Job 29

Job 29:1

COntinued] Heb. added to take up.

Job 29:3

When his candle shined upon my head] When I was in prosperity, Psalms 132:17.

candle] Or, lamp.

light] Psalms 18:28.

I walked through darknesse] When I could bear common calamities, encouraged by the comforts left me.

Job 29:4

when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle] When Gods providence made all I had to prosper.

Job 29:6

When I washed my steps with butter] By these similitudes, he declares the prosperitie that he was in. He could have washed his feet in butter, he had so much, Genesis 49:11. Job 20:7. Psalms 81:16.

me out] Heb. with me.

Job 29:7

When I went out to the gate] To the place of judgement, which was by the gate of the city. Job was a magistrate, Ruth. 4. 1. Jere. 38. 7.

Job 29:8

and hid themselves] For reverence to me.

and stood up] Stood up till I was gone past them, Leviticus 19:32.

Job 29:9

and laid their hand on their mouth] Held their peace to hear me speak, chap. 21. 5. Proverbs 30:32. So they acknowledged my wisdom.

Job 29:10

The nobles held their peace] Heb. the voice of the nobles was hid. Because of my wisdom, dignitie and beneficence, Luke 11. 27.

Job 29:11

then it blessed me] All that heard me, approved and praised me.

it gave witnesse to me] Testifying that I did good justice.

Job 29:13

The blessing of him that was ready to perish, came upon me] I delivered him that was in distresse, and he prayed God to blesse me.

Job 29:14

I put on righteousnesse] Psal. 132. 9, 16.

my judgement was as a robe] I delighted to do justice, as others did to wear costly apparell.

Job 29:15

I was eyes to the blinde] I gave counsell to the ignorant, and means to the poor.

Job 29:16

the cause which I knew not] Deuteronomy 13:14. Proverbs 25:2.

Job 29:17

I brake the jaws of the wicked] I hindered great men from oppressing others, as he that strikes out the teeth of a wilde beast. I kept them from hurting some, and rescued others, Psalms 3:7. and Psalms 58:6.

the jaws] Heb. the jaw-teeth, or, the grinders.

pluckt] Heb. cast.

out of his teeth] 1 Samuel 17:35. Amos 3:12.

Job 29:18

Then I said] Psalms 30:6.

I shall die in my nest] At home in my bed, without trouble, and unquietnesse in old age. A metaphor taken from birds, Psal. 104. 12, 17.

Job 29:19

spread] Heb. opened.

by the waters] My felicitie did encrease as a tree growing by the waters, Psalms 1:3. Jeremiah 17:8.

Job 29:20

fresh] Heb. new.

my bowe was renewed in my hand] My strength grew more and more daily, Genesis 49:24.

renewed] Heb. changed.

Job 29:21

and waited] Till I had done speaking, and agreeing thereunto.

Job 29:22

they spake not again] Either to adde to, or contradict my sentence.

my speech dropped upon them] Like a pleasing rain falling on a dry ground: my words delighted them, Deuteronomy 32:2.

Job 29:23

as for the rain] As the dry earth waiteth for the rain, Psalms 63:1. and Psalms 65:10.

they opened their mouth wide] As the earth gapeth in a drought, Proverbs 30:16.

for the latter rain] The latter rain was rare, but desirable to ripen the corn: or, after harvest to bring up the latter crop, Jeremiah 5:24. Deuteronomy 11:14.

Job 29:24

they beleeved it not] They thought a man of my gravitie would not be so familiar with them.

the light of my countenance they cast not down] My familiaritie did not cause then to grieve, anger, or contemn me.

Job 29:25

I chose out their way] I had them at command.

and sat chief] I was both loved and feared by them.

as] Or, and as.

that comforteth the mourners] Alluding to the manner of those that resorted to their friends in times of heavinesse, to comfort them, chap. 2. 11. and 42. 11.