Job 42:10 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

The Lord turned the captivity of Job— This phrase of turning, or causing to return the captivity, seems to have been overlooked, at least not thoroughly considered by the greater part of the commentators; some, however, have seen the whole force of the expression. The restitution was probably after this manner: Job, having been plundered, by the Sabaeans and Chaldeans, of his oxen, asses, and camels, was soon after so terribly afflicted in his person as to be utterly incapable of pursuing any measures in order to recover what had been violently taken from him. But on his miraculous recovery from his distemper, and his restoration to health and strength, he undoubtedly armed the servants of his family, and endeavoured to recover his own. His enemies, having heard of the terrible afflictions which had befallen him, in his person as well as in his possessions, were in full security, and under no apprehensions from him. His restoration therefore being instantaneous, as well as miraculous, he was enabled to fall unexpectedly on his enemies, and by God's particular blessing, not only to recover his own; but also, as a reparation for the injury they had done him, to take their stock of cattle likewise, by which means he was possessed of double the substance that he had before: so that not only his captivity returned, but Jehovah doubled his former riches. It was always esteemed among all nations just and honourable in war, for the injured person not only to recover his own from the persons who had injured him, but also to take whatever he could find belonging to the plunderer, by way of satisfaction for the injury. This appears clearly in the case of Abraham; See Genesis 14. That Job had a very large household, is plain from chap. Job 1:3 and that a great part of his household continued with him in the time of his affliction, though they treated him with great disrespect, is plain from several passages in chap. 19: And it is not improbable, that the men of the city, of whom he was principal in the time of his prosperity, (see chap. 29:) might on his restoration assist him in the recovery of his property, and in executing vengeance on his plunderers. Heath's Life of Job.