Job 29 2

Job 29:2 kjv

Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me;

Job 29:2 nkjv

"Oh, that I were as in months past, As in the days when God watched over me;

Job 29:2 niv

"How I long for the months gone by, for the days when God watched over me,

Job 29:2 esv

"Oh, that I were as in the months of old, as in the days when God watched over me,

Job 29:2 nlt

"I long for the years gone by
when God took care of me,

Job 29 verses

Job 29 2 Meaning

Job 29:2 expresses Job's profound yearning for his past life, specifically for a time when he experienced God's manifest favor, protective oversight, and tangible blessings. He longs for the "days of old," not just for the material prosperity, but primarily for the intimate sense of God's watchful and guarding presence that defined that era of his life, a stark contrast to his present suffering and perceived abandonment.

Job 29 2 Context

Job chapter 29 forms the beginning of Job's final monologue, his last comprehensive statement before God intervenes in chapter 38. This chapter serves as a poignant lament where Job contrasts his glorious past life with his current state of immense suffering and despair. In Job 29, Job recalls the respect he commanded, the justice he administered, the care he showed for the needy, and, crucially, the visible hand of God's favor upon him. Verse 2 specifically sets the tone for this reflective lament, expressing a deep wish to return to a time when God's protection and guidance were undeniable and palpably present in his life. Historically and culturally, divine blessing in ancient Near Eastern societies was often visibly demonstrated through prosperity, health, and social standing, making Job's former state a clear indication of God's favor.

Job 29 2 Word analysis

• Oh that I were as (Hebrew: Min yitten - מִי יִתֵּן): This is an intense idiomatic expression in Hebrew, literally "Who will give?" It functions as a strong lament or earnest wish, signifying deep longing and regret for something lost, and a desire for its restoration. It's not a mere nostalgic wish but an outcry born from present distress, highlighting Job's desperate longing for what seems unattainable.
• in months of old, (Hebrew: khodesh - חֹדֶשׁ, "new moon, month"; qedem - קֶדֶם, "front, east, ancient time"): "Months of old" refers to a significant, prolonged period in the past. It conveys a sense of duration and established blessing, implying that the favor he experienced was not fleeting but characterized a considerable span of his life, stretching back to its very beginning.
• as in the days when God (Hebrew: Eloah - אֱלֹהַּ): This specific form of God's name, Eloah, is often used in poetic and wisdom literature, especially prominent in Job. While synonymous with Elohim (God), its singular nature often emphasizes the uniqueness and absolute power of the God with whom Job had a personal relationship. It highlights that the direct interaction was with the Almighty God Himself, not a lesser deity.
• watched over me; (Hebrew: shamarti - שָׁמְרִי from root shamar - שָׁמַר, "to guard, keep, watch, preserve"): This is a crucial verb. It implies more than mere observation. It denotes active, vigilant, and protective oversight, similar to a shepherd guarding his flock, a sentry guarding a city, or a parent protecting a child. It suggests that God Himself was actively preserving Job from harm, guiding him, and ensuring his welfare, making His presence palpable and effective in Job's daily existence.

• Oh that I were as in months of old, as in the days when God watched over me;: This combined phrase succinctly expresses Job's deep nostalgia for a lost epoch characterized by direct, personal, and active divine guardianship. It is a powerful lament contrasting his glorious, divinely-blessed past with his miserable, seemingly God-forsaken present. This highlights his yearning not just for material comforts but for the manifest presence and protection of God Himself, which he viewed as the source of all his former prosperity and peace. It's a statement about his relationship with God being at the core of his lost blessedness.

Job 29 2 Bonus section

The strong imagery of "watching over" connects Job's former experience to a covenantal relationship, implying divine faithfulness and active provision, which now appears to Job to be suspended or broken. This lament establishes the foundation for Job's ongoing insistence on his innocence, as he feels a benevolent God would not allow such suffering to befall a righteous servant He once so actively guarded. The specific phrasing reflects not only a past condition of blessing but also Job's past understanding of God's disposition towards him.

Job 29 2 Commentary

Job 29:2 distills Job's central complaint: the apparent withdrawal of God's watchful care. This verse opens Job's final discourse, painting a vivid picture of his previous life where divine favor was tangible, manifest in his prosperity, health, and high social standing. The longing expressed through "Oh that" underscores the depth of his despair, wishing to revert to a time when God's presence felt like a protective embrace rather than a distant, punitive gaze. It reveals that for Job, true well-being was inextricably linked to the direct and active oversight of the Almighty, indicating his profound spiritual suffering beyond physical pain and loss. He misses the intimacy and security of a relationship where God evidently "guarded" him, implying both preservation from evil and a sense of divine purpose in his life. This yearning sets the stage for God's ultimate intervention, where He reveals a broader understanding of His presence and plans.