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“If only my life could be like it used to be, in the days when God watched over me, 3when he made his lamp shine on my head, when I walked through the dark in his light. If only I were in the prime of my life ⌞again⌟, when God was an adviser in my tent. 5When the Almighty was still with me and my children were around me, 6my steps were bathed in buttermilk, and the rocks poured streams of olive oil on me.

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 1:10Haven’t you put a protective fence around him, his home, and everything he has? You have blessed everything he does. His cattle have spread out over the land.
• Job 15:8Did you listen in on God’s council meeting and receive a monopoly on wisdom?
• Psalms 25:14The Lord advises those who fear him. He reveals to them the intent of his promise.
• Psalms 27:5He hides me in his shelter when there is trouble. He keeps me hidden in his tent. He sets me high on a rock.
• Psalms 91:1Whoever lives under the shelter of the Most High will remain in the shadow of the Almighty.
• Proverbs 3:32The devious person is disgusting to the Lord. The Lord’s intimate advice is with decent people.
• Colossians 3:3You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

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
• 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