New King James Version
Job 31:21
21If I have raised my hand against the fatherless, When I saw I had 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 Living Translation (NLT)“If I raised my hand against an orphan, knowing the judges would take my side,
Context of Job 31:21
19If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, Or any poor man without covering; 20If his heart has not blessed me, And if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep; If I have raised my hand against the fatherless, When I saw I had help in the gate; 22Then let my arm fall from my shoulder, Let my arm be torn from the socket. 23For destruction from God is a terror to me, And because of His magnificence I cannot endure.
Read all of Job 31Job 31:21 word by word
אִם־הֲנִיפ֣וֹתִי עַל־יָת֣וֹם יָדִ֑י כִּֽי־אֶרְאֶ֥ה בַ֝שַּׁ֗עַר עֶזְרָתִֽי׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Job 31:21
- Job 6:27Yes, you overwhelm the fatherless, And you undermine your friend.
- Job 22:9You have sent widows away empty, And the strength of the fatherless was crushed.
- Job 24:9“Some snatch the fatherless from the breast, And take a pledge from the poor.
- Job 29:12Because I delivered the poor who cried out, The fatherless and the one who had no helper.
- Proverbs 23:10Do not remove the ancient landmark, Nor enter the fields of the fatherless;
- Jeremiah 5:28They have grown fat, they are sleek; Yes, they surpass the deeds of the wicked; They do not plead the cause, The cause of the fatherless; Yet they prosper, And the right of the needy they do not defend.
- Ezekiel 22:7In you they have made light of father and mother; in your midst they have oppressed the stranger; in you they have mistreated the fatherless and the widow.
- Micah 2:1Woe to those who devise iniquity, And work out evil on their beds! At morning light they practice it, Because it is in the power of their hand.
- Micah 7:3That they may successfully do evil with both hands— The prince asks for gifts, The judge seeks a bribe, And the great man utters his evil desire; So they scheme 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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries