If I laughed on them, they believed it not; and the light of my countenance they cast not down.
Parallel translations
- WEB I smiled on them when they had no confidence. They didn’t reject the light of my face.
- BSB If I smiled at them, they did not believe it; the light of my countenance was precious.
- NKJV If I mocked at them, they did not believe it, And the light of my countenance they did not cast down.
- NASB “I smiled at them when they did not believe, And they did not look at my kindness ungraciously.
- NLT When they were discouraged, I smiled at them. My look of approval was precious to them.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Job's smile encouraged the discouraged, and his favor was treasured by all.
Overview
Job recalls the cheering effect of his approval on those who had lost confidence; the 'light of his face' was a sign of favor they valued. His countenance brought reassurance and hope. This dim reflection of divine favor points to the greater blessing of God's face shining upon His people (Numbers 6:25-26), realized fully in Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Ps 89:15Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.
- Ps 126:1When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
- Ps 4:6There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
- Luke 24:41And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?
- Gen 45:26And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob’s heart fainted, for he believed them not.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Job's cry for a mediator who can lay his hand on both God and man, and his confidence that 'my Redeemer lives' and will stand on the earth, reaches forward to Jesus the living Redeemer.
How Job 29:24 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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