Teks -- Job 29:19-25 (NET)

29:19 My roots reach the water, and the dew lies on my branches all night long. 29:20 My glory will always be fresh in me, and my bow ever new in my hand.’

Job’s Reputation

29:21 “People listened to me and waited silently; they kept silent for my advice. 29:22 After I had spoken, they did not respond; my words fell on them drop by drop. 29:23 They waited for me as people wait for the rain, and they opened their mouths as for the spring rains. 29:24 If I smiled at them, they hardly believed it; and they did not cause the light of my face to darken. 29:25 I chose the way for them and sat as their chief; I lived like a king among his troops; I was like one who comforts mourners.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Wesley: Job 29:20 - Glory

My reputation was growing every day.

Wesley: Job 29:20 - Bow

My strength which is signified by a bow, Gen 49:24; 1Sa 2:4, because in ancient times the bow and arrows were the principal instruments of war.

Wesley: Job 29:22 - Dropped

As the rain, which when it comes down gently upon the earth, is most acceptable and beneficial to it.

Wesley: Job 29:24 - Laughed

Carried myself so familiarly with them, that they could scarce believe their eyes and ears.

Wesley: Job 29:24 - Cast not down

They were cautious not to give me any occasion to change my countenance towards them.

Wesley: Job 29:25 - I chose

They sought to me for advice in all difficult cases, and I directed them what methods they should take.

Wesley: Job 29:25 - Sat

As a prince or judge, while they stood waiting for my counsel.

Wesley: Job 29:25 - A king

Whose presence puts life, and courage, into the whole army.

Wesley: Job 29:25 - As one

As I was ready to comfort any afflicted persons, so my consolations were always welcome to them.

JFB: Job 29:19

Literally, "opened to the waters." Opposed to Job 18:16. Vigorous health.

JFB: Job 29:20

My renown, like my bodily health, was continually fresh.

JFB: Job 29:20 - bow

Metaphor from war, for, my strength, which gains me "renown," was ever renewed (Jer 49:35).

JFB: Job 29:21

Job reverts with peculiar pleasure to his former dignity in assemblies (Job 29:7-10).

JFB: Job 29:22 - not again

Did not contradict me.

JFB: Job 29:22 - dropped

Affected their minds, as the genial rain does the soil on which it gently drops (Amo 7:16; Deu 32:2; Son 4:11).

JFB: Job 29:23

Image of Job 29:22 continued. They waited for my salutary counsel, as the dry soil does for the refreshing rain.

JFB: Job 29:23 - opened . . . mouth

Panted for; Oriental image (Psa 119:131). The "early rain" is in autumn and onwards, while the seed is being sown. The "latter rain" is in March, and brings forward the harvest, which ripens in May or June. Between the early and latter rains, some rain falls, but not in such quantities as those rains. Between March and October no rain falls (Deu 11:14; Jam 5:7).

JFB: Job 29:24

When I relaxed from my wonted gravity (a virtue much esteemed in the East) and smiled, they could hardly credit it; and yet, notwithstanding my condescension, they did not cast aside reverence for my gravity. But the parallelism is better in UMBREIT'S translation, "I smiled kindly on those who trusted not," that is, in times of danger I cheered those in despondency. And they could not cast down (by their despondency) my serenity of countenance (flowing from trust in God) (Pro 16:15; Psa 104:15). The opposite phrase (Gen 4:5-6). "Gravity" cannot well be meant by "light of countenance."

JFB: Job 29:25 - I chose out their way

That is, I willingly went up to their assembly (from my country residence, Job 29:7).

JFB: Job 29:25 - in the army

As a king supreme in the midst of his army.

JFB: Job 29:25 - comforteth the mourners

Here again Job unconsciously foreshadows Jesus Christ (Isa 61:2-3). Job's afflictions, as those of Jesus Christ, were fitting him for the office hereafter (Isa 50:4; Heb 2:18).

Clarke: Job 29:19 - My root was spread out by the waters

My root was spread out by the waters - A metaphor taken from a healthy tree growing beside a rivulet where there is plenty of water; which in consequence flourishes in all seasons; its leaf does not wither, nor its fruit fall off. See Psa 1:3; Jer 17:8.

Clarke: Job 29:20 - My glory was fresh in me

My glory was fresh in me - My vegetative power was great; my glory - my splendid blossom, large and mellow fruit, was always in season, and in every season

Clarke: Job 29:20 - My bow was renewed

My bow was renewed - I was never without means to accomplish all my wishes. I had prosperity everywhere.

Clarke: Job 29:21 - Unto me men gave ear

Unto me men gave ear - The same idea as in Job 29:9-11.

Clarke: Job 29:22 - My speech dropped upon them

My speech dropped upon them - It descended as refreshing dew; they were encouraged, comforted, and strengthened by it.

Clarke: Job 29:23 - They waited for me as for the rain

They waited for me as for the rain - The idea continued. They longed as much to hear me speak, to receive my counsel and my decisions, as the thirsty land does for refreshing waters

Clarke: Job 29:23 - They opened their mouth wide

They opened their mouth wide - A metaphor taken from ground chapped with long drought

Clarke: Job 29:23 - The latter rain

The latter rain - The rain that falls a little before harvest, in order to fill and perfect the grain. The former rain is that which falls about seed-time, or in spring, in order to impregnate and swell the seed, and moisten the earth to produce its nourishment.

Clarke: Job 29:24 - I laughed on them, they believed it not

I laughed on them, they believed it not - Similar to that expression in the Gospel, Luk 24:41 : And while they believed not for joy, and wondered, he said - . Our version is sufficiently perspicuous, and gives the true sense of the original, only it should be read in the indicative and not in the subjunctive mood: I laughed on them - they believed it not. We have a similar phrase: The news was too good to be true

Clarke: Job 29:24 - The light of my countenance

The light of my countenance - This evidence of my benevolence and regard. A smile is, metaphorically, the light of the countenance

Clarke: Job 29:24 - They cast not down

They cast not down - They gave me no occasion to change my sentiments or feelings towards them. I could still smile upon them, and they were then worthy of my approbation. Their change he refers to in the beginning of the next chapter.

Clarke: Job 29:25 - I chose out their way, and sat chief - as a king in the army

I chose out their way, and sat chief - as a king in the army - I cannot see, with some learned men, that our version of the original is wrong. I have not seen it mended, and I am sure I cannot improve it. The whole verse seems to me to point out Job in his civil, military, and domestic life. As supreme magistrate he chose out their way, adjusted their differences, and sat chief, presiding in all their civil assemblies. As captain general he dwelt as a king in the midst of his troops, preserving order and discipline, and seeing that his fellow soldiers were provided with requisites for their warfare, and the necessaries of life. As a man he did not think himself superior to the meanest offices in domestic life, to relieve or support his fellow creatures; he went about comforting the mourners - visiting the sick and afflicted, and ministering to their wants, and seeing that the wounded were properly attended. Noble Job! Look at him, ye nobles of the earth, ye lieutenants of counties, ye generals of armies, and ye lords of provinces. Look at Job! Imitate his active benevolence, and be healthy and happy. Be as guardian angels in your particular districts, blessing all by your example and your bounty. Send your hunting horses to the plough, your game cocks to the dunghill; and at last live like men and Christians.

TSK: Job 29:19 - root // spread out

root : Job 18:16; Psa 1:3; Jer 17:8; Hos 14:5-7

spread out : Heb. opened

TSK: Job 29:20 - glory // fresh // my bow // renewed

glory : Job 29:14, Job 19:9; Gen 45:13; Psa 3:3

fresh : Heb. new

my bow : Gen 49:24

renewed : Heb. changed, Psa 103:5; Isa 40:31; 2Co 4:16

TSK: Job 29:21 - gave ear

gave ear : Job 29:9, Job 29:10, Job 32:11, Job 32:12

TSK: Job 29:22 - After my // speech

After my : Job 32:15, Job 32:16, Job 33:31-33; Isa 52:15; Mat 22:46

speech : Deu 32:2; Son 4:11; Eze 20:46; Amo 7:16; Mic 2:6 *marg.

TSK: Job 29:23 - as for the rain // the latter rain

as for the rain : Psa 72:6

the latter rain : Hos 6:3; Zec 10:1

TSK: Job 29:24 - they believed // the light

they believed : Gen 45:26; Psa 126:1; Luk 24:41

the light : Psa 4:6, Psa 89:15

TSK: Job 29:25 - chose out // dwelt // one that

chose out : Gen 41:40; Jdg 11:8; 2Sa 5:2; 1Ch 13:1-4

dwelt : Gen 14:14-17; Deu 33:5

one that : Job 4:3, Job 4:4; Isa 35:3, Isa 35:4, Isa 61:1-3; 2Co 1:3, 2Co 1:4, 2Co 7:5-7; 1Th 3:2, 1Th 3:3

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Job 29:19

I was continually watered by Divine favour and blessing, as a tree which is constantly supplied with moisture, both in its root and branches, and consequently must needs be fruitful and flourishing.

Poole: Job 29:20 - My glory was fresh // In me // My bow // Was renewed

My glory was fresh the reputation which I had gained by my just and virtuous life was not decaying, but growing, and every day augmented with the accession of new honours.

In me Heb. with me .

My bow i.e. my strength, which is signified by a bow, Gen 49:24 1Sa 2:4 , because in ancient times the bow and arrows were principal instruments of war.

Was renewed Heb. changed itself, i.e. grew as it were a new bow, when other bows by much use grow weak and useless. Or, changed its strength, which word may be here understood, as it is expressed, Isa 40:31 , i.e. hath got new strength.

Poole: Job 29:21

Expecting till I spoke, and silently listening to my counsel, which they were confident would be like the oracle of God, wise, and just, and good, and preferring it before their own judgment.

Poole: Job 29:22 - After my words they spake not again // Dropped upon them

After my words they spake not again either to confute them as false, or to add to them as lame and imperfect.

Dropped upon them to wit, as the rain, as the next verse explains it, which when it comes down gently and droppingly upon the earth, is most acceptable and beneficial to it; not so when it comes in great and violent showers.

Poole: Job 29:23 - As for the rain // latter rain // They opened their mouth

As for the rain as the earth or the husbandman waiteth for the rain, to wit, the former rain, of which see Deu 11:14 , because the

latter rain is here opposed to it: see Jam 5:7 .

They opened their mouth to receive my words, and therewith to satisfy their thirst, as the dry and parched earth gapes or opens its mouth to receive the rain.

Poole: Job 29:24 - If I laughed on them // They believed it not // The light of my countenance they cast not down

If I laughed on them or sported or jested with them, i.e. carried myself familiarly and pleasantly with them.

They believed it not it was so acceptable to them to see me well-pleased with them, that they could scarce believe their eyes and ears that it was so: compare Gen 45:26 Psa 126:1 .

The light of my countenance they cast not down my familiarity did not breed contempt or presumption in them to say or do any thing that might grieve me, or make my countenance to fall, as it doth in case of shame or sorrow, Gen 4:5 . They were very cautious not to abuse my smiles, nor to give me any occasion to change my countenance or carriage towards them.

Poole: Job 29:25 - I chose out their way // Sat // Chief // As a king in the army // As one that comforteth the mourners // comforteth the mourners

I chose out their way they sought to me for my advice in all doubtful and difficult cases, and I chalked out their path, and directed them what methods they should take to accomplish their desires.

Sat as a prince or judge, whilst they stood waiting for my counsel.

Chief or head ; as their head or ruler, and my mind and word was as a law or oracle to them.

As a king in the army whose presence puts life, and courage, and joy into the whole army. And no less acceptable was my presence to them.

As one that comforteth the mourners as I was able and ready to comfort any afflicted or sorrowful persons, so my consolations were always grateful and welcome to them. Or, when he, to wit, the king,

comforteth the mourners i.e. his army, when they are under some great consternation or dejection, by reason of some great loss or danger, but are revived by the presence and speech of a wise and valiant king or general.

Haydock: Job 29:19 - Harvest

Harvest. Protestants, "branch." (Psalm i. 3., and Isaias xviii. 4.) (Haydock)

Haydock: Job 29:20 - Bow

Bow, strength. I thought my glory would never end. (Menochius)

Haydock: Job 29:23 - Shower

Shower, in autumn, at which season only, and in spring, it rained in those countries. (Calmet) (Deuteronomy xi. 14.) (Menochius) ---

It would, of course, be very acceptable after the drought of summer, Proverbs xvi. 15.

Haydock: Job 29:24 - Earth

Earth, with neglect. (Calmet) ---

My attendants could scarcely believe their own eyes, through joy, (Haydock) when I assumed a more familiar air with them. (Calmet) ---

They still revered my authority. (Menochius)

Haydock: Job 29:25 - With

With. Hebrew, "in his army, like one comforting people in mourning." (Haydock) ---

Job was not merely as, or like a king, but also one in effect; exercising the power, (ver. 7.) and wearing the royal robes, ver. 14. (St. Isidore; Ven. Bede, &c.) (Worthington)

Gill: Job 29:19 - My root was spread out by the waters // and the dew lay all night upon my branch

My root was spread out by the waters,.... According to our version and others, Job here, and in the following verses, gives the reasons of his hope and confidence of his long life, and quiet and comfortable death amidst all his prosperity and happiness; which were founded upon his flourishing circumstances, and the great respect that was shown him among men; and this is the sense, if we read the words in the past tense, as we and many others do; or in the present tense, "my root is spread", &c. as others; but there are some interpreters, both Jewish and Christian ^b, that render them in the future tense, here and to the end of the chapter; and so they are a continuation of Job's hope and trust, in the times of his prosperity, that things would always continue as they were with him, and much more abundantly; and indeed all is true of Job, in every sense, and all may be taken into the account; and that these words, and the following, as they describe what had been, and at the then present time, when he concluded the above in his mind, was his case, so they may also declare what he believed would be always his case to the end of his days. Here he compares himself to a tree well rooted and happily situated by plenty of water, and which may be expressive both of his temporal and spiritual prosperity: his outward prosperity seemed to him to have been well settled and established, being like a tree that had taken root, and was like to continue, being watered with the favour and blessing of God, which maketh rich; and as to his spiritual estate, he was like a tree planted by a river of water, to which good men are often compared in Scripture, Psa 1:3; they are in general called trees of righteousness, and are sometimes likened to particular trees, as to olives, cedars, and palm trees; and some think, as Pineda, that it is to the latter Job here has respect; the last clause of Job 29:18 being in the Latin Vulgate version so rendered as to countenance this sense; and it may be observed that this tree having thick long leaves, and fruit full of juice, and its wood spongy, requires much water; and, as Pliny ^c says, delights in watery places; nor is it content with rain, but is better satisfied with waters flowing about it; hence it is often found necessary to dig about it, and lay its roots open, that the waters may more easily come at them, and flow about them ^d and so the words here in the original text are, "my root" was, is, or shall be "open to the waters" ^e: good men, as they are rooted in the love of God, and in the person of Christ, so they have, as Job had, the root of the matter in them, the truth of grace, or a principle of grace; which is watered, and kept alive and flourishing, by the love and favour of God shed abroad in the heart; by fresh supplies of grace out of the fulness of Christ, who is the fountain of gardens, and well of living waters; and by the means of grace, the word and ordinances, the still waters to which saints are led, and by which they are made to lie down, and where they are watered, refreshed, and comforted:

and the dew lay all night upon my branch; so that the water being at his root below, and the dew on his branch above, he must be in a fruitful and flourishing condition: the dew is a great blessing to the earth, to trees, herbs, and plants, and the cause of great fertility; and this may respect Job's temporal happiness, in the health and prosperity of his children, who were to him what branches are to a tree; and in the affluence of worldly good things, with which through the blessing of God, as dew upon him, he abounded; and may also have regard to his spiritual affairs: believers in Christ are branches in him, as Job was one; and the dew of divine grace and favour lies upon them continually, even in the darkest seasons; which revives and refreshes their souls, and makes them fruitful in the exercise of grace, and performance of good works; see Pro 19:12; the dew falls in the night, and the sooner it fails the longer it lies, and is most useful: some render the words "upon my harvest", or "mowing" ^f; the dew is of great use in harvest time; mowers and reapers choose the morning to work in, when the stalks are moistened by the dew; and which is of use to keep the ears of corn from shedding by swelling the fibres, and so retaining the grains in their proper places ^g; see Isa 18:4.

Gill: Job 29:20 - My glory was // fresh in me // and my bow was renewed in my hand

My glory was,.... "Is" or "shall be";

fresh in me; or "new" ^g; renewed day by day, having fresh additions made unto it; which was true of Job's temporal honour from among men; as a prince and civil magistrate, he had the honour given him that was due unto him, and this was continually increasing; and also of his spiritual glory, which lay, as every good man's glory does, in the grace of God wrought in him, and in the righteousness of Christ put upon him, Psa 45:9; which grace is renewed and increased in them by the Holy Spirit, and is therefore called the renewing of the Holy Ghost; and which righteousness is revealed "from faith to faith", Rom 1:17, from a lesser degree of it to a greater:

and my bow was renewed in my hand; "is" or "shall be"; meaning either his authority as a civil magistrate, increasing daily to the terror of evildoers, and to the praise, profit, and defence of them that did well; or his strength, as Gersom interprets it, his spiritual strength, as in Isa 40:31; where the same word is used as here; so that he grew stronger and stronger in faith and other graces, and went from strength to strength; the bow was a warlike instrument, and required strength to draw it, and is put for it; see Gen 48:22.

Gill: Job 29:21 - Unto me men gave ear // and waited // and kept silence at my counsel

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;

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, 2Sa 16:23.

Gill: Job 29:22 - After my words they spake not again // and my speech dropped upon them

After my words they spake not again,.... Did not or would not make any reply to them; they did not attempt to change and alter them, to add unto them, or take from them, or in any wise to correct them, and much less to contradict them, and treat them with contempt; or "differed not", as Mr. Broughton renders it; differed not from them, but agreed to them; and differed not among themselves, but united in what Job said, as being full to the purpose, after which nothing more could be said; see Ecc 2:12;

and my speech dropped upon them; his prophecy, as Jarchi, prophesying being expressed by dropping, Amo 7:16; his doctrine dropped from his lips like the honeycomb, and was sweet, grateful, and delightful to his hearers, as the church's lips, Son 4:11; or rather like the rain, as in Deu 32:2, when it falls and drops gently and easily, and so penetrates and soaks into the earth, and abides and does good: in like manner, when good and sound doctrine drops upon the hearers, so as to enter into their hearts, and work effectually in them, it does them good, and they rejoice at it, and are far from having anything to say against it.

Gill: Job 29:23 - And they waited for me as for the rain // and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain

And they waited for me as for the rain,.... The former rain, as appears by the following clause, which fell in autumn, about October, after seedtime, in order to nourish and cherish it, and bring it up; now as the husbandman waited for this, was in daily expectation of it, and greatly desired it, and longed for it; see Jam 5:7; so the people waited for Job, for his coming into their public assemblies, whether civil or religious, and longed to hear him speak, for their counsel and instruction, for their comfort and direction in all things they stood in need of:

and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain; which fell in the spring about March, in the time of harvest, which was of use to fatten the kernals of grain, and make them fuller, and the flour finer; now Job's hearers opened their mouths, as the dry and parched earth gapes for rain; or the husbandman, or the gardener, as the Targum, opens his mouth, and asks and prays for rain; or as a hungry and thirsty man opens his mouth to take in refreshment, or expresses thereby his desire of it; or as persons somewhat deaf open their mouths to hear the better, there being a way through the mouth to the internal ear, as anatomists ^h observe; which lies through the Eustachian tube, out of the palate, to the internal cavity of the ear, called the "concha"; wherefore such persons naturally open their mouths when they would hear attentively; all which expresses the eager desire of Job's hearers after his doctrine, which, like the rain, would be useful, profitable, and edifying to them; their view was not to indulge their curiosity, to please their ears, but to affect their hearts, and instruct their minds.

Gill: Job 29:24 - If I laughed on them, they believed it not // and the light of my countenance they cast not down

If I laughed on them, they believed it not,.... Not that he at any time laughed at them, by way of derision; but when in a cheerful frame of mind, or in a merry mood, he used freedom and familiarity, and jested with them; but they could not believe that he did jest, or was in jest, he being a man always of such gravity and seriousness, that they concluded the smile on his countenance, and the pleasant turn of his expression, had a serious meaning in them; or such familiarity with them was so pleasing to them, that they could scarcely for joy believe that he did condescend to indulge such an air of pleasantry: or as Mr. Broughton renders it, and so some others to the same sense, "they would not be bold" ⁱ; familiarity with them did not breed contempt, as it sometimes does; they did not presume upon it, and grow bold and insolent, and make him their equal, and jest with him again; but still there was an awe upon them, and they behaved with reverence to him; and to show how great it was is the design of the expression:

and the light of my countenance they cast not down; they did not ruffle his mind, or disturb the serenity of it; or cause him to change his countenance, through any bold and indecent behaviour towards him, encouraged by the freedom and pleasantry he used with them; they did not put him to shame, or provoke him to anger and displeasure by any unbecoming deportment; they kept their distance, they did not detract from his authority and majesty, or in the least lessen that, but behaved with the same reverence and regard to him they ever did; see Gen 4:6.

Gill: Job 29:25 - I chose out their way // and sat chief // and dwelt as a king in the army // as one that comforteth the mourners

I chose out their way,.... When his friends and neighbours came to him for advice in things civil, he marked out their way for them, directed what steps to take, what methods to pursue for their good; they desired him to choose for them, preferring his judgment to theirs, and were determined to abide by his choice of ways and means, and to follow his counsel; and in religious matters, he instructed them in their duty, both towards God and men, and proposed unto them what was most eligible, both with respect to doctrine and practice;

and sat chief; in all their public assemblies; he presided in their councils and courts of judicature; and when met together for religious worship, he sat in the chair of the teacher, and instructed them; he was chief speaker, as the Heathens said of the Apostle Paul, Act 14:12;

and dwelt as a king in the army, or "troop" ^k. Mr. Broughton renders it with a garrison; Job was surrounded with multitudes of persons, that waited upon him on one account or another, who were ready to receive his words, and be obedient to them, as a king or general in the midst of an army, surrounded by his general officers, and the whole army encamped about him, doing him honour, and ready to obey whatever commands or instructions he should give them; some conclude from hence that Job was really a king, as being not a note of similitude, but of truth and reality, as in Mat 14:2; and so he might be; for in those times and countries every city almost had its king; though this is not necessarily supposed here; for the phrase seems only to denote the authority and influence Job had over men by his advice and instruction, which were as much regarded as from a king; and the majesty he appeared in, and the reverence in which he was had:

as one that comforteth the mourners: which some restrain to the king in his army, and connect them therewith thus, "when he comforteth the mourners" ^l; the soldiers mourning for some loss sustained, and slaughter made among them; whose minds the king or general by a set speech endeavours to cheer, and comfort, and allay their fears, and animate them to intrepidity and fortitude, when all eyes are upon him and attentive to him; and so attentive were Job's hearers to him. Bar Tzemach observes, that the copulative ו, or "and", is wanting, and so is a clause by itself, and expresses something distinct from the forager, and may be supplied, "and I was as one that comforteth the mourners"; as a wise man that comforteth them, as Aben Ezra explains it; like one that made it his business to visit mourners in affliction, on account of the death of a relation, and the like: see Job 11:19; and speaks comfortable words to them, to support them under their sorrow; when such an one used to speak alone, and all stood silent before him, and attentive to him; and in a like position was Job, when he gave his instructions to those about him; and he was, no doubt, a comforter of mourners himself, being either in temporal afflictions, or in spiritual troubles; comforted those that were cast down in either sense, and was a type of Christ, who was appointed to comfort all that mourn in Zion.