Job 29:12-17

12 because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist them.
13 The one who was dying blessed me; I made the widow’s heart sing.
14 I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban.
15 I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame.
16 I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger.
17 I broke the fangs of the wicked and snatched the victims from their teeth.

Job 29:12-17 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. S Job 24:4
  • 2. S Deuteronomy 24:17; Job 31:17,21
  • 3. Psalms 72:12; Proverbs 21:13
  • 4. Job 31:20
  • 5. S Deuteronomy 10:18; S Job 22:9
  • 6. S 2 Samuel 8:15; S Job 27:6; Psalms 132:9; Isaiah 59:17; Isaiah 61:10; Ephesians 4:24; Ephesians 6:14
  • 7. S Job 19:9
  • 8. Numbers 10:31
  • 9. S Job 4:4
  • 10. S Job 24:4; Proverbs 29:7
  • 11. Exodus 18:26
  • 12. S Job 4:4; Proverbs 22:22-23
  • 13. Job 24:9
  • 14. S Job 4:10,11; S Psalms 3:7
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