Job 42:6
New International Version
Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”

New Living Translation
I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.”

English Standard Version
therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”

Berean Standard Bible
Therefore I retract my words, and I repent in dust and ashes.”

King James Bible
Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

New King James Version
Therefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes.”

New American Standard Bible
Therefore I retract, And I repent, sitting on dust and ashes.”

NASB 1995
Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes.”

NASB 1977
Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore I reject myself, And I repent in dust and ashes.”

Amplified Bible
“Therefore I retract [my words and hate myself] And I repent in dust and ashes.”

Christian Standard Bible
Therefore, I reject my words and am sorry for them; I am dust and ashes.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Therefore I take back my words and repent in dust and ashes.

American Standard Version
Wherefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes.

Contemporary English Version
That's why I hate myself and sit here in dust and ashes to show my sorrow.

English Revised Version
Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
That is why I take back what I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show that I am sorry."

Good News Translation
So I am ashamed of all I have said and repent in dust and ashes.

International Standard Version
As a result, I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes."

Majority Standard Bible
Therefore I retract my words, and I repent in dust and ashes.”

NET Bible
Therefore I despise myself, and I repent in dust and ashes!

New Heart English Bible
Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes."

Webster's Bible Translation
Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

World English Bible
Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Therefore I loathe [it], "" And I have sighed on dust and ashes.”

Young's Literal Translation
Therefore do I loathe it, And I have repented on dust and ashes.

Smith's Literal Translation
For this, I shall melt away, and I lamented in dust and ashes.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Therefore I reprehend myself, and do penance in dust and ashes.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, I find myself reprehensible, and I will do penance in embers and ashes.

New American Bible
Therefore I disown what I have said, and repent in dust and ashes.

New Revised Standard Version
therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Therefore, I will keep silent, and repent in dust and ashes.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because of this I shall be silent and I shall be revived on the dust and on the ashes
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Wherefore I abhor my words, and repent, Seeing I am dust and ashes.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Wherefore I have counted myself vile, and have fainted: and I esteem myself dust and ashes.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Job Submits Himself to the LORD
5My ears had heard of You, but now my eyes have seen You. 6Therefore I retract my words, and I repent in dust and ashes.”

Cross References
Psalm 51:1-4
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. / Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. / For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. ...

Isaiah 6:5
Then I said: “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.”

Luke 18:13
But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’

James 4:9-10
Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom. / Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Daniel 9:4-5
And I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed, “O, Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of loving devotion to those who love Him and keep His commandments, / we have sinned and done wrong. We have acted wickedly and rebelled. We have turned away from Your commandments and ordinances.

Matthew 3:2
and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

Ezekiel 36:31
Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your iniquities and abominations.

2 Corinthians 7:10
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

Jeremiah 31:19
After I returned, I repented; and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh in grief. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’

Acts 3:19
Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,

Romans 2:4
Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?

Joel 2:12-13
“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” / So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.

Matthew 4:17
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

Hosea 14:1-2
Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled by your iniquity. / Bring your confessions and return to the LORD. Say to Him: “Take away all our iniquity and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit of our lips.


Treasury of Scripture

Why I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

I

Job 9:31
Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me.

Job 40:3,4
Then Job answered the LORD, and said, …

Ezra 9:6
And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.

repent

Job 2:8
And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.

Job 30:19
He hath cast me into the mire, and I am become like dust and ashes.

1 Kings 21:27
And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.

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Abhor Ashes Cause Despise Dust Loathe Repent Repented Retract Seat Sorrow Wherefore Witness Words
Job 42
1. Job submits himself unto God
7. God, preferring Job's cause, makes his friends submit themselves, and accepts him
10. He magnifies and blesses Job
16. Job's age and death














Therefore
The word "therefore" serves as a pivotal transition in Job 42:6, indicating a conclusion or result based on previous discourse. In the context of the Book of Job, this word signifies Job's response to the divine revelations and speeches from God. It marks a turning point where Job acknowledges the vastness of God's wisdom and the limitations of human understanding. The Hebrew root for "therefore" is "עַל־כֵּן" (al-ken), which often introduces a conclusion drawn from preceding arguments or experiences. This highlights the importance of reflection and humility in the face of divine wisdom.

I despise
The phrase "I despise" comes from the Hebrew word "מָאַס" (ma'as), which means to reject or to hold in contempt. In this context, Job is expressing a profound sense of self-repudiation. After encountering God's majesty and realizing his own limitations, Job rejects his previous assertions and complaints. This act of despising is not self-loathing but rather a recognition of his own inadequacy and a turning away from his former stance. It reflects a deep humility and a willingness to submit to God's greater understanding.

myself
The word "myself" in this verse is a translation of the Hebrew "עַל־עָפָר" (al-afar), which literally means "upon dust." This expression is a metaphor for Job's recognition of his own mortality and insignificance in comparison to God's eternal nature. It is a humbling acknowledgment of the human condition, emphasizing the need for reliance on divine wisdom rather than human pride. In the broader biblical context, it echoes the creation narrative where humanity is formed from dust, reminding readers of their origins and dependence on God.

and repent
The term "repent" is derived from the Hebrew "נָחַם" (nacham), which conveys a sense of regret, comfort, or change of mind. In this verse, it signifies Job's transformation in understanding and attitude. Repentance here is not merely about feeling sorry but involves a profound change in perspective and behavior. It is an acknowledgment of error and a commitment to align oneself with God's will. This repentance is a model for believers, illustrating the importance of turning away from self-reliance and towards divine guidance.

in dust and ashes
The phrase "in dust and ashes" is a traditional expression of mourning and penitence in the ancient Near Eastern culture. The Hebrew words "עָפָר וָאֵפֶר" (afar va-efer) symbolize humility and contrition. Dust and ashes are elements associated with mortality and the transient nature of life, serving as a reminder of human frailty. In the context of Job, this imagery underscores his complete submission and recognition of God's sovereignty. It is a powerful visual of repentance, illustrating the depth of Job's transformation and his renewed relationship with God. This act of sitting in dust and ashes is a call for believers to embrace humility and seek reconciliation with God through genuine repentance.

Verse 6. - Wherefore I abhor myself; or, I loathe my words (see the Revised Version). And repent in dust and ashes. Job was still sitting on the ash-heap on which he had thrown himself when his disease first smote him (Job 2:8). He had thrown himself on it in grief and de, pair; he will remain seated on it in compunction and penitence. His self-humiliation is now complete. He does not retract what he has said concerning his essential integrity, but he admits that his words have been overbold, and his attitude towards God one unbefitting a creature. God accepts his submission, and proceeds to vindicate him to his "friends," and to visit them with condemnation.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Therefore
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

I retract [my words],
אֶמְאַ֣ס (’em·’as)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3988: To spurn, to disappear

and I repent
וְנִחַ֑מְתִּי (wə·ni·ḥam·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5162: To sigh, breathe strongly, to be sorry, to pity, console, rue, to avenge

in
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

dust
עָפָ֥ר (‘ā·p̄ār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6083: Dust, clay, earth, mud

and ashes.”
וָאֵֽפֶר׃ (wā·’ê·p̄er)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 665: Ashes


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OT Poetry: Job 42:6 Therefore I abhor myself and repent (Jb)
Job 42:5
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