Job 29 20

Job 29:20 kjv

My glory was fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand.

Job 29:20 nkjv

My glory is fresh within me, And my bow is renewed in my hand.'

Job 29:20 niv

My glory will not fade; the bow will be ever new in my hand.'

Job 29:20 esv

my glory fresh with me, and my bow ever new in my hand.'

Job 29:20 nlt

New honors are constantly bestowed on me,
and my strength is continually renewed.'

Job 29 verses

Job 29 20 Meaning

Job 29:20 describes Job's retrospective lament about his former state of honor, vitality, and power. He asserts that his "glory" – his reputation, influence, and material well-being – remained consistently vibrant and new, and his "bow" – symbolizing his strength, effectiveness, and capacity for action or defense – was continually refreshed and potent in his control. This verse captures the essence of Job's peak prosperity and competence, which he keenly contrasts with his current suffering and weakness.

Job 29 20 Context

Job 29:20 is part of Job's final monologue, commencing in Job 29 and extending through Job 31. This section immediately precedes God's direct intervention from the whirlwind. In chapter 29, Job contrasts his glorious past life with his present desolation. He recounts his esteemed social position, his moral uprightness, his acts of justice and compassion for the poor and marginalized, and the widespread respect he commanded from all levels of society—elders, princes, and common folk alike. He reminisces about the time when he enjoyed prosperity, the favor of God, and immense influence, perceiving these as divine blessings. Verse 20 specifically encapsulates his sense of enduring vigor and effectiveness in his prime, a direct antecedent to the sudden, inexplicable loss of all these perceived markers of divine favor in Job 1 and 2. This stark contrast deepens the theological tension of the book: why would a righteous man who perfectly embodied such honor and power suddenly suffer so immensely? The cultural context of ancient Near Eastern society heavily valued reputation, family, and prosperity as indicators of divine blessing, and their loss was seen as a sign of divine displeasure or personal sin, which Job emphatically denies.

Job 29 20 Word analysis

• My glory: The Hebrew word is kavod (כָּבוֹד). This term signifies weight, heaviness, splendor, honor, renown, and reputation. It speaks to Job's high standing in society, his wealth, his influence, and the respect shown to him. It's not just internal feeling but external manifestation of God's blessing and favor on him. It represents his dignity and authority.
• was fresh: The Hebrew word chadash (חָדָשׁ), meaning new, fresh, renovated. In this context, it implies continuous vitality, freshness, and constant replenishment of his honor and well-being. His glory was not fading or old; it was perpetually renewed, indicating ongoing prosperity and influence.
• in me: Implies an internal wellspring or inherent quality of Job's existence. His glory was intrinsic and deeply connected to who he was and how he lived, flowing outwardly.
• and my bow: The Hebrew word is qesheth (קֶשֶׁת), meaning a bow (for arrows), a weapon, an archer's bow. Symbolically, the bow represents strength, power, defense, ability to act, capacity to prevail against adversaries, and provision (through hunting). In a broader sense, it encompasses Job's vigor and effectiveness in all areas of life, including his leadership, judicial rulings, and charitable work.
• was renewed: The Hebrew word khalaf (חָלַף), meaning to pass on, change, come or spring up anew, be renewed, substitute. This term reinforces the idea of continuous invigoration and persistent strength, not a one-time event but an ongoing state of capability. It suggests that even if there was any weakening, it was swiftly replaced with new energy and power.
• in my hand: Signifies active control, capability, and ready deployment. Job's strength and instruments of power were not distant or ineffective but always available for his use, implying readiness, competence, and self-reliance in his actions.

• "My glory was fresh in me": This phrase highlights the vitality and permanence Job experienced in his status and reputation. It wasn't a fleeting glory but one that seemed divinely sustained and continually invigorated from within him, reflecting his unblemished moral standing and the evident favor of God upon his life. This imagery speaks to an era where Job's outward blessings perfectly mirrored his inward righteousness.
• "and my bow was renewed in my hand": This powerfully metaphorical phrase communicates Job's unceasing strength, effectiveness, and capacity to confront challenges and carry out his will. The bow, a key tool for protection, provision, and warfare in the ancient world, here represents his executive power and sustained vigor. Its "renewal" signifies a continuous replenishment of his abilities, suggesting he never felt depleted or unable to meet the demands of his leadership and personal responsibilities. His "hand" signifies active control and immediate readiness, portraying him as a person fully capable and perpetually prepared.

Job 29 20 Bonus section

The juxtaposition of "fresh" (chadash) and "renewed" (khalaf) is significant. Chadash speaks to the intrinsic newness and vitality of his glory, implying it never grew stale or faded. Khalaf speaks to the active process of replacement or springing forth anew, specifically applied to his bow. This nuanced distinction implies that not only was Job's honor constantly vibrant, but his functional strength and ability were also continually revitalized, perhaps even overcoming moments of wear or decline with fresh surges of power. This underscores the comprehensive and unceasing nature of the blessing he once experienced. Scholars note that this intense retrospective is not merely self-pity but a vital step in Job's journey, as he must acknowledge the height from which he fell before he can grapple with the nature of God's wisdom in allowing such suffering. It portrays an almost Edenic past from which he has been dramatically cast out.

Job 29 20 Commentary

Job 29:20 succinctly captures the zenith of Job's previous existence, underscoring the completeness of his prosperity and power. It serves as a stark contrast to his current lamentable state, making his suffering even more inexplicable to him and to his friends. The "glory" (kavod) speaks to Job's honorable standing, wealth, and respected reputation—attributes that in his culture signified divine favor. The term "fresh" (chadash) implies an unending, vital quality to this honor, not something static or diminishing but perpetually vibrant. His "bow," symbolizing strength and executive power in all his undertakings, was "renewed" (khalaf) in his hand, denoting an active, consistent, and re-invigorated capacity for action, decision-making, and self-reliance. This imagery conveys a man fully competent and empowered, whose instruments of influence were always at the ready. The verse sets the stage for the dramatic theological problem: how could such an evidently righteous and empowered man, basking in consistent divine favor, be so abruptly stripped of everything? It highlights the human tendency to link righteousness with immediate earthly blessings, a paradigm that the book of Job will ultimately challenge, pointing towards a deeper understanding of God's ways and His sovereignty. This memory of past strength amplifies Job's present distress, fueling his lament but also underscoring his resilience as he wrestles with divine providence.