Job 29:14-24

14 Righteousness I have put on, and it clotheth me, As a robe and a diadem my justice.

15 Eyes I have been to the blind, And feet to the lame [am] I.

16 A father I [am] to the needy, And the cause I have not known I search out.

17 And I break the jaw-teeth of the perverse, And from his teeth I cast away prey.

18 And I say, `With my nest I expire, And as the sand I multiply days.'

19 My root is open unto the waters, And dew doth lodge on my branch.

20 My honour [is] fresh with me, And my bow in my hand is renewed.

21 To me they have hearkened, Yea, they wait, and are silent for my counsel.

22 After my word they change not, And on them doth my speech drop,

23 And they wait as [for] rain for me, And their mouth they have opened wide [As] for the latter rain.

24 I laugh unto them -- they give no credence, And the light of my face cause not to fall.

Job 29:14-24 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.