Job 29:11

11 People who knew me spoke well of me; my reputation went ahead of me.

Job 29:11 Meaning and Commentary

Job 29:11

When the ear heard [me], then it blessed me
The ear of the common people assembled together to hear causes tried, and how they would go; when they heard Job give his opinion in court, or the definitive sentence passed by him as a judge, they all applauded his wisdom and justice; they highly praised and commended him; in which sense the word "blessed" is used, ( Proverbs 31:28 ) ; or they wished a blessing on him; they prayed for his welfare, as it becomes people to do for those that are in authority, especially wise and faithful magistrates; or they accounted him a blessed man, and called him so, ( Luke 1:48 ) ; as he was, both in a temporal sense, being blessed with a great plenty of earthly things, and also blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ, with an abundance of grace, and with a title to eternal glory; as well as he was blessed as a magistrate, with great wisdom, and with great integrity and uprightness in the discharge of his office:

and when the eye saw [me], it gave witness to me:
of his gracefulness and gravity, of his honesty and faithfulness, of his good behaviour among his neighbours, and of his wise conduct in the courts of judicature.

Job 29:11 In-Context

9 When I spoke, everyone listened;
10 they hung on my every word.
11 People who knew me spoke well of me; my reputation went ahead of me.
12 I was known for helping people in trouble and standing up for those who were down on their luck.
13 The dying blessed me, and the bereaved were cheered by my visits.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.