Job 29 21

Job 29:21 kjv

Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel.

Job 29:21 nkjv

"Men listened to me and waited, And kept silence for my counsel.

Job 29:21 niv

"People listened to me expectantly, waiting in silence for my counsel.

Job 29:21 esv

"Men listened to me and waited and kept silence for my counsel.

Job 29:21 nlt

"Everyone listened to my advice.
They were silent as they waited for me to speak.

Job 29 verses

Job 29 21 Meaning

Job 29:21 portrays Job's former state of high respect and influence, where people intently listened to his wisdom and waited eagerly for his pronouncements. They observed profound silence in his presence, indicating deep reverence and trust in his counsel. This verse vividly illustrates Job's respected position as a community leader and wise judge before his afflictions began.

Job 29 21 Context

Job 29 opens the final part of Job’s great soliloquy (Job 29-31), where he contrasts his former honorable state with his present suffering and humiliation. Chapter 29 vividly details his past prosperity, respected social standing, and active role as a righteous and benevolent leader. He describes how he was honored by all segments of society – the young, the old, princes, and nobles. Verse 21, specifically, encapsulates the high esteem and influence Job once commanded. This elaborate portrayal serves to underscore the profound shift in his circumstances and to argue implicitly against his friends' notion that his suffering is due to hidden sin, as a righteous man would not have received such blessings. Historically, in ancient Near Eastern societies, respected elders and tribal leaders like Job, who displayed wisdom, integrity, and piety, held significant social authority and their counsel was eagerly sought at community gates.

Job 29 21 Word analysis

• Unto me (אֵלַי - 'elay):
  • Word Level: The prepositional phrase emphasizes the personal direction and focus of the action. It's not just that people listened, but to Job they listened. It highlights Job as the recipient of the attention, underscoring his personal authority and not merely a general respect for wisdom.
  • Significance: Centers Job as the axis of wisdom and influence in his community. It points to a deep, personal trust in him.
• men (אֲנָשִׁים - 'anashim):
  • Word Level: Refers generally to people, individuals, or humanity. In this context, it implies the general populace, not just specific officials, suggesting a broad base of respect from all walks of life.
  • Significance: Shows the universal nature of the reverence Job received. It wasn't limited to a select group but extended to the "men" or people of his society, including both young and old (as mentioned in earlier verses of Job 29).
• gave ear (הֶאֱזִינוּ - he'ezinu):
  • Word Level: Derived from a root meaning "to put the ear to," implying active and attentive listening. It’s stronger than merely "heard," suggesting a deliberate act of tuning in and paying close attention, akin to inclining one's ear to catch every word.
  • Significance: Denotes serious reception of his words. It indicates that Job's speech was perceived as weighty, valuable, and worthy of full attention. This wasn't passive hearing, but active mental engagement.
• and waited (יִחֲלוּ - yichalu):
  • Word Level: From a root often translated as "to wait," "to hope," or "to long for." Here, it signifies patient and eager expectation, not a casual or forced waiting. It suggests people were lingering, anticipating his words, and were prepared to take their time to hear what he had to say.
  • Significance: Reveals the eagerness and value placed on Job's counsel. People actively desired to hear from him and demonstrated patience, indicating profound respect for his forthcoming advice.
• and kept silence (חָשׁוּ - ḥashu):
  • Word Level: Means "to be silent," "to be quiet," "to hold one's peace." It indicates the absence of interruption or chatter, a profound stillness. This silence signifies deference, awe, and an unwillingness to disturb the solemnity of Job’s pronouncements.
  • Significance: Represents the highest form of respect and reverence. It means people were captivated, giving him an undisturbed platform, signaling absolute attention and deep regard for his wisdom, rather than disputing or interrupting him. This contrasts sharply with the interruptions and challenges Job faces from his friends later.
• at my counsel (לַעֲצָתִי - la'atzati):
  • Word Level: "Counsel" ('etzah) refers to advice, guidance, or wisdom given through deliberation. The suffix –ti ("my") signifies that this wisdom was distinctly Job's. The preposition la- ("at," "for," "with reference to") connects their actions (listening, waiting, silence) directly to the substance of his advice.
  • Significance: Identifies the direct object and purpose of their attentive behavior – Job's wise counsel. It emphasizes that Job's words were considered authoritative, discerning, and beneficial, providing solutions or insights for various situations. This was practical, life-guiding wisdom.

• Words-Group Analysis:
• "gave ear, and waited, and kept silence": This triad describes a progression of intense reverence and reception. It moves from active listening ("gave ear") to patient anticipation ("waited") and finally to profound deference and absorption ("kept silence"). This escalation highlights the extraordinary honor bestowed upon Job's words. It is the epitome of respectful attention given to one whose words carry immense weight and wisdom. This is in stark contrast to his current suffering where he is met with disdain and mockery (Job 30).
• "Unto me... at my counsel": These bookending phrases powerfully frame the verse, emphasizing that Job himself was the source and focus of the profound respect. The actions described are not merely about any wise counsel but specifically Job's counsel, reflecting his personal reputation for wisdom and integrity. This structure reinforces the personal dignity Job once held.

Job 29 21 Bonus section

This verse portrays a leader whose wisdom was truly effective and transformative, not merely decorative. The "counsel" (Hebrew: 'etzah) he offered was practical wisdom for life, judgment, and discernment, impacting the decisions and direction of his community. Such counsel is implicitly tied to righteous living and understanding of divine principles, which Job demonstrates through his conduct. In a spiritual sense, this also points to the ultimate Counsellor, Christ, whose words (His counsel) evoke the same, but infinitely greater, response: people giving ear, waiting, and keeping silence in reverent awe of His perfect wisdom and truth. His words are not just advice, but life.

Job 29 21 Commentary

Job 29:21 encapsulates the zenith of Job’s former glory and influence. He recounts how his community revered his wisdom, approaching him with a deep desire to hear his advice. The phrase "gave ear" signifies more than casual listening; it denotes attentive and deliberate reception, indicating the weighty nature of his words. Their "waiting" suggests not merely patience, but an eager anticipation and valuing of his insights, knowing his counsel was worth the time. The profound "silence" that enveloped his speaking moments speaks volumes about the awe and respect he commanded. It underscores a community completely engrossed and deferential to his judgment, free from interruption or dissent. This level of veneration highlights Job's pre-eminent role as a trusted advisor and sagacious leader. This verse functions as a critical part of Job’s argument against his friends, illustrating a past life demonstrably filled with integrity, piety, and divine favor, thereby challenging their simplistic theology that suffering always stems from sin. It presents a stark contrast to his present state, where he is despised and mocked, deepening the enigma of his unmerited suffering.