Job 29 1

Job 29:1 kjv

Moreover Job continued his parable, and said,

Job 29:1 nkjv

Job further continued his discourse, and said:

Job 29:1 niv

Job continued his discourse:

Job 29:1 esv

And Job again took up his discourse, and said:

Job 29:1 nlt

Job continued speaking:

Job 29 verses

Job 29 1 Meaning

Job chapter 29, verse 1 introduces a significant shift in the book, marking the beginning of Job's final and most extensive discourse. After a period of silence and the speeches of his friends and Elihu, this verse indicates Job's formal resumption of speech. He is not merely responding but "taking up" a solemn and weighty "discourse," signifying a profound, perhaps even poetic or proverbial, utterance that carries authority and significance. It sets the stage for Job to reflect on his past glory, lament his current suffering, and ultimately declare his innocence before God.

Job 29 1 Context

Job 29:1 functions as a crucial literary transition. It immediately follows the extended speeches of Elihu (chapters 32-37), who provided a younger, theologically sophisticated critique of Job and his friends, emphasizing God's righteousness and wisdom. Prior to Elihu, the heated and circular debates between Job and his three friends concluded (chapters 3-27). This verse signals the commencement of Job's final major monologue (chapters 29-31), delivered before God's direct intervention. In this segment, Job shifts from responding to his friends' accusations to offering a grand summary of his past life and a powerful, final declaration of his innocence and integrity before the Almighty, laying his case for divine justice. The setting is one of intense personal suffering, theological wrestling, and an anticipation of a divine response.

Job 29 1 Word Analysis

• And (וַיֹּסֶף, vayyo'sef): More than a simple conjunction, this verb means "he added," "he continued," or "he did again." It signals a resumption of action previously performed, emphasizing that Job is returning to his discourse, specifically the weighty, formal kind.
• Job (אִיּוֹב, ’iyyowb): The central character of the book, whose name may mean "persecuted" or "object of hostility." This verse reaffirms him as the speaker, highlighting that despite his profound suffering, he retains the ability and intention to speak out and present his case.
• again (וַיֹּסֶף, vayyo'sef): This is embedded in vayyo'sef ("and he added"). It implies not merely "another time" but a significant resumption of a particular kind of speech, distinct from informal conversation. It underscores the deliberateness of Job's forthcoming words.
• took up (וַיִּשָּׂא, vayyissa'): Literally "and he lifted" or "and he carried." When associated with "voice" or "discourse," it denotes the raising or elevation of something, signifying a formal, weighty, or solemn commencement of speech. It suggests a prepared or considered utterance, not a casual remark.
• his discourse (מְשָׁלוֹ, meshālōw): This is mashal with the possessive suffix "his." Mashal is a highly significant Hebrew term, far richer than "discourse." It encompasses a wide range of literary forms, including:
  • Proverb or adage: A concise saying embodying a truth or observation.
  • Parable: An illustrative story or extended analogy.
  • Riddle: A perplexing question or statement.
  • Taunt or satirical song: A cutting or mocking address.
  • Solemn or weighty utterance/oracle: Often a divinely inspired or profoundly insightful declaration.In the context of Job 29-31, mashal implies a highly structured, poetic, and authoritative presentation of Job's experience, righteousness, and argument, akin to a lament, an address to the divine court, or a profound reflection on the nature of wisdom. It elevates Job's speech beyond a mere complaint to a formal legal or poetic appeal.
• and said (וַיֹּאמַר, vayyo'mar): A common Hebrew phrase for introducing direct speech. It simply states that the verbal act of speaking then occurred, following the solemn "taking up" of the discourse.

Words-group analysis:

• "And Job again took up his discourse": This phrase dramatically announces Job's re-entry into the conversation. The cumulative meaning emphasizes a deliberate, weighty, and significant verbal act. "Again" signifies a pattern of Job expressing his inner turmoil and conviction through formalized speech, particularly after significant breaks or arguments. "Took up his discourse" powerfully conveys that what follows is not casual talk but a solemn, perhaps poetic or legally-structured, declaration. This signals to the reader the beginning of a profound section that encapsulates Job's self-defense and reflections on divine justice.

Job 29 1 Bonus section

The phrase "took up his mashal" aligns Job's utterance with ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature and prophetic oracles. This mashal may even be understood as Job presenting his own "parable of suffering," offering his life story as a complex riddle or example for others to ponder regarding God's ways. Scholars suggest that the repetition of such introductory phrases (vayyo'sef vayyissa' meshālōw) indicates distinct, significant literary sections within the book of Job, each contributing to the overarching argument and themes. This also implicitly establishes Job as a wisdom teacher or sage, even in his distress, as he is crafting a weighty, instructive address.

Job 29 1 Commentary

Job 29:1 acts as an anacrusis, a literary flourish preceding the heart of Job's most comprehensive statement. The simple introductory words carry deep implications for the nature of what follows. Job "again took up his mashal" signifies his intentional, formal, and authoritative speech, marking a crucial turning point. This is not a fresh outburst but a prepared, measured statement from a man who, despite profound suffering, remains firm in his integrity. He uses the mashal form to convey not just emotion, but profound truth, wisdom, and a legal-style presentation of his character and case to God. It frames Job's subsequent chapters as a powerful, articulate lament and defense, highlighting the depth of his suffering through the lens of a glorious past. It sets the tone for Job to recount his exemplary life before his afflictions, thus starkly contrasting his previous prosperity with his present destitution.