Job 1:20 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

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

Job arose - not necessarily from sitting. Inward excitement is implied, and the beginning to do anything. He had heard the other messages calmly, but on hearing of the death of his children, then he arose; or, as Eichhorn translates, 'he started up' (2 Samuel 13:31). The rending of the mantle, was the conventional mark of deep grief (Genesis 37:34). Orientals wear a tunic or shirt, and loose pantaloons, and over these a flowing mantle (especially great persons and women). Shaving the head was also usual in grief (Jeremiah 41:5; Micah 1:16).

Job 1:20

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