Job 29:24

Job 29:24 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)If I laughed on them, they believed it not; and the light of my countenance they cast not down.
• New International Version (NIV)When I smiled at them, they scarcely believed it; the light of my face was precious to them.
• English Standard Version (ESV)I smiled on them when they had no confidence, and the light of my face they did not cast down.
• New King James Version (NKJV)If I mocked at them, they did not believe it, And the light of my countenance they did not cast down.

Context of Job 29:24

22After I spoke, they did not speak again, And my speech dropped upon them [like a refreshing shower]. 23They waited for me [and for my words] as for the rain, And they opened their mouths as for the spring rain. I smiled at them when they did not believe, And they did not diminish the light of my face. 25I chose a way for them and sat as chief, And dwelt as a king among his soldiers, As one who comforts mourners.

Job 29:24 word by word

אֶשְׂחַ֣ק אֲ֭לֵהֶם לֹ֣א יַאֲמִ֑ינוּ וְא֥וֹר פָּ֝נַ֗י לֹ֣א יַפִּילֽוּן׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• I laughedשָׂחַקώâchaq · to laughH7832
• on them, they believedאָמַן'âman · be faithfulH539
• not; and the lightאוֹר'ôr · lightH216
• of my countenanceפָּנֶהpânîym · faceH6440
• they cast not downנָפַלnâphal · to fall: fallH5307

Cross-references for Job 29:24

• Genesis 45:26and they said to him, “Joseph is still alive, and indeed he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.” But Jacob was stunned and his heart almost stopped beating, because he did not believe them.
• Psalms 126:1When the Lord brought back the captives to Zion (Jerusalem), We were like those who dream [it seemed so unreal].
• Luke 24:41While they still did not believe it because of their joy and amazement, He asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”
• Psalms 4:6Many are saying, “Oh, that we might see some good!” Lift up the light of Your face upon us, O Lord.
• Psalms 89:15Blessed and happy are the people who know the joyful sound [of the trumpet’s blast]! They walk, O Lord, in the light and favor of Your countenance!

Commentaries on Job 29:24

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 24I laughed on them, they believed it not - Similar to that expression in the Gospel, Luke 24:41; : And while they believed not for joy, and wondered, he said - . Our version is sufficiently perspicuous, and gives the true sense of the original, only it should be read in the indicative and not in the subjunctive mood: I laughed on them - they believed it not. We have a similar phrase: The news was too good to be true. The light of my countenance - This…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 18-25Verses 18-25 Being thus honoured and useful, Job had hoped to die in peace and honour, in a good old age. If such an expectation arise from lively faith in the providence and promise of God, it is well; but if from conceit of our own wisdom, and dependence on changeable, earthly things, it is ill grounded, and turns to sin. Every one that has the spirit of wisdom, has not the spirit of government; but Job had both. Yet he had the tenderness of a…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-25Job compares his past happiness, honor, and wealth with his current loss of social dignity and divine friendship (chapters 29 and 30). He ends his speech with broad vows of innocence (chapter 31).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2424. When I relaxed from my wonted gravity (a virtue much esteemed in the East) and smiled, they could hardly credit it; and yet, notwithstanding my condescension, they did not cast aside reverence for my gravity. But the parallelism is better in Umbreit's translation, "I smiled kindly on those who trusted not," that is, in times of danger I cheered those in despondency. And they could not cast down (by their despondency) my serenity of countenance…Read the comment

Topics related to Job 29:24

• Countenance

In the dictionaries

• Aged
• Chief
• Ready
• Countenance
• Gesture
• Job, Book of
• Laughter
• Proverbs, the Book of

Commentaries on Job 29

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings