Job 29:10-20

10 The chiefs kept back their words, and their tongues were joined to the roofs of their mouths.

11 For when it came to their ears, men said that I was truly happy; and when their eyes saw, they gave witness to me;

12 For I was a saviour to the poor when he was crying for help, to the child with no father, and to him who had no supporter.

13 The blessing of him who was near to destruction came on me, and I put a song of joy into the widow's heart.

14 I put on righteousness as my clothing, and was full of it; right decisions were to me a robe and a head-dress.

15 I was eyes to the blind, and feet to him who had no power of walking.

16 I was a father to the poor, searching out the cause of him who was strange to me.

17 By me the great teeth of the evil-doer were broken, and I made him give up what he had violently taken away.

18 Then I said, I will come to my end with my children round me, my days will be as the sand in number;

19 My root will be open to the waters, and the night mist will be on my branches,

20 My glory will be ever new, and my bow will be readily bent in my hand.

Job 29:10-20 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.