Job 29:4

Job 29:4 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle;
• New International Version (NIV)Oh, for the days when I was in my prime, when God’s intimate friendship blessed my house,
• English Standard Version (ESV)as I was in my prime, when the friendship of God was upon my tent,
• New King James Version (NKJV)Just as I was in the days of my prime, When the friendly counsel of God was over my tent;

Context of Job 29:4

2‘I would like my life to be as it was before, many months ago. At that time, God took care of me. 3He was my guide, as if he had a lamp to show me the way. His light kept me safe as I walked in dark places. I was strong and well. God was my friend and he protected my home. 5At that time, Almighty God was still with me. My children were near me. 6I got plenty of milk from my cows, so that my life was easy. My olive trees gave me lots of oil.

Job 29:4 word by word

כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר הָ֭יִיתִי בִּימֵ֣י חָרְפִּ֑י בְּס֥וֹד אֱ֝ל֗וֹהַּ עֲלֵ֣י אָהֳלִֽי׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• As I was in the daysיוֹםyôm · dayH3117
• of my youthחֹ֫רֶףchôreph · autumnH2779
• when the secretסוֹדsôd · counselH5475
• of Godאֱלֹהַּ'ĕlôahh 'ĕlôahh · godH433
• upon my tabernacleאֹ֫הֶל'ôhel · tentH168

Cross-references for Job 29:4

• Job 1:10You do not let any bad things happen to him. You keep him, his family and all his things safe. You have given him success with everything that he does. His many farm animals are everywhere!
• Job 15:8You do not know God's secret plans. You are not the only wise person in the world.
• Psalms 25:14The Lord is a guide for those who serve him. He teaches them to obey his covenant.
• Psalms 27:5When danger is near, the Lord will keep me safe. He will take care of me in his home. He will put me in a safe place, on the top of a high rock.
• Psalms 91:1If anyone lives in Almighty God's safe place, the Most High God protects that person.
• Proverbs 3:32The Lord hates wicked people. But he makes righteous people his friends.
• Colossians 3:3Remember that your old nature has died. God is keeping your new life safe with Christ.

Commentaries on Job 29:4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4The days of my youth - The original word rather means in the days of my winter, חרפי charpi, from חרף charaph, "to strip or make bare." Mr. Harmer supposes the rainy season is intended, when the fields, etc., parched up by long drought, are revived by the plentiful showers. Mr. Good thinks the word as found in the Arabic, which means top or summit, and which he translates perfection, is that which should be preferred. Others think the autumnal state is…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4As I was in the days of my youth - The word here rendered “youth” (חרף chôreph ), properly means “autumn - from” (חרף châraph ), to “pluck, pull,” as being the time when fruits ace gathered. Then it means that which is mature; and the meaning here is probably “mature” or “manly” - “As I was in the days of my ripeness;” that is, of my vigor or strength. The whole passage shows that it does not mean “youth,” for he goes on to describe the honor and…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. 44. youth--literally, "autumn"; the time of the ripe fruits of my prosperity. Applied to youth, as the Orientalists began their year with autumn, the most temperate season in the East. secret--when the intimate friendship of God rested on my tent (Pr 3:32; Psa 31:20; Ge 18:17; Joh 15:15). The Hebrew often means a divan for deliberation.Read the comment

Topics related to Job 29:4

• Children
• God

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Aged
• Chief
• Ready
• Job, 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