Job 29:15-25

15 I was eyes for the blind person. I was feet for the lame person.

16 I was father to the needy. I carefully investigated cases brought by strangers.

17 I broke the teeth of the wicked person and made him drop the prey out of his mouth.

18 "I thought, 'I may die in my own house, but I will make my days as numerous as the sand.

19 My roots will grow toward the water, and dew will lie on my branches all night.

20 My power will be fresh [every day], and the bow in my hand will remain new.'

21 "People listened to me eagerly, quietly waiting for my advice.

22 After I had spoken, they wouldn't speak again. After all, my words fell gently on them.

23 They were as eager to hear me as they were for rain. They opened their mouths wide as if waiting for a spring shower.

24 When I smiled at them, they could hardly believe it, but the expression on my face did not change.

25 I decided how they should live. I sat as their leader. I lived like a king among his troops, like one who comforts mourners.

Job 29:15-25 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.