Tree of Life Version
Job 31:21
21if I have raised my hand against the orphan, when I saw my support 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 anyone perishing for lack of clothing or the needy without a covering, 20if his heart did not bless me as he warmed himself with the fleece of my sheep, if I have raised my hand against the orphan, when I saw my support in the gate, 22then let my shoulder blade fall from my shoulder, and let my arm be broken off at the joint. 23For calamity from God was a terror to me, and because of His majesty, I could do nothing.
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 6:27Would you cast lots for an orphan, and barter over your friend?
- Job 22:9You sent widows away empty-handed and crushed the arms of orphans.
- Job 24:9The orphan is snatched from the breast; the infant of the poor is taken as a pledge.
- Job 29:12for I saved the poor who cried for help, and the orphan who had no one to help him;
- Proverbs 23:10Do not move an ancient boundary stone, or encroach on fields of the fatherless,
- Jeremiah 5:28They grew fat and sleek. They also overlooked evil deeds. They do not uphold a cause— the cause of an orphan to prosper— nor do they defend the right of the poor.
- Ezekiel 22:7Father and mother have been treated with contempt; the outsider has been oppressed in your midst; the orphan and the widow have been mistreated in you.
- Micah 2:1Oy to them who scheme wickedness, who work out evil upon their beds! In the light of the morning, they do it, for the power is in their hands.
- Micah 7:3Both hands are diligent at doing evil. The official and the judge ask for a bribe. The distinguished man utters a 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
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