Job 42:15 (KJV)

What does Job 42:15 mean?

Job 42:15 says that Job’s daughters were the most beautiful women in the land, and that Job gave them an inheritance along with their brothers. This was unusual for the time, showing both their exceptional status and Job’s generosity.

The verse comes near the end of the book, after Job’s fortunes have been restored. The narrator describes Job’s family and prosperity, highlighting the beauty of his daughters and the fact that he treated them with honor by giving them an inheritance—something typically reserved for sons in that culture.

The Hebrew behind Job 42:15

• "Inheritance" (נַחֲלָה, nachalah): This word means a portion or property passed down, usually to sons. The verse’s use of נַחֲלָה for Job’s daughters underlines how unusual and generous Job’s action was.
• "Among" (בְּתוֹךְ, betokh): This word means "in the midst of" or "among." It emphasizes that the daughters received their inheritance right alongside their brothers, not separately or as an afterthought.
• "Fair" (יָפֶה, yafeh): This word means beautiful or attractive. The verse stresses that Job’s daughters stood out for their beauty, which is part of why they are mentioned by name.

Why Job 42:15 matters

• Job’s act of giving his daughters an inheritance alongside their brothers breaks with the usual customs of the time, highlighting his sense of justice and generosity.
• The verse draws special attention to Job’s daughters, even naming them earlier, which is rare in Old Testament genealogies and signals their importance in the story.
• This detail helps show the completeness of Job’s restoration—not only did he regain wealth and family, but he also acted with unusual kindness and honor toward his children.