Job 29:18-25

18 "Then I said, 'I shall die in my nest, And multiply my days as the sand.

19 My root is spread out to the waters, And the dew lies all night on my branch.

20 My glory is fresh within me, And my bow is renewed in my hand.'

21 "Men listened to me and waited, And kept silence for my counsel.

22 After my words they did not speak again, And my speech settled on them as dew.

23 They waited for me as for the rain, And they opened their mouth wide as for the spring rain.

24 If I mocked at them, they did not believe it, And the light of my countenance they did not cast down.

25 I chose the way for them, and sat as chief; So I dwelt as a king in the army, As one who comforts mourners.

Job 29:18-25 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.