Why did Job name his daughter "Jemimah" in Job 42:14? Job 42:14 in context “The first daughter he named Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the third Keren-happuch.” (Job 42:14) • These names are given immediately after God restores Job’s fortunes (Job 42:10-13). • Scripture notes that Job’s daughters were exceptionally beautiful and that they received an inheritance alongside their brothers (Job 42:15). The meaning behind “Jemimah” • Hebrew: יְמִימָה (Yemimah). • Commonly translated “dove”; many scholars also see the idea of “daylight” or “bright as the day.” • Both ideas—dove and daylight—fit seamlessly with the themes of peace and new beginnings. Biblical symbolism tied to the name • Dove = peace, purity, and the settled presence of God. – Genesis 8:11: Noah’s dove returns with an olive leaf, signaling the end of judgment. – Matthew 3:16: “the Spirit of God descending like a dove” upon Jesus. • Daylight/Dawn = the end of darkness and the arrival of hope. – Psalm 30:5: “Weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning.” – Isaiah 58:8: “Then your light will break forth like the dawn…” – Proverbs 4:18: “The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.” Why Job likely chose the name • God had just turned Job’s long night of suffering into a new day of blessing; “Jemimah” celebrates that turning point. • After chaos and conflict with his friends, Job experiences God-given peace—beautifully pictured by a dove. • Naming his first daughter “Jemimah” sets the tone for the other two names (Keziah = fragrant spice, Keren-happuch = radiant color), all highlighting the freshness, beauty, and abundance of his restored life. Practical takeaways • God can bring dawn after the darkest night; trust Him to write the next chapter. • Our words—including the names we give—can testify to God’s faithfulness. • The peace symbolized by a dove is not merely poetic; it is the lived reality of those whom God restores (Philippians 4:7). Key verses to remember – Job 42:12 (“So the LORD blessed Job’s latter days more than his former days…”) |
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