Job 29:18-25

18 And I said: I shall die in my nest, and as a palm tree shall multiply my days.
19 My root is opened beside the waters, and dew shall continue in my harvest.
20 My glory shall always be renewed, and my bow in my hand shall be repaired.
21 They that heard me, waited for my sentence, and being attentive held their peace at my counsel.
22 To my words they durst add nothing, and my speech dropped upon them.
23 They waited for me as for rain, and they opened their mouth as for a latter shower.
24 If at any time I laughed on them, they believed not, and the light of my countenance fell not on earth.
25 If I had a mind to go to them, I sat first, and when I sat as a king, with his army standing about him, yet I was a comforter of them that 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.

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