Job 29 Job’ s former prosperity in God’s favour, Job 29:1–5. His honour and repute, Job 29:6–11, for his charity, Job 29:12–16, and punishing the wicked, Job 29:17. His hope herein, Job 29:18. His glory and honour repeated, Job 29:19–25.

To wit, from all those miseries which now I feel. This he desires, not only for his own ease and comfort, but also for the vindication of his reputation, and of the honour of religion, which suffered by his means: for as his calamities were the only ground of all their hard speeches and censures of…

His candle, i.e. his favour and blessing, oft signified by the name light; as his displeasure and a state of affliction is frequently called darkness. Upon my head, or, over my head, to comfort and direct me.

In the days of my youth, i.e. in my former and flourishing days, which he calls the days of youth, because those are commonly the times of mirth and comfort, as old age is called evil days, Eccles.

With me, i.e. on my side; whereas now he is against me, and hath forsaken me. My children, or servants, or both; and therefore he useth this word, which comprehends both.

i.e. When I abounded in all sorts of blessings; which is oft signified by this or the like phrases, as Gen. 49:11, Deut. 33:24, Job 20:17, Ps. 81:16; when I had such numerous herds of cattle, and consequently such plenty of butter, that if I had needed it, or been pleased so to use it, I might have…

When I went out from my dwelling to the gate, to wit, of the city, as the following words show; to the place of judicature, which was in the gates, as hath been oft observed. Through the city; through that part of the city which was between my house and the gate. Or, to the city, i.e.

Hid themselves; either out of a profound reverence to my person and dignity, or out of a conscience of their own guilt or folly, which they supposed I might either understand by information from others, or discover by their countenances or carriages in my presence, for which they knew I would…

Refrained talking; either fearing that I should discern their weakness by their words; or desiring to hear my words and sentence, which they readily approved of, and fully assented to.

It lay as still as if it had done so, and they could not have spoken.

It blessed me, i.e. pronounced me to be a man blessed of God with eminent gifts and graces; or heartily prayed for God’s blessing upon me, because of that wisdom and integrity which they saw in all my actions, and of the satisfaction which I gave to all, and the relief which I gave to the…

I delivered from his potent oppressor. They did not honour me for my great wealth or power, but for my impartial justice and pity to the afflicted, and courage in maintaining their cause and right against their mighty adversaries.

The blessing, wherewith both he and others for his sake blessed me, and begged that God would bless me. To perish; to lose his life or estate by the malice and tyranny of wicked men.

It clothed me: as a garment covers the whole body, and is worn continually all the day long; so I was constantly just in the whole course of all my administrations, public and private, and never put off this garment out of a partial respect to myself, or to the persons of other men, as the manner…

Eyes, 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.

A father, i.e. had the care and bowels of a father to them. The cause which I knew not; either, 1. Those which were not brought to my knowledge or tribunal, either through neglect, or because the injured persons durst not complain, I diligently inquired after. Or, 2.

The jaws; or, the jaw-bones; or, the grinders, the sharpest and strongest teeth in the jaw, i.e. their power and violence wherewith they used to oppress others. It is a metaphor from wild beasts, which break their prey with their teeth. Compare Ps. 3:7, Ps. 57:4, Ps. 58:6.

Then I said, i.e. I persuaded myself, being thus strongly fortified with the conscience of my own universal integrity, and with the singular favour of God, and of all men.

I was continually watered by Divine favour and blessing, as a tree which is constantly supplied with moisture, both in its root and branches, and consequently must needs be fruitful and flourishing.

My glory was fresh; the reputation which I had gained by my just and virtuous life was not decaying, but growing, and every day augmented with the accession of new honours. In me, Heb. with me. My bow, i.e. my strength, which is signified by a bow, Gen. 49:24, 1 Sam.

Expecting till I spoke, and silently listening to my counsel, which they were confident would be like the oracle of God, wise, and just, and good, and preferring it before their own judgment.

After my words they spake not again; either to confute them as false, or to add to them as lame and imperfect. Dropped upon them, to wit, as the rain, as the next verse explains it, which when it comes down gently and droppingly upon the earth, is most acceptable and beneficial to it; not so when…

As for the rain; as the earth or the husbandman waiteth for the rain, to wit, the former rain, of which see Deut. 11:14, because the latter rain is here opposed to it: see James 5:7.

If I laughed on them, or sported or jested with them, i.e. carried myself familiarly and pleasantly with them. They believed it not; it was so acceptable to them to see me well-pleased with them, that they could scarce believe their eyes and ears that it was so: compare Gen. 45:26, Ps. 126:1.

I chose out their way; they sought to me for my advice in all doubtful and difficult cases, and I chalked out their path, and directed them what methods they should take to accomplish their desires. Sat, as a prince or judge, whilst they stood waiting for my counsel.