Job 31:16

Translations

Modern

If I have denied the desires of the poor or allowed the widow’s eyes to fail,

Traditional

If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail;

Literal

If I have withheld the poor from pleasure and made to fail the eyes of the widow,

Latin

Si negavi quod volebant pauperibus, et oculos viduæ expectare feci;

Original

Hebrew

English

If I have denied the desires of the poor or allowed the widow’s eyes to fail,

Notes

Job 31:1–40

Job called down wrong against himself (curses) if he was guilty of the accusations against him. Apart from mentioning idolatry (worship of false gods), Job spoke about how loyal he was to God by focusing on the second half of the Ten Commandments (31:26–27). The summary of these is: “love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18; Romans 13:9).

Job 29:1–31:40

Job compares his past happiness, honor, and wealth with his current loss of social dignity and divine friendship (chapters 29 and 30). He ends his speech with broad vows of innocence (chapter 31).

Theme notes and profiles

Job’s Innocence

Events

Job's Trial

Related verses

Deuteronomy 15:7–10
If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, then you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother.
Isaiah 38:14
I chirp like a swallow or crane; I moan like a dove. My eyes grow weak as I look upward. O Lord, I am oppressed; be my security.”
Psalm 119:123
My eyes fail, looking for Your salvation, and for Your righteous promise.
Job 22:7–9
You gave no water to the weary and withheld food from the famished,
Psalm 112:9
He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor.
Deuteronomy 28:32
Your sons and daughters will be given to another nation, while your eyes grow weary looking for them day after day, with no power in your hand.
Acts 11:29
So the disciples, each according to his ability, decided to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.
Job 20:19
For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor; he has seized houses he did not build.
Luke 16:21
…and longing to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
Galatians 2:10
They only asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.
Lamentations 4:17
All the while our eyes were failing as we looked in vain for help. We watched from our towers for a nation that could not save us.
Job 5:16
So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts its mouth.

Glossary

Book of Job Curse, Cursed

Topics

Beneficence: Job Integrity: General Scriptures Concerning Love to Man: should be Exhibited, in Visiting the Sick Orphan: General Scriptures Concerning Poor: Kindness To by Job Poor: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Temptation: Resistance To Widow: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Widows: Saints: Disappoint Not

Job 31:16

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