American Standard Version
Job 31:21
21If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless,Because I saw my help in the gate:
Job 31:21 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate:
- New International Version (NIV)if I have raised my hand against the fatherless, knowing that I had influence in court,
- English Standard Version (ESV)if I have raised my hand against the fatherless, because I saw my help in the gate,
- New King James Version (NKJV)If I have raised my hand against the fatherless, When I saw I had help in the gate;
Context of Job 31:21
19If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, Or that the needy had no covering; 20If his loins have not blessed me, And if he hath not been warmed with the fleece of my sheep; If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, Because I saw my help in the gate: 22Then let my shoulder fall from the shoulder-blade, And mine arm be broken from the bone. 23For calamity from God is a terror to me, And by reason of his majesty I can do nothing.
Read all of Job 31Job 31:21 word by word
אִם־הֲנִיפ֣וֹתִי עַל־יָת֣וֹם יָדִ֑י כִּֽי־אֶרְאֶ֥ה בַ֝שַּׁ֗עַר עֶזְרָתִֽי׃Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Job 31:21
- Job 6:27Yea, ye would castlotsupon the fatherless, And make merchandise of your friend.
- Job 22:9Thou hast sent widows away empty, And the arms of the fatherless have been broken.
- Job 24:9There are that pluck the fatherless from the breast, And take a pledge of the poor;
- Job 29:12Because I delivered the poor that cried, The fatherless also, that had none to help him.
- Proverbs 23:10Remove not the ancient landmark; And enter not into the fields of the fatherless:
- Jeremiah 5:28They are waxed fat, they shine: yea, they overpass in deeds of wickedness; they plead not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, that they may prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.
- Ezekiel 22:7In thee have they set light by father and mother; in the midst of thee have they dealt by oppression with the sojourner; in thee have they wronged the fatherless and the widow.
- Micah 2:1Woe to them that devise iniquity and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.
- Micah 7:3Their hands are upon that which is evil to do it diligently; the prince asketh, and the judge is ready for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth the evil desire of his soul: thus they weave it together.
Commentaries on Job 31:21
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 21If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless - I have at no time opposed the orphan, nor given, in behalf of the rich and powerful, a decision against the poor, when I saw my help in the gate - when I was sitting chief on the throne of judgment, and could have done it without being called to account. There are sentiments very like these in the poem of Lebeid, one of the authors of the Moallakhat. I shall quote several verses from the elegant…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless - That is, if I have taken advantage of my rank, influence, and power, to oppress and injure him. When I saw my help in the gate - The gate of a city was a place of concourse; a place where debates were held, and where justice was administered. Job speaks here of that part of his life when he was clothed with authority as a magistrate, or when he had power and influence as a public man. He says that he…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16-23Verses 16-23 Job's conscience gave testimony concerning his just and charitable behaviour toward the poor. He is most large upon this head, because in this matter he was particularly accused. He was tender of all, and hurtful to none. Notice the principles by which Job was restrained from being uncharitable and unmerciful. He stood in awe of the Lord, as certainly against him, if he should wrong the poor. Regard to worldly interests may restrain a man…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 21I had support in the gate: Job had respect and they regarded him as part of the high class (29:7–10).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 13-2313-23. Job affirms his freedom from unfairness towards his servants, from harshness and oppression towards the needy. despise the cause--refused to do them justice.Read the comment
Topics related to Job 31:21
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Job 31
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
American Standard Version — 1901 — Public Domain
Commentaries