Job 29 14

Job 29:14 kjv

I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem.

Job 29:14 nkjv

I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; My justice was like a robe and a turban.

Job 29:14 niv

I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban.

Job 29:14 esv

I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was like a robe and a turban.

Job 29:14 nlt

Everything I did was honest.
Righteousness covered me like a robe,
and I wore justice like a turban.

Job 29 verses

Job 29 14 Meaning

Job proclaims that righteousness was not merely an external action but an integral part of his being, enveloping him like clothing and adorning him like a royal or priestly garment. His justice and upright conduct thoroughly defined his character and brought him dignity and authority.

Job 29 14 Context

This verse is part of Job’s passionate soliloquy in Job 29, where he vividly recalls his life before his profound suffering. He speaks of a time when he was blessed by God, highly esteemed in his community, and served as a compassionate and wise leader. Chapter 29 serves as a lament for his former glory, contrasting it with his present desolate state, and aiming to underscore his righteousness to counter his friends' accusations. Verse 14 specifically highlights his moral integrity and just conduct, portraying his inner character and outward actions as perfectly aligned and visibly commendable. In the broader historical and cultural context of the Ancient Near East, clothing often signified status, identity, and inner qualities, making Job's use of this metaphor particularly potent to describe how deeply integrated his righteousness was.

Job 29 14 Word analysis

• צֶדֶק (tzedek) - righteousness, justice: This Hebrew term signifies moral integrity, adherence to a high standard of rightness, and ethical purity. It denotes not just following rules, but embodying what is morally right, often in relationship to God and others.
• לָבַשְׁתִּי (laváshtî) - I put on, I clothed myself: This is the first person singular perfect of the verb "to put on clothing." It indicates Job's active and conscious choice to live righteously, showing his intentional effort and commitment.
• וַיִּלְבָּשֵׁנִי (vayyilbashénî) - and it clothed me: This is a crucial element. The verb changes subject; now "righteousness" (implied from the preceding "tzedek") becomes the one doing the clothing. It's a waw-consecutive imperfect from the same root. This suggests that Job's righteousness was not merely something external he donned, but something that pervaded him, encompassing and defining his very being. It became intrinsic, not just a surface act.
• כַּמְעִיל (kamməʿîl) - like a robe, like a mantle:
  • מְעִיל (me'il) refers to a long outer garment or mantle, often associated with dignity, status, authority, and ceremonial roles (worn by priests, kings, or notable persons). Its usage implies that Job's righteousness conveyed honor and respect, much like wearing a distinguished uniform.
• וְצָנִיף (wəṣānîf) - and a turban, diadem:
  • צָנִיף (tzanif) denotes a head-wrap or turban, specifically one worn for distinction, often associated with royalty, high priesthood, or consecration. Together with the "robe," it completes the picture of a person vested in complete regalia, signifying total authority, honor, and a sanctified presence.
• מִשְׁפָּטִי (mishpāṭî) - my justice, my judgment: This refers to the practical, public manifestation of Job's tzedek. It describes his fair dealings, equitable decisions, and his consistent application of justice in all matters. It moves beyond abstract righteousness to concrete, actionable conduct.

Job 29 14 Words-group analysis

• "I put on righteousness, and it clothed me": This dynamic phrase highlights the reciprocal relationship between Job's volitional act and the pervasive influence of righteousness. Job intentionally embraced a life of righteousness, and in turn, that very righteousness became a fundamental, all-encompassing part of his identity. It describes a moral character so deeply integrated that it automatically permeated his entire existence, transcending mere external performance.
• "my justice was like a robe and a turban": This comparison links Job's active and equitable conduct ("justice") with symbols of public honor and authoritative leadership ("robe and turban"). The "robe" covers and defines one's public image, suggesting his visible conduct was impeccable. The "turban," worn on the head, implies clarity of thought, wisdom in judgment, and a consecrated authority. This signifies that Job's outward actions and decisions were consistent with his inner righteous character, fully expressing his integrity and wisdom to all.

Job 29 14 Bonus section

• Challenging Retribution Theology: Job's assertion of his deep-seated righteousness and justice directly challenges the simplistic "Deuteronomic" or "retribution" theology prevalent in his day and advanced by his friends—the idea that suffering is always a direct result of sin. His declaration underscores the mystery of suffering and divine sovereignty, paving the way for a more nuanced understanding of God's ways.
• The Divine Standard: While Job laudably strives for and embodies human righteousness, his claim implicitly points to a greater reality: the ultimate source of perfect righteousness is God. The Old Testament later reveals God Himself as "clothed" with righteousness (Isa 59:17), and the New Testament shows how believers are clothed with the righteousness of Christ (2 Cor 5:21), highlighting God's perfect, imputed righteousness contrasted with human efforts, however sincere.
• Anticipation of Righteous Leadership: The imagery of the robe and turban also evokes a sense of priestly or kingly authority. While not literally a king or priest, Job functioned as a leader, judge, and intercessor within his community. His description of his justice as clothing thus resonates with the prophetic visions of a coming Messiah who would rule with perfect righteousness and justice, fulfilling the ideal that Job, in his best efforts, sought to embody.

Job 29 14 Commentary

Job 29:14 offers a profound self-assessment of Job's life prior to his trials, depicting a man whose righteousness was not merely external compliance but an intrinsic aspect of his very being. His declaration, "I put on righteousness, and it clothed me," uses vivid imagery to convey how his deliberate choice to live rightly resulted in righteousness becoming his inherent identity, enveloping him completely. Furthermore, his "justice," which denotes his practical, fair, and judicious conduct, was to him like the distinguished garb of a robe and a turban. These garments symbolize dignity, authority, and consecration. This powerful statement illustrates Job’s unblemished character and consistent ethical living, serving as a powerful counter-argument against the accusations of his friends who maintained that suffering inevitably implied hidden sin. It speaks to a life lived with deep integrity, where internal virtue translated into outward actions that garnered respect and confirmed his moral authority.