Job 29
Job 29 is part of “Third Cycle of Dialogue” (22–31) in the outline of Job.
Job 29 summary
After that excellent discourse concerning wisdom in the foregoing chapter Job sat down and paused awhile, not because he had talked himself out of breath, but because he would not, without the leave of the company, engross the talk to himself, but would give room for his friends, if they pleased, to make their remarks on what he had said; but they had nothing to say, and therefore, after he had recollected himself a little, he went on with his discourse concerning his own affairs, as recorded in this and the two following chapters, in which, I. He describes the height of the prosperity from which he had fallen. And, II. The depth of the…
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After that excellent discourse concerning wisdom in the foregoing chapter Job sat down and paused awhile, not because he had talked himself out of breath, but because he would not, without the leave of the company, engross the talk to himself, but would give room for his friends, if they pleased, to make their remarks on what he had said; but they had nothing to say, and therefore, after he had recollected himself a little, he went on with his discourse concerning his own affairs, as recorded in this and the two following chapters, in which, I. He describes the height of the prosperity from which he had fallen. And, II. The depth of the adversity into which he had fallen; and this he does to move the pity of his friends, and to justify, or at least excuse, his own complaints. But then, III. To obviate his friends' censures of him, he makes a very ample and particular protestation of his own integrity notwithstanding. In this chapter he looks back to the days of his prosperity, and shows, 1. What comfort and satisfaction he had in his house and family (Job 29:1-6). 2. What a great deal of honour and power he had in his country, and what respect was paid him by all sorts of people (Job 29:7-10). 3. What abundance of good he did in his place, as a magistrate (Job 29:11-17). 4. What a just prospect he had of the continuance of his comfort at home (Job 29:18-20) and of his interest abroad (Job 29:21-25). All this he enlarges upon, to aggravate his present calamities; like Naomi, "I went out full," but am brought "home again empty."
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Job 29 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
Job's Final Defense: My Life in the Past
1So Iob proceeded and continued his parable, saying, 2Oh that I were as in times past, when God preserued me! 3When his light shined vpon mine head: and when by his light I walked thorowe the darkenesse, 4As I was in the dayes of my youth: when Gods prouidence was vpon my tabernacle: 5When the almightie was yet with me, and my children round about me. 6When I washed my pathes with butter, and when the rocke powred me out riuers of oyle: 7When I went out to the gate, euen to the iudgement seat, and when I caused them to prepare my seate in the streete. 8The yong men saw me, and hid themselues, and the aged arose, and stood vp. 9The princes stayed talke, and layde their hand on their mouth. 10The voyce of princes was hidde, and their tongue cleaued to the roofe of their mouth. 11And when the eare heard me, it blessed me: and when the eye sawe me, it gaue witnesse to me. 12For I deliuered the poore that cryed, and the fatherlesse, and him that had none to helpe him. 13The blessing of him that was ready to perish, came vpon me, and I caused the widowes heart to reioyce. 14I put on iustice, and it couered me: my iudgement was as a robe, and a crowne. 15I was the eyes to the blinde, and I was the feete to the lame. 16I was a father vnto the poore, and when I knewe not the cause, I sought it out diligently. 17I brake also the chawes of the vnrighteous man, and pluckt the praye out of his teeth. 18Then I sayde, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiplie my dayes as the sand. 19For my roote is spread out by the water, and the dewe shall lye vpon my branche. 20My glory shall renue towarde me, and my bowe shall be restored in mine hand. 21Vnto me men gaue eare, and wayted, and helde their tongue at my counsell. 22After my wordes they replied not, and my talke dropped vpon them. 23And they wayted for me, as for the raine, and they opened their mouth as for the latter rayne. 24If I laughed on them, they beleeued it not: neither did they cause the light of my countenance to fall. 25I appoynted out their way, and did sit as chiefe, and dwelt as a King in the army, and like him that comforteth the mourners.