Job 29:23

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

They waited for me as for rain and drank in my words like spring showers.

American Standard Version (1901)

And they waited for me as for the rain; And they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain.

Bible in Basic English

They were waiting for me as for the rain, opening their mouths wide as for the spring rains.

Free Bible Version

They waited for me like people waiting for rain; their mouths wide open for the spring rain.

King James (Authorized) Version

And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain.

Translation for Translators

They waited for me to speak like they wait for rain; they appreciated what I said like [MET] farmers appreciate the final rain in the spring before the dry season.

Unlocked Literal Bible

They always waited for me as they waited for rain; they opened their mouth wide to drink in my words, as they would do for the latter rain.

Noah Webster Bible

And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain.

World English Bible

They waited for me as for the rain. Their mouths drank as with the spring rain.

Young's Literal Translation

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

Context

Job’s Former Blessings

²²After my words, they spoke no more; my speech settled on them like dew. ²³They waited for me as for rain and drank in my words like spring showers. ²⁴If I smiled at them, they did not believe it; the light of my countenance was precious.

Summary

In Job 29:23, Job reflects on his past life of honor and respect in the community. He describes how people listened to him and sought his counsel, showing the influence and wisdom he once possessed. This verse highlights Job's longing for the days when he was esteemed and revered, contrasting sharply with his current state of suffering and despair. Job's reminiscence serves as a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of worldly success and the importance of humility before God, even in times of prosperity.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

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

Job 29:23

Job’s Former Blessings

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

They waited for me as for rain and drank in my words like spring showers.

American Standard Version (1901)

And they waited for me as for the rain; And they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain.

Bible in Basic English

They were waiting for me as for the rain, opening their mouths wide as for the spring rains.

Free Bible Version

They waited for me like people waiting for rain; their mouths wide open for the spring rain.

King James (Authorized) Version

And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain.

Translation for Translators

They waited for me to speak like they wait for rain; they appreciated what I said like [MET] farmers appreciate the final rain in the spring before the dry season.

Unlocked Literal Bible

They always waited for me as they waited for rain; they opened their mouth wide to drink in my words, as they would do for the latter rain.

Noah Webster Bible

And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain.

World English Bible

They waited for me as for the rain. Their mouths drank as with the spring rain.

Young's Literal Translation

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