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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 29:18-25

That which crowned Job's prosperity was the pleasing prospect he had of the continuance of it. Though he knew, in general, that he was liable to trouble, and therefore was not secure (Job 3:26; I was not in safety, neither had I rest), yet he had no particular occasion for fear, but as much reason as ever any man had to count upon the lengthening out of his tranquility. I. See here what his thoughts were in his prosperity (Job 29:18): Then I said, I shall die in my nest. Having made himself a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 29:18

Then I said, I shall die in my nest ,.... Job, amidst all his prosperity, knew he should die, death and the grave being appointed for all men; and he often thought of it, and of the manner of it; but he concluded that death was as yet some distance from him, as appears from the following clause; and that, when the time was come, he should not die on the ground, but in the city in which he lived F13 So Rufus Virginius used to call the villa where he dwelt, "Senectutio suae Nidulum", Plin.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 29:19

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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 29:20

My glory was ,.... "Is" or "shall be"; fresh in me ; or "new" F7 חדש "nova", Mercerus, Piscator, Michaelis, Schultens. ; 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 29:21

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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 29:22

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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 29:23

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 James 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 29:24

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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 29:25

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,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 29:18

I shall die in my nest - As I endeavored to live soberly and temperately, fearing God, and departing from evil, endeavoring to promote the welfare of all around me, it was natural for me to conclude that I should live long, be very prosperous, and see my posterity multiply as the sands on the seashore. read more

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