Job 42:11 | JFB | STEP | 11. It was Job's complaint in his misery that his "brethren," were "estranged" from him ( ); these now return with the return of his prosperity ( ; , ); the true friend loveth at all times ( ; ). "Swallow friends leave in the winter and return with the spring" [Henry]. eat bread-- in token of friendship ( ). piece of money-- Presents are usual in visiting a man of rank in the East, especially after a calamity ( ). Hebrew, kesita. Magee translates "a lamb" (the medium of exchange then before money was used), as it is in Margin of ; . But it is from the Arabic kasat, "weighed out" [Umbreit], not coined; so ; ; compare with , makes it likely it was equal to four shekels; Hebrew kashat, "pure," namely, metal. The term, instead of the usual "shekel," &c., is a mark of antiquity. earring-- whether for the nose or ear ( ; ). Much of the gold in the East, in the absence of banks, is in the shape of ornaments.

‏ Job 42:11

11. It was Job's complaint in his misery that his "brethren," were "estranged" from him (Job 19:13); these now return with the return of his prosperity (Pr 14:20; 19:6, 7); the true friend loveth at all times (Pr 17:17; 18:24). "Swallow friends leave in the winter and return with the spring" [Henry].

eat bread--in token of friendship (Psa 41:9).

piece of money--Presents are usual in visiting a man of rank in the East, especially after a calamity (2Ch 32:23). Hebrew, kesita. Magee translates "a lamb" (the medium of exchange then before money was used), as it is in Margin of Ge 33:19; Jos 24:32. But it is from the Arabic kasat, "weighed out" [Umbreit], not coined; so Ge 42:35; 33:19; compare with Ge 23:15, makes it likely it was equal to four shekels; Hebrew kashat, "pure," namely, metal. The term, instead of the usual "shekel," &c., is a mark of antiquity.

earring--whether for the nose or ear (Ge 35:4; Is 3:21). Much of the gold in the East, in the absence of banks, is in the shape of ornaments.