Job 29:15 — Word Study
WLCעֵינַ֣יִם הָ֭יִיתִי לַֽעִוֵּ֑ר וְרַגְלַ֖יִם לַפִּסֵּ֣חַ אָֽנִי׃
BSAI [served as]hâyâh■ [personally, as an individual] ◂eyesʻayin [a source of vision, spiritual insight] to the blindʻivvêr [physically or spiritually unable to see] [and]ʼănîy as feetregel [a means of movement, support] to the lamepiççêach [crippled, physically disabled, or weak]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| עֵינַ֣יִם | eyes | Noun common, feminine dual absolute |
| הָ֭יִיתִי | I was | Verb, Qal, perfect first person common singular |
| לַֽעִוֵּ֑ר | to the blind | Preposition |
| וְרַגְלַ֖יִם | and [was] feet | Conjunction, noun common feminine dual absolute |
| לַפִּסֵּ֣חַ | to the lame | Preposition |
| אָֽנִי׃ | I | Pronoun |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | I served as eyes to the blind and as feet to the lame. |
| KJV | I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. |
| ASV | I was eyes to the blind, And feet was I to the lame. |
| YLT | Eyes I have been to the blind, And feet to the lame [am] I. |
| WEB | I was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame. |
| BBE | I was eyes to the blind, and feet to him who had no power of walking. |
Where they part company is עֵינַ֣יִם — see How Translations Differ.
The main clause is followed by two prepositional phrases that describe Job's roles, emphasizing his service to those in need.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectאֲנִי
verbהָיָה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Job 29:15
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Job's Reflection on His Past Integritygenerated
Job 29:15 is part of Job's lament where he recalls his righteousness and the good deeds he performed for others. In this passage, he emphasizes his role as a protector and supporter of the vulnerable, showcasing his compassion and moral integrity during his prosperous days. Job's reflections serve to contrast his current suffering with his past honor and the respect he once commanded.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 10:31 | “Please do not leave us,” Moses said, “since you know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you can serve as our eyes. |
| 2 | Matthew 11:5 | The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. |
| 3 | 1 Corinthians 12:12–31 | The body is a unit, though it is composed of many parts. And although its parts are many, they all form one body. So it is with Christ. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 3 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — עֵינַ֣יִם, 'ei.Na.yimgenerated
The Hebrew word עַ֫יִן (*'ayin*) means 'eye' and can refer to both the physical organ and its figurative uses, such as mental qualities and desires. In this verse, it signifies a source of vision or insight, highlighting Job's role in providing guidance and clarity to those who could not see, whether physically or spiritually.
The dual form of the noun indicates a completeness or fullness in Job's service, as he metaphorically served as 'eyes' to the blind, suggesting a deep level of care and responsibility for those in need.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse is structured around a finite verb, הָ֭יִיתִי, I was, which serves as the anchor for the sentence. It connects two noun phrases: עֵינַ֣יִם (eyes) and רַגְלַ֖יִם (feet), each linked by the conjunction 'and'. This structure emphasizes Job's dual role in providing both vision and mobility to those in need.
The order of the Hebrew words places Job's identity as the subject at the end, which adds weight to his claims about his past actions and responsibilities.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the word for עֵינַ֣יִם is rendered as ὀφθαλμὸς, which also means 'eye'. This choice reflects a direct translation that maintains the original meaning while emphasizing the physical aspect of sight.
The use of ποὺς for רַגְלַ֖יִם indicates a similar focus on the physical function of feet, reinforcing Job's role as a supporter and guide for those who are unable to move or see.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 29:15 tells us that Job served as 'eyes' to the blind and 'feet' to the lame, showing his compassion and support for those who were unable to help themselves. He reflects on how he helped others during his prosperous days, highlighting his moral character and integrity.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Job is expressing that he provided guidance and insight to those who could not see, either physically or spiritually.
This phrase indicates that Job acted as a support system for those who were unable to walk or move freely, helping them in their struggles.
It shows that Job was compassionate and actively engaged in helping the vulnerable in his community, reflecting his integrity and moral standing.
We can strive to support and guide those in need, offering our help and compassion to those who are struggling or unable to help themselves.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I serve those who are blind or lame in my community?
- How can I be a source of guidance for someone who is struggling?
- What does it mean to be a support for others, and how can I fulfill that role?
- How can Job's example inspire me to act with compassion and integrity?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early Church Fathers comment on Job's integrity and compassion, using this verse to illustrate his character and moral standing.
See how these miracles are worthy of the apostles. Job was not able to give sight back to them, because that charisma did not yet exist, but he provided them with light, even though they remained blind,Early Church Fathers on Job 29 →
I was an eye to the blind, and a foot was I to the lame. I was a father to the poor, and the cause which I knew not I searched out.Early Church Fathers on Job 29 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 29:15 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleI was eyes to the blind,.... Either in a literal sense: there was a law in Israel against putting a stumbling block before the blind, and a curse pronounced on those that caused them to wander out of
Read John Gill on Job 29 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryBecause I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 29 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleEyes, i.e. instead of eyes, to instruct, and direct, and assist. To the blind; either, 1. Corporally. Or rather, 2. Spiritually; such as through ignorance or weakness were apt to mistake, and to be seduced or cheated by the craft and artifices of evil-minded men. These I cautioned, and advised, and led into the right way. Feet was I to the lame, i.e. ready to help him who was unable to help himself.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 29 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 29:15 I was eyes to the blind, and feet [was] I to the lame.Ver. 15. I was eyes to the blind] Here he saith the same in effect as before, Job 29:12-13, only he setteth it forth Pulcherrimis allegoriis per synathroismum velut conglobatis, by a heap of most elegant allegories (Mercer). He meaneth here, I gave advice to the simple, and support to the weak and impotent. But how many great men are there, qui etiam videntes, circumveniunt et fallunt, who put out the eyes of men, as Korah falsely accused Moses, Numbers 16:14. And cut off their legs (as that tyrant in the story served his guests that were too long for his bed) by disabling or discouraging them to follow their just causes, so…
Read John Trapp on Job 29 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 15. I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame.] Alluding probably to the difficulty of travelling in the Arabian deserts. I was eyes to the blind - those who did not know the way, I furnished with guides. I was feet to the lame-those who were worn out, and incapable of walking, I set forward on my camels, &c.
Read AdamClarke on Job 29 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges15. The blind he enabled to see that which of themselves they could not perceive; the lame he enabled to attain to that which of themselves they were unable to reach.
Read Cambridge on Job 29 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleI was eyes to the blind - An exceedingly beautiful expression, whose meaning is obvious. He became their counsellor and guide. And feet was I to the lame - I assisted them, and became their benefactor.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 29 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
I served as eyes to the blind and as feet to the lame.
I was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame.
I served as eyes to the blind and as feet to the lame.
I was eyes for the blind and feet for the lame;
Tyndale line
I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame.
I was eyes to the blind, And feet was I to the lame.
I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame.
I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame.
I was the eyes to the blinde, and I was the feete to the lame.
Strictly literal
I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame;
Eyes I have been to the blind, And feet to the lame [am] I.
I have been eyes to the blind, || And I [am] feet to the lame.
Eyes was I to the blind; and feet to the lame was I.
I was eyes to blind people; I was feet to lame people.
From the Latin
I was an eye to the blind, and a foot to the lame.
Simplified
I was like eyes for the blind and feet for the lame.
I was eyes to the blind, and feet to him who had no power of walking.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text of Job 29:15 reads, 'I served as eyes to the blind and as feet to the lame,' which is supported by the Septuagint, where five of the six words match the Hebrew text, although the word order and articles differ due to the nature of the Greek translation. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide a differing text for this verse, so they align with the Masoretic Text in meaning and wording.
עֵינַ֣יִם הָ֭יִיתִי לַֽעִוֵּ֑ר וְרַגְלַ֖יִם לַפִּסֵּ֣חַ אָֽנִי׃
5 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Job 29:15
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word עַ֫יִן (*'ayin*) means 'eye' and can refer to both the physical organ and its figurative uses, such as mental qualities and desires. It also denotes a 'spring' or 'fountain' of water. The entries highlight various phrases and contexts, including appearances and expressions of emotion, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
עַ֫יִן 859 n.f. eye
lit. as physical organ
eyes as showing mental qualities
desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes
Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states
Transferred mngs.:
visible surface of earth
appearance
gleam, sparkle
Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead
base
עַ֫יִן n.f. spring (of water). Particular springs are:
ע׳ חֲרֹר Ju 7:1
ע׳ הַקּוֹרֵא (partridge-spring) Ju 15:19
ע׳ רֹגֵל near Jerus.
ע׳ הַתַּנִּין (dragon-spring)
base
H5869a עַ֫יִן eye . lit. as physical organ
. . eyes as showing mental qualities
. desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes
. Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states
. Transferred mngs.: . visible surface of earth
. appearance
. gleam, sparkle
. Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead
H5869b עַ֫יִן spring (of water)
5869 `ayin ah'-yin
probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or
figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the
landscape):--affliction, outward appearance, + before, +
think best, colour, conceit, + be content, countenance, +
displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, + favour,
fountain, furrow (from the margin), X him, + humble,
knowledge, look, (+ well), X me, open(-ly), + (not) please,
presence, + regard, resemblance, sight, X thee, X them, +
think, X us, well, X you(-rselves).
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye.
: eye
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain (Gate).
§ spring, fountain
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain of.
§ spring, fountain
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: seeing.
: seeing
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: appearance.
: appearance
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: before(the eyes).
: before(the_eyes)
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: sin.
: sin
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
N-cd — Noun common · feminine dual absoluteHNcfda
The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be
Qal
Fall out, happen
occur, take place, come about, come to pass
esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass
וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
Come into being, become
abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
sq. prep.
become
sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
sq. pred. adj.
become like
sq. pred. לְ pers.
sq. לְ pred.
oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.
with עַל and לְ
sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)
exist, be in existence
abide, remain, continue
with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie
as copula, joining subj. & pred.
H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen
. occur, take place, come about, come to pass
. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
. sq. prep.
. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
. sq. pred. adj.
. become like
. sq. pred. + לְ pers.
. sq. לְ pred.
. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.
. with עַל and לְ
. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence
. abide, remain, continue
1961 hayah haw-yaw
a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,
come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or
auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,
committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,
fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit
(one-)self, require, X use.
see HEBREW for 01933
הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.
1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) ---
1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass
1a1b) to come about, come to pass
1a2) to come into being, become
1a2a) to arise, appear, come
1a2b) to become
1a2b1) to become
1a2b2) to become like
1a2b3) to be instituted, be established
1a3) to be
1a3a) to exist, be in existence
1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)
1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)
1a3d) to accompany, be with
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about
1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
V-Qal-Perf-1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singularHVqp1cs
עִוֵּר (ivver) means 'blind,' and can refer to physical blindness or be used figuratively. The word is derived from a more basic form, עָוָר (avvar), and is noted in various lexicons as describing both individuals and groups who are blind.
עִוֵּר adj. blind
base
H5787 עִוֵּר blind
5787 `ivver iv-vare'
intensive from 5786; blind (literally or
figuratively):--blind (men, people).
see HEBREW for 05786
עִוֵּר (iv.ver) — blind.
1) blind
1a) blind (physically)
1b) blind (fig.)
Prep | Adj — PrepositionHRd/Aamsa
Blind
Blind beggars are frequently mentioned (Matt. 9:27; 12:22; 20:30; John 5:3). The blind are to be treated with compassion (Lev. 19:14; Deut. 27:18). Blindness was sometimes a punishment for disobedience (1 Sam. 11:2; Jer. 39:7), sometimes the effect of old age (Gen. 27:1; 1 Kings 14:4; 1 Sam. 4:15). Conquerors sometimes blinded their captives (2 Kings…
רֶ֫גֶל (regel) means 'foot' and can refer to a foot or leg in various contexts, including anthropomorphic references to God and other beings. It also implies steps or paces. The word is derived from a root meaning related to walking, and it appears in multiple forms, such as feet and paces.
רֶ֫גֶל 247 n.f. foot
foot
three times (feet, paces)
base
H7272 רֶ֫גֶל foot . foot
. three times (feet, paces)
7272 regel reh'-gel
from 7270; a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a
step; by euphem. the pudenda:--X be able to endure, X
according as, X after, X coming, X follow,
((broken-))foot((-ed, -stool)), X great toe, X haunt, X
journey, leg, + piss, + possession, time.
see HEBREW for 07270
רֶ֫גֶל (re.gel) — foot.
1) foot
1a) foot, leg
1b) of God (anthropomorphic)
1c) of seraphim, cherubim, idols, animals, table
1d) according to the pace of (with prep)
1e) three times (feet, paces)
Aramaic equivalent: re.gal (רְגַל "foot" H7271)
Conj | N-fd — Conjunction · noun common feminine dual absoluteHC/Ncfda
→ Bells worn on Isa 3:16,18
→ Washing of, as an example, by Jesus Joh 13:4-14
→ See ABLUTION
פִּסֵּחַ (pis-se-ach) means 'lame' in Hebrew. It is derived from the root word פָּסַח (pasach), which relates to limping or being disabled. The entries consistently define it as 'lame' without any significant disagreement among the lexicons.
פִּסֵּחַ adj. lame
base
H6455 פִּסֵּחַ lame
6455 picceach pis-say'-akh
from 6452; lame:--lame.
see HEBREW for 06452
פִּסֵּחַ (pis.se.ach) — lame.
lame
Prep | Adj — PrepositionHRd/Aamsa
lam (piceach, nakheh; cholos):
(1) The condition of being unable or imperfectly able to walk, which unfitted any descendant of Aaron so afflicted for service in the priesthood (Le 21:18), and rendered an animal unsuitable for sacrifice (De 15:21). The offering of animals so blemished was one of the sins with which Malachi charges the negligent Jews of his time (Mal 1:8-13).
(2) Those who suffered from lameness, such as Mephibosheth, whose limbs were injured by a fall in childhood (2Sa 4:4; 9:3). In the prophetic description of the completeness of the victory of the returning Israelites, it is predicted that the lame shall be made whole and shall leap like a hart (
אֲנִי, transliterated as aniy, is a first-person singular pronoun meaning 'I' or 'me.' It is often used for emphasis and can also imply possession, as in 'mine' or 'myself.' The word is derived from a form that indicates self-reference, and it appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament.
אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי pron. 1s. comm. I
base
H589 אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי I
589 'aniy an-ee'
contracted from 595; I:--I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, X
which, X who.
see HEBREW for 0595
אֲנִי (a.ni) — I.
I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)
Pron — PronounHPp1bs