Job 31 16

Job 31:16 kjv

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

Job 31:16 nkjv

"If I have kept the poor from their desire, Or caused the eyes of the widow to fail,

Job 31:16 niv

"If I have denied the desires of the poor or let the eyes of the widow grow weary,

Job 31:16 esv

"If I have withheld anything that the poor desired, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail,

Job 31:16 nlt

"Have I refused to help the poor,
or crushed the hopes of widows?

Job 31 verses

Job 31 16 Meaning

Job 31:16 expresses Job's declaration of innocence concerning the oppression or neglect of the poor and the widow. He swears before God that he has not actively deprived the needy of their rightful portion or their necessities, nor has he caused the helpless widow to lose hope, despair, or suffer prolonged longing due to his indifference or actions. It underscores his commitment to social justice and compassionate action, a core component of his righteous living.

Job 31 16 Context

Job 31 stands as Job's most extensive and final appeal to his innocence, forming a part of his great defense before God and his friends. This chapter is an elaborate oath of integrity, where Job systematically denies a wide array of potential sins, invoking curses upon himself if he were guilty. It is a powerful affirmation of his blameless character, challenging God to find fault in him. Verse 16 falls within a section (Job 31:13-23) where Job specifically addresses his just and compassionate dealings with his servants and, significantly, with the marginalized of society: the poor and the widow. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the "widow, orphan, and sojourner" were consistently identified as the most vulnerable members of society, lacking familial or tribal protection. Their well-being was a benchmark of a just society, and their neglect or exploitation was seen as a grave sin against God's appointed order and justice, particularly within Israelite theology, where God himself is portrayed as their divine protector. Job's assertion here is a direct repudiation of any accusation, explicit or implied, that he failed in this fundamental area of social righteousness.

Job 31 16 Word analysis

• If: The Hebrew term ’im (אִם) introduces a protasis (the "if" part) of a conditional self-imprecation, typical of ancient legal oaths. It implies Job is inviting a curse or misfortune upon himself if his claim is untrue. It's a solemn vow, not a hypothetical thought.
• I have withheld: From the Hebrew verb kālāh (כָּלָה), which means to shut up, restrain, hold back, hinder, refuse. Here, kālī’tī (כָּלִ֣אתִי) signifies an active decision to deny or prevent something. Job claims he did not actively deny or impede.
• the poor: The Hebrew dal (דַּ֣ל) refers to the 'weak,' 'lowly,' 'needy,' or 'insignificant.' It describes not just financial poverty but a general state of vulnerability, dependence, and lack of power or means.
• from their desire: The Hebrew word chefeẓ (חֵפֶץ) denotes 'desire,' 'pleasure,' 'purpose,' or 'thing desired.' In this context, it speaks of their legitimate need, expectation, or the necessities they desired, such as food, relief, or justice. Job did not withhold what they genuinely longed for or required for survival.
• or have caused: The conjunction ô (אוֹ) means "or," introducing an alternative condition. "Caused" implies responsibility for an outcome.
• the eyes: The Hebrew ‘ênê (עֵינֵי) for "eyes" (plural of ayin, עַיִן) is a common biblical idiom representing hope, expectation, longing, or distress. When eyes "fail," it signifies a profound state of weariness, despair, pining, or fading hope.
• of the widow: The Hebrew ’almānāh (אַלְמָנָ֣ה) refers to a woman whose husband has died. In the ancient world, particularly without a social safety net, widows were uniquely vulnerable, often lacking legal, social, or economic protection and hence were dependent on others' charity or justice.
• to fail: From the Hebrew verb kālāh (כָּלָה), here in the causative form tiklehenah (תִּכְלֶ֣נָה), meaning 'to be consumed,' 'pine away,' 'waste away,' 'languish,' or 'perish.' It powerfully depicts the process of despair and physical decline resulting from long and unfulfilled yearning or severe neglect.

Words-group analysis:

• "If I have withheld the poor from their desire": This phrase asserts that Job never actively prevented the needy from receiving what they justly sought or required. It points to his active benevolence and absence of oppressive action, distinguishing him from those who hoard or selfishly retain resources that should aid the less fortunate.
• "or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail": This section indicates Job's denial of passively allowing suffering. It implies he did not ignore the widow's plight, leading to her protracted sorrow, despair, or even physical decline from unfulfilled hope. It underscores his compassion and attention to the most vulnerable, implying he actively relieved rather than exacerbated their suffering. The imagery of the "eyes failing" is a poignant portrayal of utter hopelessness and physical wasting due to neglect.

Job 31 16 Bonus section

• Job's comprehensive self-defense in chapter 31 goes beyond merely stating his innocence; it invokes divine judgment upon himself if he has transgressed any of these specified moral or ethical boundaries. This deep sincerity is often missed if read merely as a list of good deeds.
• The Hebrew terms used, such as dal for "poor" and almānāh for "widow," were stock terms for those utterly dependent and at risk in ancient societies. Job’s explicit mention of them showcases his adherence to the highest standards of justice prevalent in Israelite and righteous ancient Near Eastern thought, where protection of these groups was paramount.
• The specific idiom "eyes... to fail" paints a vivid picture of intense longing and despair, where the very act of looking and hoping wears out the individual. Job is denying complicity in causing such profound, sustained human suffering through neglect or inaction.

Job 31 16 Commentary

Job 31:16 forms a crucial part of Job's sweeping oath of innocence, meticulously outlining his blameless conduct toward his fellow humans and God. Specifically targeting the poor and the widow, this verse highlights Job's commitment to foundational principles of righteousness as understood in the Hebrew Scriptures. He disavows both direct acts of deprivation ("withheld the poor from their desire") and indirect negligence or apathy that would lead to prolonged suffering and despair ("caused the eyes of the widow to fail"). This is not merely an absence of wrongdoing but points to an active practice of justice and compassion. Job understands that true piety extends beyond ritual adherence to practical concern for the marginalized, aligning his character with God's own heart as protector of the vulnerable. His words serve as a testament that his suffering cannot be a result of his failure in these fundamental ethical duties. It challenges the conventional retribution theology of his friends by asserting a level of integrity that even they could not surpass. This verse exemplifies a key ethical expectation from a follower of God: active engagement in relieving suffering and preventing the despair of those in need, rather than merely avoiding direct harm.