Job 29:23

KJV

And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide [as] for the latter rain.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they waited {H3176} for me as for the rain {H4306}; and they opened {H6473} their mouth {H6310} wide as for the latter rain {H4456}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They waited for me as if for rain, as if for spring rain, with their mouths open wide.

Berean Standard Bible

They waited for me as for rain and drank in my words like spring showers.

American Standard Version

And they waited for me as for the rain; And they opened their mouth wideasfor the latter rain.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 29:23 eloquently captures the profound reverence and eager anticipation with which the community once regarded Job, likening their desperate yearning for his presence and counsel to the vital, life-sustaining need for rain in an arid land. This powerful double simile underscores the indispensable nature of Job’s wisdom, just arbitration, and compassionate leadership, which were as essential to the well-being and flourishing of his society as the crucial "latter rain" was for a bountiful harvest.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a poignant and pivotal part of Job’s extended soliloquy in [Job 29](/job/29 "Job 29 - Job's Lament of Past Glory"), where he vividly contrasts his former esteemed status and societal influence with his current state of profound suffering and isolation. Having endured the relentless accusations of his friends and the perplexing silence of God, Job now recounts the golden days when he was universally respected, sought after, and honored by all segments of society, from the young to the aged, from princes to nobles. The preceding verses, specifically [Job 29:1-11](/job/29-1-11 "Job 29:1-11 - Job's Former Blessings and Esteem"), establish the backdrop of his lament, detailing the blessings he enjoyed and the public admiration he commanded. Following this, [Job 29:12-17](/job/29-12-17 "Job 29:12-17 - Job's Righteous Conduct") elaborates on his righteous actions as a just and compassionate leader, highlighting his advocacy for the poor, the fatherless, and the blind. Verse 23 specifically focuses on the profound impact of his words and presence, demonstrating how his wisdom was eagerly awaited and highly valued, setting the stage for his description of how his counsel was received and acted upon in [Job 29:24-25](/job/29-24-25 "Job 29:24-25 - Job's Counsel and Leadership").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, particularly in semi-arid regions like Uz (Job's homeland, traditionally located in Edom or northern Arabia), rain was not merely beneficial but absolutely critical for the sustenance of life. The agricultural cycle was entirely dependent on the seasonal rainfall, with the "former rain" (Hebrew: _yoreh_, typically in autumn, around October-November) preparing the ground for planting, and the "latter rain" (Hebrew: _malqosh_, typically in spring, around March-April) being essential for the final ripening of grain crops before harvest. Without the latter rain, crops would wither, leading to widespread famine, economic devastation, and immense hardship. This profound cultural and existential reliance on rain imbues Job's simile with immense weight: the people's anticipation for Job was not merely polite interest or casual curiosity, but a desperate, life-sustaining need. In this societal structure, wise and just leaders like Job often served as judges, arbitrators, and benefactors, and their counsel was sought for resolving complex disputes, guiding community affairs, and ensuring justice, much like the life-giving water that sustained the land and its people.
* **Key Themes:** Job 29:23 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Book of Job, particularly within Job's lament of his past glory. It powerfully underscores the theme of **Profound Esteem and Influence**, showcasing Job's pre-eminence as a wise and just leader whose words carried immense weight and whose presence brought stability and resolution. The comparison to rain highlights the theme of **Vital Anticipation and Indispensability**, emphasizing that Job's presence and counsel were perceived as absolutely essential for the community's flourishing, much like the divine provision of rain was crucial for agricultural success and overall well-being (a concept frequently linked to divine blessing in Scripture, as seen in [Deuteronomy 11:14](/deuteronomy/11-14 "Deuteronomy 11:14 - The Promise of Rain") and [Joel 2:23](/joel/2-23 "Joel 2:23 - The Promise of Former and Latter Rain")). Furthermore, it reinforces the theme of **Benevolent Leadership**, portraying Job not as an authoritarian figure but as a source of refreshment, justice, and solace, reflecting God's own character as the ultimate Provider. Underlying this nostalgic recollection is the pervasive theme of **Nostalgia and Loss**, as Job contrasts this past honor and vital role with his current state of utter degradation, isolation, and perceived abandonment, a stark reminder of the capriciousness of human fortune and the transient nature of earthly acclaim.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Waited (Hebrew, _yâchal'_):** This verb (H3176) is a primitive root signifying to wait, often with an implication of patience and hope. It conveys a deep, earnest longing and dependence, suggesting more than mere expectation but a profound reliance on something vital. When applied to waiting for rain, it speaks of a desperate, life-or-death hope for a crucial necessity. Here, it reveals the profound reliance and trust people placed in Job, indicating that his counsel was not just desired but perceived as essential for their well-being and the resolution of their issues.
* **Rain (Hebrew, _mâṭar'_):** This term (H4306) refers to precipitation in general. In the arid climate of the ancient Near East, rain was synonymous with life, blessing, and divine favor. Its absence meant drought, famine, and death. Thus, to be awaited "as for the rain" means to be seen as a source of life, sustenance, and flourishing, reflecting the vital role Job played in his community as a bringer of relief and resolution.
* **Latter Rain (Hebrew, _malqôwsh'_):** This specific term (H4456) refers to the crucial spring rains, which were essential for the final ripening of grain crops before harvest. The word can also figuratively refer to eloquence. The addition of "latter rain" intensifies the simile, emphasizing that Job's counsel was not merely beneficial but critically important for the successful "harvest" or resolution of community matters, signifying its indispensable, culminating impact, much like the final, essential rain ensures a successful yield.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they waited for me as for the rain":** This initial clause establishes a profound simile, comparing the community's eager anticipation of Job's presence and counsel to the desperate longing for life-giving rain in a parched land. It highlights Job's immense influence and the high regard in which he was held, suggesting that his arrival or pronouncements brought refreshment, relief, and the promise of resolution, much like rain brings life to dry ground and ends a period of drought.
* **"and they opened their mouth wide [as] for the latter rain":** This second clause intensifies the simile, employing a vivid and visceral image of open mouths, indicative of extreme thirst, desperate yearning, and eager receptivity. The specific mention of "latter rain" (the crucial spring rains) elevates the comparison from a general need to a critical, culminating necessity. It implies that Job's wisdom was not just generally desired but was seen as the final, indispensable element required for the successful outcome of matters, much like the _malqosh_ was crucial for a successful harvest. The "opening of the mouth" suggests a posture of deep receptivity, urgent need, and readiness to absorb the life-giving words of Job.

#### Literary Devices
Job 29:23 is rich in literary artistry, primarily employing **Simile** to convey its profound message. The central comparison, "they waited for me as for the rain," directly likens the people's eager anticipation of Job to their desperate longing for life-sustaining precipitation. This simile is then intensified and made more specific with the phrase "and they opened their mouth wide [as] for the latter rain." The act of "opening their mouth wide" serves as powerful **Imagery**, evoking a visceral sense of thirst, urgent need, and eager receptivity, further emphasizing the critical importance of Job's wisdom. The specific mention of "latter rain" functions as a form of **Synecdoche**, where a crucial part (the final rain) stands for the entire, indispensable cycle of agricultural prosperity and, by extension, the community's well-being, thereby underscoring the culminating and vital nature of Job's counsel. The entire verse also carries an element of **Hyperbole**, as Job describes the almost divine reverence he received, though it serves to underscore the dramatic contrast with his current, abject state of degradation and isolation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, while seemingly focused on Job's human excellence and the community's reliance on him, subtly points to a deeper theological truth about the ultimate source of all life, wisdom, and provision. Just as the people eagerly awaited Job's counsel, recognizing its life-giving and problem-solving power, so too should humanity eagerly await and depend upon the wisdom and provision that comes from God alone. The "rain" metaphor, throughout Scripture, is consistently associated with divine blessing, sustenance, and the outpouring of God's Spirit and word. Job's former role as a source of refreshment and justice mirrors God's own character as the ultimate Provider who sustains creation and offers true wisdom to those who seek Him. The longing for Job's words, therefore, ultimately reflects a deeper human longing for divine order, justice, and truth—a longing that only God can perfectly fulfill.

* [Deuteronomy 11:14](/deuteronomy/11-14 "Deuteronomy 11:14 - God's Promise of Rain")
* [Psalm 72:6](/psalms/72-6 "Psalm 72:6 - The King as Refreshing Rain")
* [Hosea 6:3](/hosea/6-3 "Hosea 6:3 - Knowing God as the Coming Rain")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 29:23 invites us to consider the profound impact of a life lived righteously and wisely, and the significant responsibility that accompanies such influence. Job's past serves as a powerful reminder that when individuals embody justice, compassion, and wisdom, they can become indispensable sources of blessing and guidance in their communities, much like a life-giving rain. We are challenged to cultivate lives of integrity and wisdom, seeking to be "rain-bringers" in our own spheres—people who bring refreshment, hope, and resolution to those around us, reflecting God's own character as the ultimate Provider of life-giving sustenance. This involves actively listening, offering wise counsel rooted in biblical truth, and working for justice and peace in our relationships and broader society. Furthermore, the verse highlights the importance of valuing and seeking out sound counsel, recognizing that true wisdom, whether from Scripture, trusted mentors, or spiritual leaders, is a vital resource for navigating life's complexities, fostering flourishing, and bringing about positive change.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways can your life be a source of "rain" or spiritual refreshment for others in your community, family, or workplace?**
* **How eagerly do you "wait" for and seek out wise counsel, whether from Scripture, trusted mentors, or spiritual leaders, for your own life's challenges?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate wisdom and integrity in your own life, so that you might be a more effective channel of God's blessing to those around you?**
* **How does Job's past influence contrast with his present suffering, and what does this teach us about the transient nature of human honor versus enduring divine truth and character?**

### FAQ
**Why is the "latter rain" specifically mentioned, and what is its significance?**

Answer: The "latter rain" (Hebrew: _malqosh_) refers to the crucial spring rains that typically fall in March or April in the ancient Near East. Its significance is immense because these rains were absolutely essential for the final ripening of grain crops before harvest. Without the _malqosh_, the harvest would fail, leading to famine and economic disaster. By specifying "latter rain," Job intensifies the simile, indicating that people's need for his counsel was not just general but critical and culminating, much like the final, indispensable rain needed for a successful harvest. It underscores the vital, life-sustaining importance of his wisdom and judgment, suggesting that his words brought matters to a successful and prosperous conclusion. This emphasis highlights the depth of the community's dependence on him for their well-being, as seen in [Deuteronomy 11:14](/deuteronomy/11-14 "Deuteronomy 11:14 - God's Promise of Rain") which links both former and latter rains to divine blessing and agricultural success.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 29:23, with its vivid depiction of a community eagerly awaiting Job's life-giving words and presence, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Job was a finite, imperfect man whose wisdom and influence, however profound, were ultimately temporary and subject to the vicissitudes of life, Christ is the eternal Word of God, the ultimate and inexhaustible source of all wisdom, life, and spiritual refreshment. Just as the people "opened their mouth wide" for Job's counsel, humanity, parched by sin and longing for truth and meaning, finds its deepest thirst quenched in the living water that Jesus alone offers (as promised in [John 4:13-14](/john/4-13-14 "John 4:13-14 - Jesus the Living Water")). He is the true "latter rain," bringing not just physical sustenance but spiritual life, eternal salvation, and the final, decisive harvest of God's kingdom (compare [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life") and [John 7:37-38](/john/7-37-38 "John 7:37-38 - Rivers of Living Water")). The longing for Job's justice and wisdom, and the eager reception of his words, foreshadows the world's desperate need for the perfect righteousness, divine counsel, and redemptive work found only in the Son of God, who truly brings abundant life and eternal flourishing to all who come to Him in faith (as declared in [John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hosea 6:3

Then shall we know, [if] we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter [and] former rain unto the earth.

Zechariah 10:1

¶ Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; [so] the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.

Psalms 72:6

He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers [that] water the earth.