Job 29:18-25

18 “I thought, ‘Surely I will die surrounded by my family after a long, good life.

19 For I am like a tree whose roots reach the water, whose branches are refreshed with the dew.

20 New honors are constantly bestowed on me, and my strength is continually renewed.’

21 “Everyone listened to my advice. They were silent as they waited for me to speak.

22 And after I spoke, they had nothing to add, for my counsel satisfied them.

23 They longed for me to speak as people long for rain. They drank my words like a refreshing spring rain.

24 When they were discouraged, I smiled at them. My look of approval was precious to them.

25 Like a chief, I told them what to do. I lived like a king among his troops and comforted those who mourned.

Job 29:18-25 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew after I have counted my days like sand.