Job 1:20 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

Bible Comments

Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, Rent his mantle - Tearing the garments, shaving or pulling off the hair of the head, throwing dust or ashes on the head, and fitting on the ground, were acts by which immoderate grief was expressed. Job must have felt the bitterness of anguish when he was told that, in addition to the loss of all his property, he was deprived of his ten children by a violent death. Had he not felt this most poignantly, he would have been unworthy of the name of man.

Worshipped - Prostrated himself; lay all along upon the ground, with his face in the dust.

Job 1:20

20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle,j and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,