Albert Barnes Commentary Job 29:8

"The young men saw me and hid themselves, And the aged rose up and stood;" — Job 29:8 (ASV)

The young men saw me, and hid themselves - That is, they retired as if awed at my presence. They gave place to me, or reverently withdrew as I passed along.

And the aged arose, and stood up - They not merely rose, but they continued to stand still until I had passed by. “This is a most elegant description, and exhibits most correctly the great reverence and respect that was paid, even by the old and the decrepit, to the holy man, when passing along the streets, or when he sat in public. They not only rose, which for such old men was a great mark of distinction, but they stood; and they continued to do it, though the attempt was so difficult.” Lowth. The whole image presents a beautiful illustration of Eastern customs, and of the respect paid to a man of known excellence of character and distinction.