Job 29:21
Job 29:21 in Multiple Translations
Men listened to me with expectation, waiting silently for my counsel.
Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel.
Unto me men gave ear, and waited, And kept silence for my counsel.
Men gave ear to me, waiting and keeping quiet for my suggestions.
People listened carefully to what I had to say; they kept quiet as they listened to my advice.
Vnto me men gaue eare, and wayted, and helde their tongue at my counsell.
To me they have hearkened, Yea, they wait, and are silent for my counsel.
“Men listened to me, waited, and kept silence for my counsel.
To me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel.
They that heard me, waited for my sentence, and being attentive held their peace at my counsel.
“When I spoke, people waited to hear what I would say and remained silent until I advised them what they should do.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 29:21
BAB
Word Study
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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 29:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
לִֽ/י
שָׁמְע֥וּ
וְ/יִחֵ֑לּוּ
וְ֝/יִדְּמ֗וּ
לְמ֣וֹ
עֲצָתִֽ/י
לִֽ/י
Prep | Suff
שָׁמְע֥וּ
shâmaʻ
H8085
to hear
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
וְ/יִחֵ֑לּוּ
yâchal
H3176
to wait
Conj | V-Piel-Perf-3cp
וְ֝/יִדְּמ֗וּ
dâmam
H1826
to silence
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
לְמ֣וֹ
lᵉmôw
H3926
upon
Prep
עֲצָתִֽ/י
ʻêtsâh
H6098
counsel
N-fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 29:21
לִֽ/י
""
Prep | Suff
שָׁמְע֥וּ
shâmaʻ
H8085
"to hear"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.
Definition: : hear v 1) to hear, listen to, obey 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hear (perceive by ear) 1a2) to hear of or concerning 1a3) to hear (have power to hear) 1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to 1a5) to understand (language) 1a6) to hear (of judicial cases) 1a7) to listen, give heed 1a7a) to consent, agree 1a7b) to grant request 1a8) to listen to, yield to 1a9) to obey, be obedient 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound) 1b2) to be heard of 1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed 1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound 1d2) to sound aloud (musical term) 1d3) to make proclamation, summon 1d4) to cause to be heard n m 2) sound
Usage: Occurs in 1072 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. See also: Genesis 3:8; Exodus 32:18; Deuteronomy 27:9.
וְ/יִחֵ֑לּוּ
yâchal
H3176
"to wait"
Conj | V-Piel-Perf-3cp
To wait or be patient is the meaning of this verb, used to describe hoping or trusting in something, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: : wait[for_time] 1) to wait, hope, expect 1a) (Niphal) to wait 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to wait, await, tarry 1b2) to wait for, hope for 1c) (Hiphil) to wait, tarry, wait for, hope for Also means: ya.chal (יָחַל ": hope" H3176H)
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: (cause to, have, make to) hope, be pained, stay, tarry, trust, wait. See also: Genesis 8:12; Psalms 69:4; Psalms 31:25.
וְ֝/יִדְּמ֗וּ
dâmam
H1826
"to silence"
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
In the original Hebrew, this verb means to wail or mourn, often in response to a tragic event, like in Job 30:31 where Job laments his suffering. It can also mean to be astonished or stop an activity.
Definition: : stationary 1) to be silent, be still, wait, be dumb, grow dumb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be silent 1a2) to be still, die 1a3) to be struck dumb 1b) (Niphal) to be silenced, be made silent, destroyed 1c) (Poal) to make quiet 1d) (Hiphil) to make silent (cause to die)
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: cease, be cut down (off), forbear, hold peace, quiet self, rest, be silent, keep (put to) silence, be (stand) still, tarry, wait. See also: Exodus 15:16; Psalms 62:6; Psalms 4:5.
לְמ֣וֹ
lᵉmôw
H3926
"upon"
Prep
Means 'to or for', often used to show direction or purpose, as in 'to' or 'for' someone. Appears in various Bible books, including Genesis and Psalms. It's a preposition that indicates movement or intention.
Definition: 1) at, to, for, in, of, by, in reference to 1a) poetic form of inseparable preposition
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: at, for, to, upon. See also: Job 27:14; Job 38:40; Job 40:4.
עֲצָתִֽ/י
ʻêtsâh
H6098
"counsel"
N-fs | Suff
This Hebrew word means counsel or advice, implying a plan or purpose. It is used in the Bible when describing wise decision-making.
Definition: counsel, advice, purpose
Usage: Occurs in 85 OT verses. KJV: advice, advisement, counsel(l-(or)), purpose. See also: Deuteronomy 32:28; Psalms 107:11; Psalms 1:1.
Study Notes — Job 29:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 29:21 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 29:21
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 29:21
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 29:21
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 29:21
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 29:21
- Cambridge Bible on Job 29:21
- Barnes' Notes on Job 29:21
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 29:21
- Sermons on Job 29:21
Context — Job’s Former Blessings
19My roots will spread out to the waters, and the dew will rest nightly on my branches.
20My glory is ever new within me, and my bow is renewed in my hand.’
21Men listened to me with expectation, waiting silently for my counsel.
22After my words, they spoke no more; my speech settled on them like dew. 23They waited for me as for rain and drank in my words like spring showers.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 32:11–12 | Indeed, I waited while you spoke; I listened to your reasoning; as you searched for words, I paid you full attention. But no one proved Job wrong; not one of you rebutted his arguments. |
| 2 | Job 29:9–10 | The princes refrained from speaking and covered their mouths with their hands. The voices of the nobles were hushed, and their tongues stuck to the roofs of their mouths. |
Job 29:21 Summary
[This verse means that people really looked up to Job and wanted to hear what he had to say, so they would wait quietly for him to speak. It's like when you really respect someone and want to hear their thoughts, like a parent or a teacher. Job was a wise and fair leader, and people valued his counsel, similar to how we are encouraged to seek wisdom in Proverbs 1:7. By following Job's example and seeking wisdom from God and others, we can become people whose counsel is sought after and valued.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for men to listen with expectation?
This means that people were eagerly waiting to hear Job's words, valuing his counsel and guidance, much like the people of Israel waited to hear from Moses in Exodus 24:3 or how the crowd listened to Jesus in Luke 19:48.
Why were men waiting silently for Job's counsel?
Men were waiting silently because they highly respected Job and recognized his wisdom, similar to how people respected Solomon's wisdom in 1 Kings 10:24, and they wanted to hear his thoughts before speaking themselves.
How does this verse relate to being a good leader?
This verse shows that a good leader, like Job, should be someone whose counsel is sought after and valued, as seen in Proverbs 11:14, and that people should be eager to listen to and follow their guidance.
What can we learn from Job's experience in this verse?
We can learn the importance of seeking wisdom and counsel from others, as well as being a source of wisdom and guidance for those around us, as encouraged in Proverbs 27:9 and Romans 12:15.
Reflection Questions
- What are some times in my life when I have sought counsel from others, and what did I learn from those experiences?
- How can I cultivate a spirit of wisdom and discernment, so that others may seek my counsel and guidance?
- In what ways can I create opportunities for others to share their thoughts and ideas, and how can I listen to them silently and with expectation?
- What are some ways that I can apply the principles of wise leadership and counsel in my own life and relationships?
Gill's Exposition on Job 29:21
Unto me [men] gave ear,.... Or give ear, or shall give ear, being all ear; all attention to him, listening to what he said with the utmost diligence and earnestness; even all sorts of men, high and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 29:21
Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel. Job reverts with perculiar pleasure to his former dignity in assemblies (Job 29:7-10).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 29:21
Expecting till I spoke, and silently listening to my counsel, which they were confident would be like the oracle of God, wise, and just, and good, and preferring it before their own judgment.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 29:21
Job 29:21 Unto me [men] gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel.Ver. 21. Unto me men gave ear, and waited] i.e. Such a gift I had in flexanimous oratory, that my auditors were held, as it were, by the ears in great attention to my speeches; as Lucian saith of Alcibiades, and Cicero of Crassus; and as the poets fable of their Hercules, that he had the ears of his hearers chained to his tongue, as being, Aμφοτεροςρητηρταγαθος, κρατεροςταιχημτης. And kept silence at my counsel] Received it as an oracle from heaven with all humble submission and plenary satisfaction; so great was the force of his wisdom, the weight of his counsel, and the authority of his person, tanquam ex tripode dictum. Erant κυριαικαιαμυμονεςδοξαι (Lavat.). In some men’ s discourses a man shall have satis eloquentiae, sapientiae parum, much eloquence, little enough wisdom. But where there is a concurrence of these two, as was in Job, much may be done. This great men are not ignorant of, and do therefore greatly covet eloquence, Non phaleratam illam sed fortem; non effeminatum sed virilem, not a pedantic style or phrase, but majestic; such as was that of Phocion, a great orator, but one that could speak much in few, as Plutarch reporteth, πλειστονενελαχιστηλεξεινουνειχε; or that of Julius Caesar, who wrote as he fought; and whom a man might know to be a soldier by his words, had he never heard of his noble achievements.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 29:21
Verse 21. Unto me men gave ear] The same idea as in Job 29:9-11.
Cambridge Bible on Job 29:21
21–25. Return to the main thought of the passage, his place among men, his brothers.
Barnes' Notes on Job 29:21
Unto 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.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 29:21
21. Kept silence at my counsel — Not unlike “the long silence” that followed upon one of the masterly arguments of Socrates. — Phaedo, 76.
Sermons on Job 29:21
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Job's Trials and Mercies by William Plumer | William Plumer preaches on the profound story of Job, highlighting his unwavering faith and patience amidst extreme suffering and loss. Job, a man of great piety and wealth, faced |