Read the Bible — American Standard Version · Job

Job 29

1 And Job again took up his parable, and said,

Cross references & Strong's
Cross references (TSK): Numbers 23:7 · Job 13:12 · Job 27:1
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Moreover Job H347 (אִיּוֹב) — Ijob, the patriarch famous for his patience
  • continued H5375 (נָשָׂא) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
  • continued H3254 (יָסַף) — to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
  • his parable H4912 (מָשָׁל) — properly, a pithy maxim, usually of metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage, poem, discourse)
  • and said H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)

2 Oh that I were as in the months of old, As in the days when God watched over me;

Cross references & Strong's
Cross references (TSK): Job 1:1 · Job 1:10 · Job 7:3 · Psalms 37:28 · Jeremiah 31:28
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Oh that H5414 (נָתַן) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
  • months H3391 (יֶרַח) — a lunation, i.e. month
  • past H6924 (קֶדֶם) — the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the East) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)
  • the days H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
  • God H433 (אֱלוֹהַּ) — a deity or the Deity
  • preserved H8104 (שָׁמַר) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.

3 When his lamp shined upon my head, And by his light I walked through darkness;

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • When his candle H5216 (נִיר) — a lamp (i.e. the burner) or light (literally or figuratively)
  • shined H1984 (הָלַל) — to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively, to ce…
  • upon my head H7218 (רֹאשׁ) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
  • by his light H216 (אוֹר) — illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
  • I walked H3212 (יָלַךְ) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
  • darkness H2822 (חֹשֶׁךְ) — the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness

4 As I was in the ripeness of my days, When the friendship of God was upon my tent;

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • As I was in the days H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
  • of my youth H2779 (חֹרֶף) — properly, the crop gathered, i.e. (by implication) the autumn (and winter) season; figuratively, ripeness of age
  • when the friendship and counsel H5475 (סוֹד) — a session, i.e. company of persons (in close deliberation); by implication, intimacy, consultation, a secret
  • of God H433 (אֱלוֹהַּ) — a deity or the Deity
  • upon my tabernacle H168 (אֹהֶל) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

5 When the Almighty was yet with me, And my children were about me;

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • When the Almighty H7706 (שַׁדַּי) — the Almighty
  • my children H5288 (נַעַר) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latitude in age…
  • about H5439 (סָבִיב) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

6 When my steps were washed with butter, And the rock poured me out streams of oil!

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • When I washed H7364 (רָחַץ) — to lave (the whole or a part of a thing)
  • my steps H1978 (הָלִיךְ) — a walk, i.e. (by implication) a step
  • with butter H2529 (חֶמְאָה) — curdled milk or cheese
  • and the rock H6697 (צוּר) — properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous)
  • poured me out H6694 (צוּק) — to pour out, i.e. (figuratively) smelt, utter
  • rivers H6388 (פֶּלֶג) — a rill (i.e. small channel of water, as in irrigation)
  • of oil H8081 (שֶׁמֶן) — grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness

7 When I went forth to the gate unto the city, When I prepared my seat in the street,

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • When I went out H3318 (יָצָא) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.
  • to the gate H8179 (שַׁעַר) — an opening, i.e. door or gate
  • through the city H7176 (קֶרֶת) — a city
  • I prepared H3559 (כּוּן) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix, prepare, a…
  • my seat H4186 (מוֹשָׁב) — a seat; figuratively, a site; abstractly, a session; by extension an abode (the place or the time); by implication, population
  • in the street H7339 (רְחֹב) — a width, i.e. (concretely) avenue or area

8 The young men saw me and hid themselves, And the aged rose up and stood;

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • The young men H5288 (נַעַר) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latitude in age…
  • saw H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
  • me, and hid H2244 (חָבָא) — to secrete
  • themselves: and the aged H3453 (יָשִׁישׁ) — an old man
  • arose H6965 (קוּם) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
  • stood up H5975 (עָמַד) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

9 The princes refrained from talking, And laid their hand on their mouth;

Cross references & Strong's
Cross references (TSK): Judges 18:19 · Job 4:2 · Job 7:11 · Job 21:5 · Job 40:4 · Proverbs 10:19 · Proverbs 30:32
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • The princes H8269 (שַׂר) — a head person (of any rank or class)
  • refrained H6113 (עָצָר) — to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble
  • talking H4405 (מִלָּה) — a word; collectively, a discourse; figuratively, a topic
  • and laid H7760 (שׂוּם) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
  • hand H3709 (כַּף) — the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree); fig…
  • on their mouth H6310 (פֶּה) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) acc…

10 The voice of the nobles was hushed, And their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth.

Cross references & Strong's
Cross references (TSK): Psalms 137:6
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • The nobles H5057 (נָגִיד) — a commander (as occupying the front), civil, military or religious; generally (abstractly, plural), honorable themes
  • held H2244 (חָבָא) — to secrete
  • their peace H6963 (קוֹל) — a voice or sound
  • and their tongue H3956 (לָשׁוֹן) — the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame, a cove of…
  • cleaved H1692 (דָּבַק) — properly, to impinge, i.e. cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit
  • to the roof of their mouth H2441 (חֵךְ) — properly, the palate or inside of the mouth; hence, the mouth itself (as the organ of speech, taste and kissing)

11 For when the ear heard me, then it blessed me; And when the eye saw me, it gave witness unto me:

Cross references & Strong's
Cross references (TSK): Job 31:20 · Proverbs 29:2 · Matthew 25:17 · Luke 4:22 · Luke 11:27
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • When the ear H241 (אֹזֶן) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
  • heard H8085 (שָׁמַע) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
  • then it blessed H833 (אָשַׁר) — to be straight (used in the widest sense, especially to be level, right, happy); figuratively, to go forward, be honest, prosper
  • me; and when the eye H5869 (עַיִן) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
  • saw H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
  • it gave witness H5749 (עוּד) — to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration); intensively, to encompass, restore (as a sort of reduplication)

12 Because I delivered the poor that cried, The fatherless also, that had none to help him.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Because I delivered H4422 (מָלַט) — properly, to be smooth, i.e. (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth young, emit spa…
  • the poor H6041 (עָנִי) — depressed, in mind or circumstances
  • that cried H7768 (שָׁוַע) — properly, to be free; but used only causatively and reflexively, to halloo (for help, i.e. freedom from some trouble)
  • and the fatherless H3490 (יָתוֹם) — a bereaved person
  • none to help H5826 (עָזַר) — to surround, i.e. protect or aid

13 The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me; And I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • The blessing H1293 (בְּרָכָה) — benediction; by implication prosperity
  • of him that was ready to perish H6 (אָבַד) — properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
  • came H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
  • upon me: and I caused the widow’s H490 (אַלְמָנָה) — a widow; also a desolate place
  • heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
  • to sing for joy H7442 (רָנַן) — properly, to creak (or emit a stridulous sound), i.e. to shout (usually for joy)

14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: My justice was as a robe and a diadem.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • I put H3847 (לָבַשׁ) — properly, wrap around, i.e. (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively
  • on righteousness H6664 (צֶדֶק) — the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity
  • and it clothed H3847 (לָבַשׁ) — properly, wrap around, i.e. (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively
  • me: my judgment H4941 (מִשְׁפָּט) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or…
  • as a robe H4598 (מְעִיל) — a robe (i.e. upper and outer garment)
  • and a diadem H6797 (צָנִיף) — a head-dress (i.e. piece of cloth wrapped around)

15 I was eyes to the blind, And feet was I to the lame.

Cross references & Strong's
Cross references (TSK): Numbers 10:31 · Matthew 11:5 · 1 Corinthians 12:12
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • I was eyes H5869 (עַיִן) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
  • to the blind H5787 (עִוֵּר) — blind (literally or figuratively)
  • and feet H7272 (רֶגֶל) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
  • I to the lame H6455 (פִּסֵּחַ) — lame

16 I was a father to the needy: And the cause of him that I knew not I searched out.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • a father H1 (אָב) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
  • to the poor H34 (אֶבְיוֹן) — destitute
  • and the cause H7379 (רִיב) — a contest (personal or legal)
  • I knew H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
  • not I searched out H2713 (חָקַר) — properly, to penetrate; hence, to examine intimately

17 And I brake the jaws of the unrighteous, And plucked the prey out of his teeth.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • And I brake H7665 (שָׁבַר) — to burst (literally or figuratively)
  • the jaws H4973 (מְתַלְּעָה) — properly, a biter, i.e. a tooth
  • of the wicked H5767 (עַוָּל) — evil (morally)
  • and plucked H7993 (שָׁלַךְ) — to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)
  • the spoil H2964 (טֶרֶף) — something torn, i.e. a fragment, e.g. a fresh leaf, prey, food
  • out of his teeth H8127 (שֵׁן) — a tooth (as sharp); specifically ivory; figuratively, a cliff

18 Then I said, I shall die in my nest, And I shall multiply my days as the sand:

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Then I said H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
  • I shall die H1478 (גָּוַע) — to breathe out, i.e. (by implication) expire
  • in my nest H7064 (קֵן) — a nest (as fixed), sometimes including the nestlings; figuratively, a chamber or dwelling
  • and I shall multiply H7235 (רָבָה) — to increase (in whatever respect)
  • days H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
  • as the sand H2344 (חוֹל) — sand (as round or whirling particles)

19 My root is spread out to the waters, And the dew lieth all night upon my branch:

Cross references & Strong's
Cross references (TSK): Job 8:17 · Job 18:16 · Psalms 1:3 · Jeremiah 17:8 · Hosea 14:5
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • My root H8328 (שֶׁרֶשׁ) — a root (literally or figuratively)
  • spread out H6605 (פָּתַח) — to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
  • by the waters H4325 (מַיִם) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
  • and the dew H2919 (טַל) — dew (as covering vegetation)
  • lay all night H3885 (לוּן) — to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain)
  • upon my branch H7105 (קָצִיר) — severed, i.e. harvest (as reaped), the crop, the time, the reaper, or figuratively; also a limb (of a tree, or simply foliage)

20 My glory is fresh in me, And my bow is renewed in my hand.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • My glory H3519 (כָּבוֹד) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
  • fresh H2319 (חָדָשׁ) — new
  • in me H5978 (עִמָּד) — along with
  • and my bow H7198 (קֶשֶׁת) — a bow, for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris
  • was renewed H2498 (חָלַף) — properly, to slide by, i.e. (by implication) to hasten away, pass on, spring up, pierce or change
  • in my hand H3027 (יָד) — a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from 3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of a…

21 Unto me men gave ear, and waited, And kept silence for my counsel.

Cross references & Strong's
Cross references (TSK): Job 29:9 · Job 32:11
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • gave ear H8085 (שָׁמַע) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
  • and waited H3176 (יָחַל) — to wait; by implication, to be patient, hope
  • and kept silence H1826 (דָּמַם) — to be dumb; by implication, to be astonished, to stop; also to perish
  • at H3926 (לְמוֹ) — to or for
  • my counsel H6098 (עֵצָה) — advice; by implication, plan; also prudence

22 After my words they spake not again; And my speech distilled upon them.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • After H310 (אַחַר) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
  • my words H1697 (דָּבָר) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
  • they spake not again H8138 (שָׁנָה) — to fold, i.e. duplicate (literally or figuratively); by implication, to transmute (transitive or intransitive)
  • and my speech H4405 (מִלָּה) — a word; collectively, a discourse; figuratively, a topic
  • dropped H5197 (נָטַף) — to ooze, i.e. distil gradually; by implication, to fall in drops; figuratively, to speak by inspiration

23 And they waited for me as for the rain; And they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain.

Cross references & Strong's
Cross references (TSK): Psalms 72:6 · Jeremiah 5:24 · Hosea 6:3 · Zechariah 10:1
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • And they waited H3176 (יָחַל) — to wait; by implication, to be patient, hope
  • for me as for the rain H4306 (מָטַר) — rain
  • and they opened H6473 (פָּעַר) — to yawn, i.e. open wide (literally or figuratively)
  • their mouth H6310 (פֶּה) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) acc…
  • for the latter rain H4456 (מַלְקוֹשׁ) — the spring rain; figuratively, eloquence

24 I smiled on them, when they had no confidence; And the light of my countenance they cast not down.

Cross references & Strong's
Cross references (TSK): Genesis 45:26 · Psalms 4:6 · Psalms 89:15 · Psalms 126:1 · Luke 24:41
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • I laughed H7832 (שָׂחַק) — to laugh (in pleasure or detraction); by implication, to play
  • on them, they believed H539 (אָמַן) — properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent or quiet…
  • not; and the light H216 (אוֹר) — illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
  • of my countenance H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
  • they cast not down H5307 (נָפַל) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

25 I chose out their way, and sat as chief, And dwelt as a king in the army, As one that comforteth the mourners.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • I chose H977 (בָּחַר) — properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select
  • out their way H1870 (דֶּרֶךְ) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
  • and sat H3427 (יָשַׁב) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
  • chief H7218 (רֹאשׁ) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
  • and dwelt H7931 (שָׁכַן) — to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
  • as a king H4428 (מֶלֶךְ) — a king
  • among his troops H1416 (גְּדוּד) — a crowd (especially of soldiers)
  • comforteth H5162 (נָחַם) — properly, to sigh, i.e. breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e. (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavorably) to av…
  • the mourners H57 (אָבֵל) — lamenting