Job 29 12

Job 29:12 kjv

Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.

Job 29:12 nkjv

Because I delivered the poor who cried out, The fatherless and the one who had no helper.

Job 29:12 niv

because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist them.

Job 29:12 esv

because I delivered the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to help him.

Job 29:12 nlt

For I assisted the poor in their need
and the orphans who required help.

Job 29 verses

Job 29 12 Meaning

Job 29:12 describes Job's past righteous conduct, specifically highlighting his active role in defending the vulnerable. He asserts that he intervened on behalf of the impoverished who pleaded for help and provided support to fatherless children who lacked any other assistance. This verse emphasizes his compassionate justice and proactive care for the marginalized in society.

Job 29 12 Context

Job 29 is part of Job's final soliloquy before God answers him. In this chapter, Job wistfully recalls his former glory days when he was highly respected in the community, honored by elders, and seen as a wise leader. He reminisces about his social standing, his counsel being sought, and his prosperous life. Verse 12 serves as a pivotal point, providing concrete examples of why he was so revered and blessed: his active and selfless commitment to justice and compassion for the most vulnerable. This detailed recounting of his virtuous past actions stands as a profound counter-argument to his friends' accusations that he must have sinned to deserve his suffering. It underscores his integrity and challenges their simplistic retribution theology. Culturally, care for the poor, widow, and orphan was a fundamental expectation for righteous individuals and leaders in the Ancient Near East, often mandated in legal codes and emphasized as a divine attribute.

Job 29 12 Word analysis

• For (כִּֽי - kî): This conjunction introduces the reason or explanation for the respect and blessing Job experienced, connecting his past actions to his former standing. It signifies "because," setting up a causal relationship.
• I (אֲשֶׁר - asher, implicitly 'that I'; or embedded in verb): While no standalone "I" pronoun is explicitly stated as the first word after "for," the verb form "delivered" is first-person singular. This highlights Job's personal, direct, and active involvement. It wasn't someone else; he did it.
• delivered (וָאֲמַלְּטֵ֑הוּ - wa'amalletehu): From the root "מָלַט" (malat), meaning "to escape," "to deliver," "to bring to safety." It conveys a strong sense of active rescue, liberating someone from a dangerous, oppressive, or helpless situation. This wasn't passive empathy; it was forceful, effectual intervention. The Hiphil conjugation indicates causative action – "I caused to escape" or "I brought to safety."
• the poor (דַּל - dal): Refers to those who are lowly, weak, or powerless, often implying material poverty and social vulnerability. In the ancient world, the "dal" was easily exploited and often without recourse. Job did not merely acknowledge their existence but intervened on their behalf.
• who cried for help (מְשַׁוֵּֽעַ - meshave'a): From the verb "שָׁוַע" (shava'), meaning "to cry out for help," "to lament," "to implore." This highlights the desperate and audible nature of their need. Job was not only sensitive to the silent suffering but responsive to the direct plea. It underscores the urgency of their situation.
• and the fatherless (וְיָת֥וֹם - ve-yātōm): Specifically an orphan, one whose father has died. In patrilineal ancient societies, fatherless children were among the most vulnerable, often losing their legal protection, inheritance, and primary means of support. Their well-being was a direct measure of societal justice.
• who had no one to help him (וְלֹֽא־עֹזֵ֖ר לֹֽו - ve-lo'-ōzēr lō): Lit. "and no helper to him." This phrase emphasizes the absolute isolation and extreme helplessness of the fatherless. There was no advocate, no supporter, no one to intercede for them. Job filled this void, becoming the sole source of assistance.

Job 29 12 Bonus section

Job's defense in this chapter, culminating in verses like 29:12-17, demonstrates a "reverse curse" principle. While many ANE curses involved dire consequences for neglecting the vulnerable, Job articulates the blessings and societal esteem that come from actively protecting them. His actions mirror God's own attributes of defending the oppressed, establishing Job as a truly righteous individual who lived out the covenantal ideals of justice and mercy long before the full codification of Israelite law. This verse also sets a standard for leaders and individuals: true righteousness is not merely about avoiding sin, but about proactive benevolence, using one's influence and resources to uplift the downtrodden.

Job 29 12 Commentary

Job 29:12 presents a profound image of practical righteousness that goes beyond mere piety or ritual observance. Job's assertion is not just that he avoided wrongdoing, but that he actively pursued good. He became an instrument of divine justice for those who were utterly defenseless. "Delivered" indicates a proactive, robust intervention, pulling the oppressed from their dire circumstances, not simply offering passive sympathy. The specific mention of "the poor who cried for help" and "the fatherless who had no one to help him" emphasizes his particular attention to the most marginalized and those in immediate, desperate need. This selfless care for the weak and voiceless was seen as a hallmark of true leadership and a life aligned with God's own character, making Job a living embodiment of the justice and compassion that God Himself models for humanity (Ps 68:5, Deut 10:18). His actions directly refute the simplistic "payback" theology of his friends by showing that true piety involves actively reflecting God's heart for justice in the world. For believers today, this verse serves as a powerful call to move beyond passive observation of suffering to active, tangible intervention, particularly for those who have no other advocate. For instance, engaging in prison ministry, supporting orphanages, advocating for marginalized communities, or volunteering at food banks are modern expressions of this timeless principle.