Job 21:29
Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens,
Original Language Analysis
הֲלֹ֣א
H3808
הֲלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 7
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שְׁ֭אֶלְתֶּם
Have ye not asked
H7592
שְׁ֭אֶלְתֶּם
Have ye not asked
Strong's:
H7592
Word #:
2 of 7
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
ע֣וֹבְרֵי
them that go
H5674
ע֣וֹבְרֵי
them that go
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
3 of 7
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
דָ֑רֶךְ
by the way
H1870
דָ֑רֶךְ
by the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
4 of 7
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
וְ֝אֹתֹתָ֗ם
their tokens
H226
וְ֝אֹתֹתָ֗ם
their tokens
Strong's:
H226
Word #:
5 of 7
a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern cultures valued travelers' testimony—those who'd seen different lands and peoples brought valuable perspective. Job appeals to this—don't trust only your limited local observation, ask those who've seen more widely.
Questions for Reflection
- How does broad experience and observation refine theological understanding?
- What dangers arise from basing theology only on limited personal experience?
- How do we balance revealed truth with observational wisdom?
Analysis & Commentary
Job appeals to experience: 'Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens?' Job challenges his friends to ask travelers who've observed widely. Don't rely only on local, limited observation—ask those who've traveled and seen more. Their 'tokens' (evidence/testimony) would confirm Job's observations about wicked prosperity and righteous suffering. Broader experience challenges narrow theology.