Job 29:12-17

12 Because I delivered 1the poor who cried for help, And the 2orphan who had no helper.
13 "The blessing of the one 3ready to perish came upon me, And I made the 4widow's heart sing for joy.
14 "I 5put on righteousness, and it clothed me; My justice was like a robe and a turban.
15 "I was 6eyes to the blind And feet to the lame.
16 "I was a father to 7the needy, And I investigated the case which I did not know.
17 "I 8broke the jaws of the wicked And snatched the 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 8

  • 1. Job 24:4, 9; Job 34:28; Psalms 72:12; Proverbs 21:13
  • 2. Job 31:17, 21
  • 3. Job 31:19
  • 4. Job 22:9
  • 5. Job 27:5, 6; Psalms 132:9; Isaiah 59:17; Isaiah 61:10; Ephesians 6:14
  • 6. Numbers 10:31
  • 7. Job 24:4; Proverbs 29:7
  • 8. Psalms 3:7
New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California.  All rights reserved.