Texts · 27 · The Sage
What did Job say at the end?
Job's final words are notoriously hard to translate. Is it 'I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes,' or 'I am comforted that I am dust and ashes'?
The ending stays open.
Dig deeper
The King James and Jewish Publication Society versions differ. Stephen Mitchell notes the key verb means 'comfort' elsewhere in the book. Job may even be landing a final jab, glad to be human rather than the one who did this to him.
Bible reference: Job 42:2–6
Source: Why the Bible Began, pp. 431–432
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