Bible Strands
Job 29:24
If I smiled at them, they did not believe it; the light of my countenance was precious.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Job addresses his former audience, recalling a period before his affliction when they eagerly awaited his counsel and recognized his authoritative presence.
The words — אֶשְׂחַ֣ק ('es.Chak) translates literally as "I laughed" or "I smiled," while יַפִּילֽוּ (ya.pi.Lu) means "they made fall" or "they despised," describing how the people failed to register his joy and treated his radiant demeanor as worthless.
The thread — The motif of divine or authoritative facial light appears in Psalms 4:6 and Psalms 89:15, where it functions as a symbol of favor and guidance.
Why it lands — The text records that Job's former listeners dismissed his visible joy and presence as insignificant, demanding the reader confront how human authority and comfort are routinely undervalued when circumstances shift.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
If I laughed on them, they believed it not; and the light of my countenance they cast not down.
Cross-references
- Psalms 4:6 Many ask, “Who can show us the good?” Shine the light of Your face upon us, O LORD.
- Psalms 89:15 Blessed are those who know the joyful sound, who walk, O LORD, in the light of Your presence.
- Psalms 126:1 A song of ascents. When the LORD restored the captives of Zion, we were like dreamers.
- Genesis 45:26 “Joseph is still alive,” they said, “and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt!” But Jacob was stunned, for he did not believe them.
- Luke 24:41 While they were still in disbelief because of their joy and amazement, He asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”