Job 29:8

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 29:8-10

Job 29:8-10. The young men saw me and hid themselves Out of reverence to my person and dignity, or out of a consciousness of their guilt and folly, which they supposed I might understand either by information from others, or discover by their countenances, and for which they knew I would reprove them, and bring them to shame or other punishment. And the aged arose and stood up While I either passed by them, or was present with them: so great was the veneration which they had for me,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Job 29:1-25

Past glory; present humiliation (29:1-30:31)Since the three friends have nothing more to say, Job proceeds to show that in the past he had indeed tried to fear God and avoid wrongdoing. So close was his fellowship with God in those days that he could call it friendship (29:1-4). He was blessed with family happiness and prosperity (5-6). He was one of the city elders and was highly respected by the whole community (7-10).Most rulers were corrupt, favouring the rich and oppressing the poor, but... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Job 29:8

Job 29:8. The young men saw me, and hid themselves— Among the honours paid to Job in the time of his prosperity, though he was the greatest of all the men of the east, his cotemporaries, we do not find that prostration was ever used towards him, or so much as thought of. The young men when they saw him, through a rustical bashfulness, hid themselves; the aged stood up; the nobles held their peace; they were all attention when he spoke. Their tokens of respect, in short, were natural and manly;... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Job 29:8

8. hid—not literally; rather, "stepped backwards," reverentially. The aged, who were already seated, arose and remained standing (Hebrew) until Job seated himself. Oriental manners. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Job 29:1-25

Job’s past blessedness ch. 29"Chapter 29 is another classic example of Semitic rhetoric with all the elements of good symmetrical style. . . . The pattern is as follows:"Blessing, Job 29:2-6Honor, Job 29:7-11Job’s benevolence, Job 29:12-17Blessing, Job 29:18-20Honor, Job 29:21-25 . . ."Job in asserting his benevolence places a description of it in the climatic position in this oration, with the key line (Job 29:14) in the exact middle of the poem." [Note: Smick, "Architectonics, Structured . .... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Job 29:1-40

2. Job’s defense of his innocence ch. 29-31Job gave a soliloquy before his dialogue with his three friends began (ch. 3). Now he concluded that dialogue with two soliloquies (chs. 28 and 29-31). In this second of the bracketing two, Job longed for his past state of blessedness (ch. 29), lamented his present misery (ch. 30), and reaffirmed his innocence calling on God to vindicate him in the future (ch. 31). This whole discourse is a kind of concluding summary of his case, and he delivered it as... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Job 29:1-25

Job’s Past Greatness and HappinessJob mournfully recalls the days of God’s favour, and the prosperity and honour he once enjoyed. In this chapter we have the picture of a great and worthy chieftain looked up to and respected by all. It confirms the description of Job’s importance in Job 1.3. Candle] RV ’lamp’; a figure of God’s favour. 4. Days of my youth] RV ’ripeness of my days.’ Secret] RM’ friendship.’ Tabernacle] RV ’tent.’6. A figure of prosperity: cp. Deuteronomy 33:24.7. Through the... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Job 29:1-40

These chapters form a section by themselves, in which Job reviews his life. He first of all draws a picture of his past prosperous career, when he was happy and respected (Job 29). With this he contrasts his present condition, when men he once despised now hold him in contempt, and he is in pain and sorrow and disgrace (Job 30). Finally, he reasserts his innocence of wickedness in any form (Job 31). read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Job 29:1-25

Job 29:2 At the close of his paper on Good-Nature ( Spectator, No. 171), Addison quotes this chapter as one of 'several passages which I have always read with great delight in the book of Job. It is the Account which that Holy Man gives of his Behaviour in the Days of his Prosperity; and, if considered only as a human Composition, is a finer picture of a charitable and good-natured man than is to be met with in any other author.' 'People do not dream when they are happy. For the last few... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Job 29:1-25

XXIV.AS A PRINCE BEFORE THE KINGJob 29:1-25; Job 30:1-31; Job 31:1-40Job SPEAKSFROM the pain and desolation to which he has become inured as a pitiable second state of existence, Job looks back to the years of prosperity and health which in long succession he once enjoyed. This parable or review of the past ends his contention. Honour and blessedness are apparently denied him forever. With what has been he compares his present misery and proceeds to a bold and noble vindication of his character... read more

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