“He had also seven sons and three daughters.”
The narrative continues: 'And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Keren-happuch.' The three daughters are named. The names have significance: Jemima suggests 'dove,' Kezia refers to a spice (cinnamon), and Keren-happuch suggests 'horn of eye-paint' or horn of blessing. The specific naming of the daughters (contrasting with the sons, who are unnamed) suggests their importance and perhaps their beauty (suggested by the reference to cosmetics). The verse establishes that the daughters born to Job after his affliction are themselves blessed and significant. The specific naming gives them individuality and dignity.
Church Fathers on Job 42:13
And he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses; and he had seven sons, and three daughters. That he had had seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, before the trial of his scourging, the preface of this same history points out to us. Those things which were lost through his scourging, were now restored twofold. But as many children were restored…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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