God’s Word Translation
Job 29:23
23They were as eager to hear me as they were for rain. They opened their mouths wide as if waiting for a spring shower.
Job 29:23 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain.
- New International Version (NIV)They waited for me as for showers and drank in my words as the spring rain.
- English Standard Version (ESV)They waited for me as for the rain, and they opened their mouths as for the spring rain.
- New King James Version (NKJV)They waited for me as for the rain, And they opened their mouth wide as for the spring rain.
Context of Job 29:23
21“People listened to me eagerly, quietly waiting for my advice. 22After I had spoken, they wouldn’t speak again. After all, my words fell gently on them. They were as eager to hear me as they were for rain. They opened their mouths wide as if waiting for a spring shower. 24When I smiled at them, they could hardly believe it, but the expression on my face did not change. 25I decided how they should live. I sat as their leader. I lived like a king among his troops, like one who comforts mourners.
Read all of Job 29Job 29:23 word by word
וְיִֽחֲל֣וּ כַמָּטָ֣ר לִ֑י וּ֝פִיהֶ֗ם פָּעֲר֥וּ לְמַלְקֽוֹשׁ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Job 29:23
- Psalms 72:6May he be like rain that falls on ⌞freshly⌟ cut grass, like showers that water the land.
- Hosea 6:3Let’s learn about the Lord. Let’s get to know the Lord. He will come to us as sure as the morning comes. He will come to us like the autumn rains and the spring rains that water the ground.
- Zechariah 10:1Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime. The Lord makes thunderstorms. He gives everyone rain showers for the plants in the field.
Commentaries on Job 29:23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23They waited for me as for the rain - The idea continued. They longed as much to hear me speak, to receive my counsel and my decisions, as the thirsty land does for refreshing waters. They opened their mouth wide - A metaphor taken from ground chapped with long drought. The latter rain - The rain that falls a little before harvest, in order to fill and perfect the grain. The former rain is that which falls about seed-time, or in spring, in order to…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. 2323. Image of Job 29:22 continued. They waited for my salutary counsel, as the dry soil does for the refreshing rain. opened ... mouth--panted for; Oriental image (Psa 119:131). The "early rain" is in autumn and onwards, while the seed is being sown. The "latter rain" is in March, and brings forward the harvest, which ripens in May or June. Between the early and latter rains, some rain falls, but not in such quantities as those rains. Between March and…Read the comment
In the dictionaries
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries