Job 29:11-21

11 Any ear that heard me blessed me, any eye that saw me gave witness to me,

12 for I delivered the poor when they cried for assistance, the orphan too, who had no one to help him.

13 Those who had been about to die would bless me, and I made widows sing in their hearts for joy.

14 I clothed myself with righteousness, and it clothed itself with me; my justice was like a robe and a crown.

15 I was eyes for the blind, and I was feet for the lame.

16 I was a father to the needy, and I investigated the problems of those I didn't know.

17 I broke the jaws of the unrighteous and snatched the prey from his teeth.

18 "I said, 'I will die with my nest, and I will live as long as a phoenix;

19 my root will spread till it reaches water, and dew will stay all night on my branch;

20 my glory will always be fresh, my bow always new in my hand.'

21 "People would listen to me; they waited and were silent when I gave advice.

Job 29:11-21 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.