Job 29:21

21 "Men and women listened when I spoke, hung expectantly on my every word.

Job 29:21 Meaning and Commentary

Job 29:21

Unto me [men] gave ear
Or give ear, or shall give ear, being all ear; all attention to him, listening to what he said with the utmost diligence and earnestness; even all sorts of men, high and low, rich and poor, princes, nobles, and common people; this they had done, and Job concluded they still would do the same; see ( Job 29:9 Job 29:10 ) ;

and waited;
patiently, without any weariness, with pleasure and delight, without giving any interruption, or wishing his discourse was ended; and though continuing ever so long, were not impatient until it was finished:

and kept silence at my counsel;
which was the thing waited for, and which when given, it was to the highest satisfaction; they acquiesced in it, and showed their approbation of it by their silence, not having anything to object to it, any alteration to be made in it, or any thing to be added to it; but being so complete and full, they were ready to take it at once, and act according to it; Job's counsel being like that of Ahithophel, which was as the oracle of God, ( 2 Samuel 16:23 ) .

Job 29:21 In-Context

19 A life deep-rooted and well-watered, a life limber and dew-fresh,
20 My soul suffused with glory and my body robust until the day I die.'
21 "Men and women listened when I spoke, hung expectantly on my every word.
22 After I spoke, they'd be quiet, taking it all in.
23 They welcomed my counsel like spring rain, drinking it all in.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.