Job 29:7
New International Version
“When I went to the gate of the city and took my seat in the public square,

New Living Translation
“Those were the days when I went to the city gate and took my place among the honored leaders.

English Standard Version
When I went out to the gate of the city, when I prepared my seat in the square,

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

King James Bible
When I went out to the gate through the city, when I prepared my seat in the street!

New King James Version
“When I went out to the gate by the city, When I took my seat in the open square,

New American Standard Bible
“When I went out to the gate of the city, When I took my seat in the public square,

NASB 1995
“When I went out to the gate of the city, When I took my seat in the square,

NASB 1977
“When I went out to the gate of the city, When I took my seat in the square;

Legacy Standard Bible
When I went out to the gate of the city, When I took my seat in the square,

Amplified Bible
“When I went out to the gate of the city, When I took my seat [as a city father] in the square,

Christian Standard Bible
When I went out to the city gate and took my seat in the town square,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When I went out to the city gate and took my seat in the town square,

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

Contemporary English Version
When I sat down at the meeting of the city council,

English Revised Version
When I went forth to the gate unto the city, when I prepared my seat in the street,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When I went through the city gate and took my seat in the town square,

Good News Translation
Whenever the city elders met and I took my place among them,

International Standard Version
"Whenever I went out to the city gate, a seat had been reserved for me in the plaza.

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

NET Bible
When I went out to the city gate and secured my seat in the public square,

New Heart English Bible
when I went forth to the city gate, when I prepared my seat in the street.

Webster's Bible Translation
When I went out to the gate through the city, when I prepared my seat in the street!

World English Bible
when I went out to the city gate, when I prepared my seat in the street.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
When I go out to the gate by the city, "" In a broad place I prepare my seat.

Young's Literal Translation
When I go out to the gate by the city, In a broad place I prepare my seat.

Smith's Literal Translation
In my going forth to the gate upon the city, in the street I shall prepare my seat.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
When I went out to the gate of the city, and in the street they prepared me a chair?

Catholic Public Domain Version
When I went to the gate of the city, or to the main street, they prepared a chair for me.

New American Bible
Whenever I went out to the gate of the city and took my seat in the square,

New Revised Standard Version
When I went out to the gate of the city, when I took my seat in the square,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
When I went out to the gate of the city and called on the people; and sat down like a poor man in the street,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
When I proceeded to the gate and I called, and I sat in the market as the afflicted
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
When I went forth to the gate unto the city, When I prepared my seat in the broad place,

Brenton Septuagint Translation
When I went forth early in the city, and the seat was placed for me in the streets.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Job's Former Blessings
6when my steps were bathed in cream and the rock poured out for me streams of oil! 7When I went out to the city gate and took my seat in the public square, 8the young men saw me and withdrew, and the old men rose to their feet.…

Cross References
Proverbs 31:23
Her husband is known at the city gates, where he sits among the elders of the land.

Ruth 4:1-2
Meanwhile, Boaz went to the gate and sat down there. Soon the kinsman-redeemer of whom he had spoken came along, and Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down. / Then Boaz took ten of the elders of the city and said, “Sit here,” and they did so.

Amos 5:10
There are those who hate the one who reproves in the gate and despise him who speaks with integrity.

Isaiah 29:21
those who indict a man with a word, who ensnare the mediator at the gate, and who with false charges deprive the innocent of justice.

Lamentations 5:14
The elders have left the city gate; the young men have stopped their music.

Deuteronomy 21:19
his father and mother are to lay hold of him and bring him to the elders of his city, to the gate of his hometown,

Jeremiah 26:10-11
When the officials of Judah heard these things, they went up from the king’s palace to the house of the LORD and sat there at the entrance of the New Gate. / Then the priests and prophets said to the officials and all the people, “This man is worthy of death, for he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears!”

Proverbs 31:31
Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates.

Genesis 19:1
Now the two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When Lot saw them, he got up to meet them, bowed facedown,

2 Samuel 19:8
So the king got up and sat in the gate, and all the people were told: “Behold, the king is sitting in the gate.” So they all came before the king. Meanwhile, the Israelites had fled, each man to his home.

Acts 17:17
So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplace with those he met each day.

Matthew 11:16-17
To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: / ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’

Luke 7:32
They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to one another: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’

Acts 16:19-21
When the girl’s owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities in the marketplace. / They brought them to the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews and are throwing our city into turmoil / by promoting customs that are unlawful for us Romans to adopt or practice.”

Acts 5:27
They brought them in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, where the high priest interrogated them.


Treasury of Scripture

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

Deuteronomy 16:18
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.

Deuteronomy 21:19
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;

Ruth 4:1,2,11
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…

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Job 29
1. Job bemoans his former prosperity














When I went out
This phrase indicates a deliberate action by Job, suggesting a routine or customary practice. In the Hebrew context, "going out" often implies leaving one's private domain to engage with the community. It reflects Job's active participation in societal life, emphasizing his role as a respected leader. The Hebrew root "yatsa" conveys movement with purpose, highlighting Job's intentional involvement in public affairs.

to the city gate
The city gate in ancient times was not merely an entrance but a central hub for community life. It was a place of commerce, legal proceedings, and social interaction. The Hebrew word "sha'ar" signifies a place of authority and decision-making. Job's presence at the city gate underscores his status as a judge and elder, respected for his wisdom and fairness. Archaeological findings reveal that city gates often had chambers for elders to sit and deliberate, reinforcing the significance of this location in the narrative.

and took my seat
Taking a seat at the city gate implies a position of authority and respect. In ancient Near Eastern culture, sitting was a posture of teaching and judgment. The Hebrew verb "yashab" means to dwell or remain, indicating Job's established role in the community. This act of sitting symbolizes his recognized authority and the trust the community placed in his judgments and decisions.

in the public square
The public square, or "rechov" in Hebrew, was an open space for gatherings, discussions, and public announcements. It was a place where the community came together, and leaders like Job would address the people. This setting highlights Job's accessibility and his willingness to engage with the community. The public square was a democratic space where voices could be heard, and Job's presence there signifies his commitment to justice and righteousness.

(7) To the gate.--There business was transacted. (Comp. the expression, which is still used with reference to the Turkish Empire, of "the Sublime Porte," or the supreme Place of government; Psalm 127:5; Jer. 35:20, &c.)

Verse 7. - When I went out to the gate through the city; rather, by the city, or over against the city. The "gate" was the place where justice was administered, and public business generally despatched. It would be "over against" the city, separated from it by a large square or place (רְחוב), in which a multitude might assemble (sue Nehemiah 8:1). Hither Job was accustomed to proceed from time to time, to act as judge and administrator. When I prepared my seat in the street. On such occasions a seat would be brought out and "prepared," where the judge would sit to hear causes and deliver sentences (comp. Nehemiah 3:7).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When I went out
בְּצֵ֣אתִי (bə·ṣê·ṯî)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

to the city
קָ֑רֶת (qā·reṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7176: Town, city

gate
שַׁ֣עַר (ša·‘ar)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate

and took
אָכִ֥ין (’ā·ḵîn)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3559: To be erect

my seat
מוֹשָׁבִֽי׃ (mō·wō·šā·ḇî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 4186: A seat, assembly, dwelling place, dwelling, dwellers

in the public square,
בָּ֝רְח֗וֹב (bā·rə·ḥō·wḇ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7339: A broad open place, plaza


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OT Poetry: Job 29:7 When I went forth to the city (Jb)
Job 29:6
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