Job 29 22

Job 29:22 kjv

After my words they spake not again; and my speech dropped upon them.

Job 29:22 nkjv

After my words they did not speak again, And my speech settled on them as dew.

Job 29:22 niv

After I had spoken, they spoke no more; my words fell gently on their ears.

Job 29:22 esv

After I spoke they did not speak again, and my word dropped upon them.

Job 29:22 nlt

And after I spoke, they had nothing to add,
for my counsel satisfied them.

Job 29 verses

Job 29 22 Meaning

Job 29:22 portrays the profound respect and silent attention Job once commanded among the community leaders and people. After he spoke, no one dared to interject or question his wisdom, signifying the finality and authority of his words. His discourse was likened to gentle, life-giving rain or dew, which falls softly but permeates and nourishes the ground, indicating that his counsel was welcomed, beneficial, and deeply absorbed by his listeners, bringing clarity, instruction, and refreshment.

Job 29 22 Context

Job 29 stands as Job's concluding defense and lament before God finally speaks in chapters 38-41. This chapter vividly contrasts Job's former state of prosperity, respect, and influence with his present abject suffering and scorn. Job is reminiscing about the days when he was highly revered in the community, when he sat as a chief among them, and his wisdom was sought after and trusted. He recalls his judicial impartiality, his compassion for the needy, and his moral rectitude. Verse 22 specifically highlights the authoritative and comforting nature of his words, demonstrating the unparalleled respect and admiration he once commanded. This deeply painful contrast underscores the gravity of his suffering and his profound sense of injustice, as his present humiliation is the inverse of his past glory, challenging the prevailing belief that such suffering must be due to grave sin.

Job 29 22 Word analysis

• After: Implies succession, consequence, or finality. There was a before (his speech) and an after (silence and absorption). my words: Hebrew: מִלִּי (millī) - refers to his utterances, spoken discourses, or authoritative pronouncements. These were not mere casual remarks but deeply considered and weighty expressions of wisdom or judgment. they spoke no more: Hebrew: לֹא יַחֲלוּן (lo yakhalun) - "they would not begin to speak" or "they would not resume." This indicates not merely that they fell silent, but that they would not presume to open their mouths again once Job had spoken. It signifies absolute cessation, respect, and a deferral to Job's superior judgment and wisdom. It conveys a deep silence of reverence, assent, and finality to his pronouncements. and my speech: Hebrew: דִבָּתִי (dibbāti) - derived from dabar (to speak, word). It refers to his discourse, utterance, or what he expressed. The repetition reinforces the emphasis on Job's verbal impact. dropped on them: Hebrew: תִטֹּף (tiṭōp̄) - from the root נָטַף (nāṭap), meaning "to drop," "to trickle," "to drip," or even "to prophesy." This is a crucial metaphor. It often signifies gentle, natural effusion, like dew or rain. Significance: Gentle Authority: Unlike a harsh command, his words "dropped" like refreshing moisture, not falling heavily to crush, but lightly to bless and permeate. Life-giving & Nourishing: Like dew or rain sustains life, Job's words brought wisdom, justice, and instruction that nourished the minds and spirits of his listeners. They absorbed it deeply, leading to growth or refreshment. Pervasive Influence: Just as dew settles over everything, his counsel covered and influenced all who heard it. Prophetic/Wise Utterance: The verb nāṭap can also refer to speaking forth wisdom or prophecy (e.g., Amos 7:16, Micah 2:6,7). This reinforces the idea that Job’s words were insightful and deeply discerning. * Welcome and Desired: The people eagerly awaited his words, much like parched land longs for rain.

• Words-group analysis:
• "After my words they spoke no more": This phrase captures the absolute authority and commanding presence Job once possessed. His discourse was conclusive; no further arguments or opinions were entertained or deemed necessary, indicating widespread agreement and a cessation of debate. This contrasts sharply with his current state where his words are ignored or reviled.
• "and my speech dropped on them": This metaphor elevates Job’s communication from mere pronouncements to something profound and beneficial. It likens his words to a life-giving natural phenomenon. The imagery is not one of a tyrannical force but of a gentle, nourishing, and refreshing influence. His wisdom settled upon them, permeating and vitalizing their understanding and decisions, implying that his words were deeply desired and absorbed.

Job 29 22 Bonus section

The concept of words "dropping" (natap) in the Bible often carries the connotation of an utterance from God, or an oracle, or wisdom directly given from a divine source (e.g., Micah 2:6-7, Amos 7:16). While Job is certainly not equating himself with God, the use of this term hints at the quality and profound impact of his wisdom, suggesting it was perceived as being truly insightful and righteous, perhaps reflecting divine truth. This underscores the moral weight and perceived truthfulness of his speech, further intensifying the tragedy of his current position, where such words are met with derision. The parallel to God's word like rain (Isa 55:10-11) highlights that Job's wisdom brought life and growth in his sphere, much like God's word does universally.

Job 29 22 Commentary

Job 29:22 powerfully encapsulates the profound esteem and authority Job once held within his community. His words were the final word, listened to with a reverent silence that signaled both deep respect and full assent to his wisdom and judgment. The vivid metaphor of his speech "dropping" like rain or dew conveys that his counsel was not delivered harshly, but rather flowed gently, yet effectively. Like nourishing moisture that sustains life, his wisdom seeped into the minds and hearts of his listeners, providing refreshment, clarity, and vital guidance. This image portrays him as a benevolent source of insight, eagerly anticipated and fully embraced by those he addressed. The verse accentuates the stark and painful contrast with his present, where he is utterly devoid of such respect and is instead subjected to scorn and derision. It emphasizes his personal anguish, not just physical suffering, but the loss of his esteemed role as a fountain of wisdom and justice.