Job 29:4-14

4 As I was in the prime of my days, When the 1friendship of God was over my tent;
5 When the Almighty was yet with me, And my children were around me;
6 When my steps were bathed in 2butter, And the 3rock poured out for me streams of oil!
7 "When I went out to 4the gate of the city, When I took my seat in the square,
8 The young men saw me and hid themselves, And the old men arose and stood.
9 "The princes 5stopped talking And 6put their hands on their mouths;
10 The voice of the nobles was 7hushed, And their 8tongue stuck to their palate.
11 "For when 9the ear heard, it called me blessed, And when the eye saw, it gave witness of me,
12 Because I delivered 10the poor who cried for help, And the 11orphan who had no helper.
13 "The blessing of the one 12ready to perish came upon me, And I made the 13widow's heart sing for joy.
14 "I 14put on righteousness, and it clothed me; My justice was like a robe and a turban.

Job 29:4-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 29

In this chapter Job gives an account of his former and wishes it was with him now as then; and which he describes with respect to his own person, and the favours he personally enjoyed, whether temporal or spiritual, Job 29:1-4; with respect to his family and domestic affairs, Job 29:5,6; with regard to the esteem he had from men of every age and station, Job 29:7-11; the reasons of which were the mercy and compassion he showed to the poor, the fatherless, and the widow, and the justice he administered in the execution of his office as a magistrate, Job 29:12-17; in which honour and prosperity he expected to have lived and died, Job 29:18-20; and which he further describes by the respect he had among men, and the power and authority he exercised over them, Job 29:21-25.

Cross References 14

  • 1. Job 15:8; Psalms 25:14; Proverbs 3:32
  • 2. Deuteronomy 32:14; Job 20:17
  • 3. Deuteronomy 32:13; Psalms 81:16
  • 4. Job 31:21
  • 5. Job 29:21
  • 6. Job 21:5
  • 7. Job 29:22
  • 8. Psalms 137:6
  • 9. Job 4:3, 4
  • 10. Job 24:4, 9; Job 34:28; Psalms 72:12; Proverbs 21:13
  • 11. Job 31:17, 21
  • 12. Job 31:19
  • 13. Job 22:9
  • 14. Job 27:5, 6; Psalms 132:9; Isaiah 59:17; Isaiah 61:10; Ephesians 6:14

Footnotes 5

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