Job 29:20 (KJV)

What does Job 29:20 mean?

Job 29:20 describes how Job remembers a time when his honor and strength were still strong and continually renewed. He uses the image of his "glory" being fresh within him and his "bow"—a symbol of power or ability—being renewed in his hand to express how vibrant and capable he once felt.

In this verse, Job is speaking to his friends, recalling his former days before his suffering began. He is describing a period when he felt respected and vigorous, with his reputation and abilities constantly refreshed. This is part of Job’s larger speech in which he mourns the loss of his former status and blessings.

The Hebrew behind Job 29:20

• "glory" (כָּבוֹד, kavod): This word often means honor, reputation, or splendor. Here, Job is remembering the respect and dignity he once enjoyed.
• "fresh" (חָדָשׁ, chadash): This word means new or renewed. Job’s sense of honor felt continually new and undiminished.
• "bow" (קֶשֶׁת, qeshet): The bow was a symbol of strength and readiness for action or defense. Job’s ability and power were not just present, but renewed.
• "renewed" (חָדַשׁ, chadash): This is the verb form of "fresh," emphasizing the idea of something being made new again, highlighting Job’s ongoing vitality.

Why Job 29:20 matters

• Job 29:20 helps clarify that Job is not just mourning physical loss, but also the loss of respect, honor, and inner strength he once had.
• The verse uses vivid imagery to show how Job’s sense of self and capability were not static but continually refreshed, making his current suffering feel even more acute.
• This verse connects to the wider passage where Job contrasts his past blessed state with his present misery, helping readers understand the depth of his lament.