Job 29:12-17

12 because I 1delivered the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to help him.
13 2The blessing of him who was 3about to perish came upon me, and I caused 4the widow's heart to sing for joy.
14 I 5put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was like a robe and 6a turban.
15 I was 7eyes to the blind and feet to the lame.
16 I was a father to the needy, and I searched out 8the cause of him whom I did not know.
17 I 9broke 10the fangs of the unrighteous and made him drop his prey from his 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 10

  • 1. Psalms 72:12
  • 2. Job 31:20
  • 3. Proverbs 31:6; Isaiah 27:13
  • 4. [Ruth 2:20]
  • 5. Psalms 132:9; Isaiah 59:17; Isaiah 61:10; [Isaiah 11:5; Ephesians 6:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:8]
  • 6. Isaiah 62:3; Zechariah 3:5; [Job 19:9]
  • 7. Numbers 10:31
  • 8. [Proverbs 29:7]
  • 9. Psalms 3:7
  • 10. Psalms 58:6; Proverbs 30:14
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.