Job 29:3 kjv
When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness;
Job 29:3 nkjv
When His lamp shone upon my head, And when by His light I walked through darkness;
Job 29:3 niv
when his lamp shone on my head and by his light I walked through darkness!
Job 29:3 esv
when his lamp shone upon my head, and by his light I walked through darkness,
Job 29:3 nlt
when he lit up the way before me
and I walked safely through the darkness.
Job 29 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 27:1 | The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? | God is the source of light and deliverance. |
| Ps 36:9 | For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. | God as the ultimate source of light and understanding. |
| Ps 119:105 | Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. | God's Word as divine guidance, like a lamp. |
| Prov 6:23 | For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; | God's commands and law illuminate the path. |
| Ps 4:6 | LORD, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. | A prayer for God's favorable presence and blessing. |
| Num 6:25 | The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; | Priestly blessing desiring God's favor and illumination. |
| Isa 60:19 | The sun shall no longer be your light by day...the LORD will be your everlasting light. | God replacing physical light as ultimate source of illumination. |
| John 1:4 | In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. | Jesus (the Word) as the source of light for humanity. |
| John 8:12 | I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness. | Jesus' promise of guiding out of spiritual darkness. |
| John 12:35 | Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; | Exhortation to live according to Christ's light before it's gone. |
| Eph 5:8 | For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. | Believers' transformation from darkness to light in Christ. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | That you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; | Calling into God's light as a purpose for believers. |
| Ps 23:4 | Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; | Navigating difficult times with God's comforting presence. |
| Isa 42:16 | I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. | God's promise to guide the lost and illuminate unknown paths. |
| Prov 4:18 | The path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. | Righteousness progressing in clarity and light. |
| Job 22:28 | You will also declare a thing, And it will be established for you; So light will shine on your ways. | Promise of prosperity and clear guidance for the upright. |
| Ps 97:11 | Light is sown for the righteous, And gladness for the upright in heart. | Light (blessing, understanding) provided for the righteous. |
| Ps 18:28 | For You will light my lamp; The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. | God personally providing light and dispelling individual darkness. |
| Rev 21:23 | The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it, and the Lamb is its lamp. | Ultimate fulfillment of God's light as the sole illumination. |
| 1 John 1:5 | God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. | Definition of God's absolute purity and nature as light. |
| Matt 5:14 | You are the light of the world. | Believers called to reflect God's light in the world. |
| Eccl 2:14 | The wise man's eyes are in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. | Contrast of wisdom (light) versus folly (darkness) in life. |
Job 29 verses
Job 29 3 Meaning
Job 29:3 portrays Job reflecting on a past era when God's favor was palpably evident in his life. The "lamp" symbolizes divine guidance, wisdom, and the direct illuminating presence of God, personally directing Job's path and providing clarity for his decisions. "Shone upon my head" signifies an intimate, direct, and authoritative divine leading. Through this continuous divine illumination, Job was able to successfully navigate and endure through challenging and uncertain periods, here metaphorically termed "darkness," without stumbling.
Job 29 3 Context
Job 29 initiates Job's final soliloquy, where he laments his lost past blessed state. He vividly contrasts his former prosperity, honor, and righteous leadership with his present suffering and abandonment. This chapter paints a picture of Job as a respected figure, a pillar of his community, who enjoyed intimate fellowship with God. Verse 3 specifically focuses on the divine presence and guidance that marked his past, emphasizing God's direct hand in illuminating his understanding and enabling him to navigate life's challenges. Historically, this aligns with a patriarchal era where direct divine interaction and guidance were foundational for individuals like Job. Culturally, "light" and "darkness" were common metaphors for prosperity/blessing and affliction/adversity, respectively, especially in ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature. Job's longing underscores his current perception of God's absence.
Job 29 3 Word analysis
- When His lamp: Job's use of "His lamp" (נֵרוֹ - neroh) is deeply personal, indicating God as the direct and sole source. In ancient cultures, a lamp symbolized life, prosperity, safety, and guidance, vital in a world without electric light. Attributing it to God highlights divine provision, not merely material wealth.
- shone: The Hebrew verb here (בְּהִלּוֹ - b'hilloh, a derivative of the root הלל halal, "to shine" or "to praise") emphasizes an active, deliberate act of divine illumination. It's not passive, but God actively making His light visible and impactful. This light signifies spiritual understanding and favor.
- upon my head: (עַל־רֹאשִׁי - al ro'shi) This phrasing suggests direct, intimate, and continuous enlightenment. It speaks of a light placed right where one's thoughts and decisions are made, symbolizing clarity of mind, wisdom in judgment, and even an anointing for leadership. It implies a personal focus of God's blessing on Job's intellect and being.
- And by His light: (בְּאוֹרוֹ - b'oh-roh) Reinforces the singular divine source of Job's ability to navigate life. The repetition emphasizes the exclusive reliance on God's divine revelation and presence. This isn't just about general well-being but about guided conduct.
- I walked: (אֵלֵךְ - ei-lekh) Denotes purposeful action and progression. Job's journey, even through difficulties, was active and enabled. It implies confidence and secure movement.
- through darkness: (חֹשֶׁךְ - choshekh) This metaphor universally represents adversity, trouble, ignorance, confusion, danger, or affliction. Job does not claim his life was without trials, but rather that God's presence enabled him to successfully traverse such periods, avoiding stumbling or getting lost within them.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- When His lamp shone upon my head: This phrase illustrates a period of divine favor where God's illuminating presence was a direct, intimate, and continuous reality for Job. It speaks of divine wisdom imparted directly, influencing his decisions and leadership, signifying prosperity and a clear spiritual understanding. It contrasts sharply with his current state of feeling God-forsaken.
- And by His light I walked through darkness: This second part complements the first by showing the effect of God's lamp. It signifies that Job, guided solely by divine illumination, was able to successfully navigate and overcome the adversities and perplexities of life. It implies protection and discernment even in challenging circumstances, ensuring safe passage rather than being consumed or lost within the "darkness" of his trials. This showcases not an absence of trouble, but triumphant passage through it by divine aid.
Job 29 3 Bonus section
- Ancient Near East Resonance: The imagery of "lamp" and "light" aligns with ancient Near Eastern iconography where deities often radiated light or were associated with it, symbolizing power, life, and presence. Job’s portrayal roots this universal concept firmly in Yahweh, affirming Him as the true source of all spiritual and life-giving illumination, possibly countering pagan polytheism where guidance came from various, often capricious, sources.
- Foreshadowing New Testament Truths: This verse prefigures New Testament revelations where Christ is presented as the Light of the World (John 8:12) who enables His followers to walk not in spiritual darkness, but in His truth. Job’s ancient experience resonates with the believer’s journey, guided by the Holy Spirit and the Word, through a world steeped in various forms of 'darkness'.
- Wisdom Literature Emphasis: As a core part of Wisdom literature, Job 29:3 highlights that true wisdom (being able to walk successfully "through darkness") is not human intellectual capacity alone but directly sourced from God's own illuminating presence and active guidance. This theme is consistent with Proverbs, which repeatedly states that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.
Job 29 3 Commentary
Job 29:3 stands as a poignant remembrance by Job of his profound past relationship with God. He recounts a time when God's favor was not just an occasional blessing but an enveloping presence, guiding his every step. The "lamp upon his head" signifies more than mere material prosperity; it speaks to divine wisdom, insight, and direct communication that illuminated his mind and choices. This personal, continuous guidance allowed Job to confront and traverse life's inevitable "darkness"—be it challenges, confusion, or suffering—without faltering. He reflects on a period where discernment, security, and success were direct results of God's active presence and illuminating grace, empowering him to be a light to his community as he walked securely under God's superintendence. It emphasizes God's personal, consistent engagement in the lives of the righteous, even amidst difficulties.