Job 29

Job appears to have again looked for a reply to his argument; and, receiving none, he proceeds to utter his feelings in a discourse full of beautiful images: pathetically contrasting his former prosperity (xxix.) with his present state of misery, arising both from the insults and ill-treatment of the most abject of men (xxx. 1-15), and from his bodily sufferings (16-31); and then earnestly protesting his innocence of the sins laid to his charge, particularly licentiousness (xxxi. 1-12), injustice (13-23), avarice, idolatry, etc. (24-40).

3 candle. Rather, “lamp”; a beautiful image of the Divine favour.

4 youth. Rather, “ripeness”; i.e., my prime. When the secret of God, etc. “When I enjoyed

God’s friendship”; or when God was protecting my home.

6. When I washed my steps with butter, etc. Rather, “When my steps were bathed in milk, and the rock beside me streamed with oil.” These are ordinary images of abundance.

7 in the street. The broad place near the city gate, where he sat as an elder or chief. Vers. 7-10 indicate the courtesy of Oriental manners.

14 diadem. “Turban.”

16 the cause which I knew not. Ready to attend to an applicant, although a stranger.

22 dropped. Like refreshing rain: cp. Deut. xxxii. 2.

24. If I laughed on them, etc. Or, “I smiled on them [who] had not confidence”; i.e., I cheered the dejected, and was not infected with their despondency.

25. I chose out their way. I led their enterprises.