence with him for seven days. This can teach us the value of silent support rather than rushing to offer solutions or explanations. <a href="/topical/t/the_limits_of_human_comfort.htm">The Limits of Human Comfort</a> Despite their intentions, Job's friends eventually fail to comfort him adequately. This reminds us of the limitations of human comfort and the need for divine intervention.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/job/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) And knew him not.--Compare the converse statement descriptive of the love of mm who could recognise his lost son under a disguise as great as that of Job, or even greater (<a href="/luke/15-20.htm" title="And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.">Luke 15:20</a>).<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 12. - And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not. Job was seated on an ash-heap outside his dwelling (ver. 8). The three friends, who had probably met by agreement at some point near his residence, and drew nigh together, saw the figure at some distance, and looked to see who it was. But Job was so disfigured by the disease that they failed to recognize him. They lifted up their voice, and wept. In the clamorous manner of Orientals (comp. Herod., 2:14; 3:119; 8:99; 9:24; and AEschylus, 'Persae" passim). And they rent every one his mantle (see the comment on Job 1:20), and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven (comp. <a href="/joshua/7-6.htm">Joshua 7:6</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/4-12.htm">1 Samuel 4:12</a>; <a href="/2_samuel/1-2.htm">2 Samuel 1:2</a>; <a href="/2_samuel/13-19.htm">2 Samuel 13:19</a>; <a href="/nehemiah/9-1.htm">Nehemiah 9:1</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/27-30.htm">Ezekiel 27:30</a>; <a href="/lamentations/2-10.htm">Lamentations 2:10</a>; and see also Homer, 'I1,' 18:22-24; Helioder, ' Hist. Æth.; 1.) <a href="/commentaries/job/2-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>When they lifted וַיִּשְׂא֨וּ (way·yiś·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> To lift, carry, take up their eyes עֵינֵיהֶ֤ם (‘ê·nê·hem) Noun - cdc | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> An eye, a fountain from afar, מֵרָחוֹק֙ (mê·rā·ḥō·wq) Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7350.htm">Strong's 7350: </a> Remote, of place, time, precious they could barely וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no recognize [Job]. הִכִּירֻ֔הוּ (hik·kî·ru·hū) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5234.htm">Strong's 5234: </a> To regard, recognize They began to weep וַיִּבְכּ֑וּ (way·yiḇ·kū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1058.htm">Strong's 1058: </a> To weep, to bemoan aloud, וַיִּשְׂא֥וּ (way·yiś·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> To lift, carry, take and each man אִ֣ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person tore וַֽיִּקְרְעוּ֙ (way·yiq·rə·‘ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7167.htm">Strong's 7167: </a> To rend his robe מְעִל֔וֹ (mə·‘i·lōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4598.htm">Strong's 4598: </a> A robe and threw וַיִּזְרְק֥וּ (way·yiz·rə·qū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2236.htm">Strong's 2236: </a> Be here and there, scatter, sprinkle, strew dust עָפָ֛ר (‘ā·p̄ār) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6083.htm">Strong's 6083: </a> Dust, clay, earth, mud into the air הַשָּׁמָֽיְמָה׃ (haš·šā·mā·yə·māh) Article | Noun - masculine plural | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8064.htm">Strong's 8064: </a> Heaven, sky over עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against his head. רָאשֵׁיהֶ֖ם (rā·šê·hem) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> The head <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/2-12.htm">Job 2:12 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/job/2-12.htm">Job 2:12 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/job/2-12.htm">Job 2:12 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/job/2-12.htm">Job 2:12 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/job/2-12.htm">Job 2:12 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/job/2-12.htm">Job 2:12 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/2-12.htm">Job 2:12 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/2-12.htm">Job 2:12 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/job/2-12.htm">Job 2:12 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/job/2-12.htm">Job 2:12 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/job/2-12.htm">OT Poetry: Job 2:12 When they lifted up their eyes (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/2-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 2:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 2:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/2-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 2:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 2:13" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>