Job 1:20 (KJV)

What does Job 1:20 mean?

Job 1:20 describes Job’s response to devastating news: he expresses deep grief and bows in worship. His torn clothing and shaved head make his sorrow visible, while his posture shows that his grief is joined with reverence toward God.

The narrator describes Job’s actions after the report that his children have died. Tearing an outer garment and shaving the head were recognizable signs of mourning in the ancient world. Job then lowers himself to the ground, a posture associated with showing honor or submission.

The Hebrew behind Job 1:20

• “mantle” — מְעִיל (meʿil): This word refers to an outer garment or robe. Job tears a visible piece of clothing as part of his response to the news.
• “worshipped” — שָׁחָה (shachah): This word carries the sense of bowing low or showing reverence. Here, the movement to the ground helps picture what worship looks like in Job’s response.

Why Job 1:20 matters

• Job’s mourning and worship happen together. The verse places his acts of grief alongside his bowing, rather than presenting them as competing responses.
• Job responds in action before the passage records his words. His speech follows in Job 1:21, giving voice to the response that began with his gestures.