Job 29:3

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

בְּהִלּ֣וֹ shined H1984
בְּהִלּ֣וֹ shined
Strong's: H1984
Word #: 1 of 7
to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causativ
נֵ֭רוֹ When his candle H5216
נֵ֭רוֹ When his candle
Strong's: H5216
Word #: 2 of 7
a lamp (i.e., the burner) or light (literally or figuratively)
עֲלֵ֣י H5921
עֲלֵ֣י
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 3 of 7
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
רֹאשִׁ֑י upon my head H7218
רֹאשִׁ֑י upon my head
Strong's: H7218
Word #: 4 of 7
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
לְ֝אוֹרוֹ and when by his light H216
לְ֝אוֹרוֹ and when by his light
Strong's: H216
Word #: 5 of 7
illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
אֵ֣לֶךְ H1980
אֵ֣לֶךְ
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 6 of 7
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
חֹֽשֶׁךְ׃ through darkness H2822
חֹֽשֶׁךְ׃ through darkness
Strong's: H2822
Word #: 7 of 7
the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness

Analysis & Commentary

When his candle shined upon my head—the Hebrew נֵר (ner, lamp/candle) represents God's presence and guidance. The verb הִלֵּל (hillel, shine/give light) suggests active illumination. God's "candle" shining on Job's head indicates divine favor, wisdom, and direction—the same imagery Proverbs uses: "The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD" (Proverbs 20:27). By his light I walked through darkness uses אוֹר (or, light) with הָלַךְ (halakh, walk), depicting life as a journey. The darkness (חֹשֶׁךְ, choshek) represents trials, dangers, or uncertainty—yet God's light provided guidance.

Job remembers when divine guidance illuminated his path, enabling him to navigate life's difficulties confidently. This contrasts painfully with his present darkness, where God seems absent or hostile (23:8-9). The imagery anticipates both Psalm 119:105 ("Thy word is a lamp unto my feet") and Jesus's declaration: "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12). Job's testimony about walking by divine light in darkness speaks to every believer's experience of God's guidance.

Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, before electric lighting, lamps were essential for navigating darkness. A lamp going out meant danger, disorientation, and vulnerability. Biblical imagery frequently uses light/darkness to represent God's presence/absence, knowledge/ignorance, blessing/curse. Job lived before written Scripture, so "God's light" would have meant direct divine communication, wisdom, or sense of God's favor—what later generations would receive through Scripture and ultimately through Christ, the true Light.

Questions for Reflection