Job 29:21

Job 29:21 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel.
• New International Version (NIV)“People listened to me expectantly, waiting in silence for my counsel.
• English Standard Version (ESV)"Men listened to me and waited and kept silence for my counsel.
• New King James Version (NKJV)“Men listened to me and waited, And kept silence for my counsel.

Context of Job 29:21

19For I am like a tree whose roots reach the water, whose branches are refreshed with the dew. 20New honors are constantly bestowed on me, and my strength is continually renewed.’ “Everyone listened to my advice. They were silent as they waited for me to speak. 22And after I spoke, they had nothing to add, for my counsel satisfied them. 23They longed for me to speak as people long for rain. They drank my words like a refreshing spring rain.

Job 29:21 word by word

לִֽי־שָׁמְע֥וּ וְיִחֵ֑לּוּ וְ֝יִדְּמ֗וּ לְמ֣וֹ עֲצָתִֽי׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• gave earשָׁמַעshâma‛ · to hear: hearH8085
• and waitedיָחַלyâchal · to wait: waitH3176
• and kept silenceדָּמַםdâmam · to silence: silentH1826
• atלְמוֹlemô · uponH3926
• my counselעֵצָה‛êtsâh · counselH6098

Cross-references for Job 29:21

• Job 29:9The princes stood in silence and put their hands over their mouths.
• Job 32:11“I have waited all this time, listening very carefully to your arguments, listening to you grope for words.

Commentaries on Job 29:21

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 21Unto me men gave ear - The same idea as in Job 29:9-11.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21Unto me men gave ear - Job here returns to the time when he sat in the assembly of counsellors, and to the respectful attention which was paid to all that he said. They listened when he spoke; they waited for him to speak before they gave their opinion; and they were then silent. They neither interrupted him nor attempted a reply.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. 2121. Job reverts with peculiar pleasure to his former dignity in assemblies (Job 29:7-10).Read the comment

In the dictionaries

• Aged
• Chief
• Ready
• Job, Book of
• Proverbs, the Book of
• bow and arrow, a bow

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