Job 29:7

¶ When I went out to the gate through the city, [when] I prepared my seat in the street!

When I went out {H3318} to the gate {H8179} through the city {H7176}, when I prepared {H3559} my seat {H4186} in the street {H7339}!

I would go out to the city gate and set up my seat in the open space;

When I went out to the city gate and took my seat in the public square,

When I went forth to the gate unto the city, When I prepared my seat in the street,

Commentary

Job 29:7 is part of Job's poignant lament, where he recalls the days of his former prosperity and profound public respect before his immense suffering. In this verse, Job describes the scene of his public life, emphasizing the honor and authority he once commanded within his community.

Context

In Job chapter 29, Job is contrasting his past glory with his present humiliation and affliction. He recounts a time when he was a revered figure, sought after for his wisdom and judgment. This particular verse paints a vivid picture of his high social standing and the deference shown to him by all segments of society. The imagery of going "out to the gate through the city" and preparing his "seat in the street" speaks volumes about his public role and the respect he commanded.

Key Themes

  • Public Honor and Esteem: The verse vividly portrays Job's esteemed position. His presence in public spaces, particularly at the city gate, was a mark of his importance and influence.
  • Authority and Justice: Sitting at the city gate was characteristic of elders, judges, and leaders in ancient Near Eastern societies. It was the place where legal disputes were settled, business was conducted, and public announcements were made. Job's "seat" signifies his role in administering justice and providing counsel, indicating he was a pillar of the community. This aligns with his description in Job 29:16, where he states, "I was a father to the poor."
  • Nostalgia and Loss: The recollection of such profound respect serves to heighten the tragedy of Job's current circumstances. It underscores the depth of his fall from grace and the painful contrast between his past public adoration and his present isolation and scorn.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "went out to the gate through the city" is highly significant. In ancient Israel and the broader Near East, the city gate (Hebrew: שַׁעַר, sha'ar) was not merely an entrance but the central hub of civic life. It was the marketplace, the court, and the place where elders and respected citizens would gather to discuss affairs and dispense justice. For Job to "prepare my seat in the street" (referring to the open area inside or just outside the gate) indicates a formal, recognized, and prominent position among the city's leaders. This was not a casual stroll but an act of taking his rightful place among the decision-makers.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us of the transient nature of worldly honor and position. Job's experience highlights that even the most respected and influential individuals can face sudden and profound reversals. It also offers a glimpse into the ideal of righteous leadership—one who is present among the people, accessible, and dedicated to justice. While we may not sit at city gates today, the principle of using one's influence for good, for the benefit of the community and the vulnerable, remains a timeless aspiration. It challenges us to consider where we place our identity and value, whether in fleeting human recognition or in enduring integrity and faithfulness, as described in Proverbs 3:3.

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Cross-References

  • Ruth 4:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.

  • Ruth 4:2 (4 votes)

    And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.

  • Zechariah 8:16 (4 votes)

    These [are] the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:

  • Ruth 4:11 (3 votes)

    And all the people that [were] in the gate, and the elders, said, [We are] witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:

  • Deuteronomy 16:18 (3 votes)

    ¶ Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.

  • Job 31:21 (2 votes)

    If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate:

  • Deuteronomy 21:19 (2 votes)

    Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place;