Job 29:11

Authorized King James Version

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When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me:

Original Language Analysis

כִּ֤י H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 7
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֹ֣זֶן When the ear H241
אֹ֣זֶן When the ear
Strong's: H241
Word #: 2 of 7
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
שָׁ֭מְעָה heard H8085
שָׁ֭מְעָה heard
Strong's: H8085
Word #: 3 of 7
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וַֽתְּאַשְּׁרֵ֑נִי me then it blessed H833
וַֽתְּאַשְּׁרֵ֑נִי me then it blessed
Strong's: H833
Word #: 4 of 7
to be straight (used in the widest sense, especially to be level, right, happy); figuratively, to go forward, be honest, prosper
וְעַ֥יִן me and when the eye H5869
וְעַ֥יִן me and when the eye
Strong's: H5869
Word #: 5 of 7
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
רָ֝אֲתָ֗ה saw H7200
רָ֝אֲתָ֗ה saw
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 6 of 7
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
וַתְּעִידֵֽנִי׃ me it gave witness H5749
וַתְּעִידֵֽנִי׃ me it gave witness
Strong's: H5749
Word #: 7 of 7
to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration); intensively, to encompass, restore (as a sort of reduplication)

Analysis & Commentary

When the ear heard me, then it blessed me (ozen אֹזֶן, ear; shama שָׁמַע, to hear; ashar אָשַׁר, to call blessed/happy)—Job's reputation spread through oral report. Those who merely heard of Job pronounced him blessed without even witnessing his deeds firsthand. And when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me (ayin עַיִן, eye; ra'ah רָאָה, to see; ud עוּד, to bear witness/testify)—eyewitnesses testified to Job's righteousness. This ear/eye parallelism emphasizes both hearsay and firsthand testimony confirmed Job's character.

The verse structure echoes Hebrew legal procedure requiring multiple witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15). Both what people heard about Job and what they personally observed corroborated his integrity—no gap existed between reputation and reality. The language anticipates the Servant Songs in Isaiah, where witnesses testify to the Suffering Servant's character (Isaiah 53:1-3). Job's universal acclaim makes his subsequent rejection more tragic—the same mouths that blessed him will later accuse him. This verse also foreshadows the testimony theme crucial to Job's complaint: he demands that God bear witness to his innocence (Job 16:19), and ultimately God does testify that Job 'spoke of me the thing that is right' (Job 42:7).

Historical Context

Oral culture in the ancient Near East meant reputation spread through storytelling and testimony. A person's name and renown constituted their social capital. Job's fame extended beyond his immediate community—he was 'the greatest of all the men of the east' (Job 1:3). The ear/eye witness formula reflects legal testimony procedures where both hearsay and direct observation carried weight in establishing truth. Job's culture valued honor and shame intensely, making public blessing a treasured possession and public disgrace devastating—precisely what Job will experience.

Questions for Reflection