King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Unto me [men] gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"People would listen to me; they waited and were silent when I gave advice.
Berean Standard Bible:
Men listened to me with expectation, waiting silently for my counsel.
American Standard Version:
Unto me men gave ear, and waited, And kept silence for my counsel.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Unto me men gave ear{H8085}, and waited{H3176}, and kept silence{H1826} at{H3926} my counsel{H6098}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Job 32:11
- Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.
Job 32:12
- Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, [there was] none of you that convinced Job, [or] that answered his words:
Job 29:9
- The princes refrained talking, and laid [their] hand on their mouth.
Job 29:10
- The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Job 29:21
Job 29:21 is a verse from the Book of Job, which is one of the Wisdom Books in the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. The Book of Job deals with the themes of human suffering and the nature of faith in the face of undeserved calamity. It is set in a narrative framework in which the character of Job is a righteous man who is tested by the loss of his wealth, his children, and his health.
In Job 29, Job is reflecting on his past life, before his suffering began. He recalls a time when he was held in high esteem by others, and his counsel was sought after and respected. The verse "Unto me [men] gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel" speaks to the respect and authority Job once held in his community. Men listened attentively to him, showing deference by waiting for him to speak and maintaining silence so as not to interrupt or dishonor his wisdom. This indicates that Job was not only respected for his wealth and status but also for his wisdom and the value of his advice.
The historical context of the Book of Job is somewhat uncertain, with scholars suggesting various time periods ranging from the patriarchal age to the post-exilic period. Regardless of the exact historical setting, the book addresses universal questions about God's justice and the problem of evil that have resonated with readers across cultures and eras.
In summary, Job 29:21 reflects on the theme of respect and authority that comes from wisdom and righteousness. It captures a moment in Job's life when his words carried weight, and his counsel was highly valued, providing a stark contrast to his later experiences when he is stripped of his honor and left to suffer without understanding why. This verse underscores the drastic change in Job's circumstances, highlighting the theme of reversal of fortune that is central to the narrative.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H8085
There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁמַע
Transliteration: shâmaʻ
Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. - Strong's Number: H3176
There are 41 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָחַל
Transliteration: yâchal
Pronunciation: yaw-chal'
Description: a primitive root; to wait; by implication, to be patient, hope; (cause to, have, make to) hope, be pained, stay, tarry, trust, wait. - Strong's Number: H1826
There are 29 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָּמַם
Transliteration: dâmam
Pronunciation: daw-man'
Description: a primitive root (compare דָּהַם, דָּמָה); to be dumb; by implication, to be astonished, to stop; also to perish; cease, be cut down (off), forbear, hold peace, quiet self, rest, be silent, keep (put to) silence, be (stand) still, tarry, wait. - Strong's Number: H3926
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לְמוֹ
Transliteration: lᵉmôw
Pronunciation: lem-o'
Description: a prolonged and separable form of the prepositional prefix; to or for; at, for, to, upon. - Strong's Number: H6098
There are 85 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֵצָה
Transliteration: ʻêtsâh
Pronunciation: ay-tsaw'
Description: from יָעַץ; advice; by implication, plan; also prudence; advice, advisement, counsel(l-(or)), purpose.