Job 29:3

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

When his candle shined upon my head, [and when] by his light I walked [through] darkness;

Complete Jewish Bible:

when his lamp shone over my head, and I walked through the dark by its light;

Berean Standard Bible:

when His lamp shone above my head, and by His light I walked through the darkness,

American Standard Version:

When his lamp shined upon my head, And by his light I walked through darkness;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

When his candle^{H5216} shined^{H1984} upon my head^{H7218}, and when by his light^{H216} I walked^{H3212} through darkness^{H2822};

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Job 29:3

Job 29:3 is part of the Book of Job, which is one of the Wisdom Books in the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Old Testament. The book is named after its central character, Job, a man known for his righteousness and piety. The historical context of the Book of Job is somewhat uncertain, with scholars suggesting it may have been written anywhere from the 7th to the 4th century BCE. Its themes are universal and timeless, dealing with the problems of human suffering and divine justice.

In Job 29, Job reflects on his past life, reminiscing about the days when he enjoyed prosperity, respect, and God's favor. The verse "When his candle shined upon my head, [and when] by his light I walked [through] darkness;" speaks to a time when Job felt directly blessed by God, whose light is metaphorically described as a candle illuminating his path. This light symbolizes divine guidance, protection, and favor, which allowed Job to navigate through the metaphorical darkness of life's challenges and uncertainties.

The themes of this verse include the remembrance of better times, the importance of divine guidance, and the sense of security that comes from feeling God's presence. It also touches on the contrast between light and darkness, which is a common biblical motif representing good versus evil or knowledge versus ignorance. In the broader context of the Book of Job, this verse stands out against the backdrop of Job's later sufferings, highlighting the stark contrast between his past blessings and his current state of affliction, which he endures without understanding why. This tension between past and present, between blessing and suffering, is central to the book's exploration of theodicy—the vindication of divine goodness and providence in the face of evil and suffering.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H5216
   There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נִיר
   Transliteration: nîyr
   Pronunciation: neer
   Description: or נִר; also נֵיר; or נֵר; or (feminine) נֵרָה; from a primitive root (see נִיר; נוּר) properly, meaning to glisten; a lamp (i.e. the burner) or light (literally or figuratively); candle, lamp, light.
   
2. Strong's Number: H1984
   There are 140 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: הָלַל
   Transliteration: hâlal
   Pronunciation: haw-lal'
   Description: a primitive root; to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make ashow, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively, to celebrate; also to stultify; (make) boast (self), celebrate, commend, (deal, make), fool(-ish, -ly), glory, give (light), be (make, feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, (sing, be worthy of) praise, rage, renowned, shine.
   
3. Strong's Number: H7218
   There are 548 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רֹאשׁ
   Transliteration: rôʼsh
   Pronunciation: roshe
   Description: from an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.); band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top.
   
4. Strong's Number: H216
   There are 191 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אוֹר
   Transliteration: ʼôwr
   Pronunciation: ore
   Description: from אוֹר; illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.); bright, clear, [phrase] day, light (-ning), morning, sun.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3212
   There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָלַךְ
   Transliteration: yâlak
   Pronunciation: yaw-lak'
   Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak.
   
6. Strong's Number: H2822
   There are 77 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חֹשֶׁךְ
   Transliteration: chôshek
   Pronunciation: kho-shek'
   Description: from חָשַׁךְ; the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness; dark(-ness), night, obscurity.