Job 31 17

Job 31:17 kjv

Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof;

Job 31:17 nkjv

Or eaten my morsel by myself, So that the fatherless could not eat of it

Job 31:17 niv

if I have kept my bread to myself, not sharing it with the fatherless?

Job 31:17 esv

or have eaten my morsel alone, and the fatherless has not eaten of it

Job 31:17 nlt

Have I been stingy with my food
and refused to share it with orphans?

Job 31 verses

Job 31 17 Meaning

Job 31:17 captures Job's resolute declaration of his ethical conduct and compassion. He denies having ever consumed his food in solitary indulgence while intentionally excluding the fatherless. This statement emphasizes his commitment to sharing his personal provisions with the needy, particularly the most vulnerable, reflecting a life lived with generosity and social responsibility rather than self-centeredness or neglect. It stands as a powerful testament to his righteousness and deep concern for the marginalized in society.

Job 31 17 Context

Job 31 is Job's final, climactic self-defense, a solemn oath of innocence presented before God and his accusers. It forms a powerful ethical soliloquy where Job comprehensively articulates his integrity, itemizing specific actions and attitudes he emphatically denies, challenging any claim of unrighteousness against him. The chapter serves as Job's strongest assertion that his suffering is not a result of hidden sin.

Within this framework, verse 17 appears in a section (vv. 16-23) where Job defends his character regarding social justice and care for the vulnerable. He denies neglect of the poor, widows, and orphans, claiming that he has consistently extended compassion and practical aid. This verse specifically addresses the fundamental act of sharing one's food, highlighting his refusal to selfishly hoard basic provisions when others faced deprivation. Historically and culturally in the ancient Near East, hospitality and provision for the disadvantaged, especially those without traditional family protectors like orphans and widows, were paramount moral and religious duties. Failure to care for these vulnerable groups was a significant social transgression and a direct violation of divine expectations, as seen throughout the Mosaic Law and prophetic condemnations. Job’s oath against such practices demonstrates his profound adherence to the highest ethical standards of his time.

Job 31 17 Word analysis

• "Or" (Hebrew: ’im, אִם): This conjunction introduces another conditional clause, signifying a further aspect of Job’s comprehensive self-defense. It ties this particular ethical statement into the longer chain of denials within his oath, reinforcing the totality of his righteous conduct.
• "have eaten" (Hebrew: ’akhal-ti, אָכַלְתִּי): This is the first-person singular perfect tense of the verb "to eat," emphasizing Job's personal, habitual action or in-action. He is declaring what he has (or has not) consistently done regarding his personal sustenance.
• "my morsel" (Hebrew: pitti, פִתִּי):
  • Original Language: The noun is pat (פת), meaning "a piece" or "a slice," most commonly referring to bread or a portion of food. The possessive suffix '-i' denotes "my."
  • Significance: "Morsel" here indicates basic, everyday sustenance rather than lavish abundance. Job isn't just speaking of sharing surplus from a great feast, but his own fundamental provisions. This elevates his act of generosity, showing his willingness to share even that which is essential for himself, demonstrating a profound level of selflessness.
• "alone" (Hebrew: levaddi, לְבַדִּי):
  • Original Language: Derived from levad (לְבַד), meaning "apart," "only," or "by oneself," with the suffix denoting "my."
  • Significance: This is a crucial qualifier. It indicates not merely eating by oneself, which is a neutral act, but rather a self-centered act of exclusive consumption, consciously disregarding the presence and needs of others. The "aloneness" implies a deliberate refusal to share when sharing was called for.
• "and the fatherless" (Hebrew: v'yatom, וְיָתוֹם):
  • Original Language: The noun is yatom (יָתוֹם), which specifically means an "orphan," generally a child whose father has died. Often grouped in biblical texts with "widow" and "sojourner," symbolizing the most vulnerable and dependent members of society, lacking familial or social protection.
  • Significance: The "fatherless" represents those utterly without means or protection, making their neglect a grave ethical failure. Choosing them as the example underscores the extreme lack of compassion Job denies having.
• "hath not eaten thereof" (Hebrew: lo akhal mimmennah, לֹא־אָכַל מִמֶּנָּה): This negative phrase directly refutes the idea that the fatherless were excluded from Job's provisions. It asserts the fatherless did eat from his food, confirming his generosity and inclusive practices.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Or have eaten my morsel alone": This phrase evokes a powerful image of isolation and self-sufficiency that crosses into selfishness. Job is not merely saying he didn't eat alone in a physical sense but that he did not selfishly consume his food without concern for those in need. It speaks to a heart condition—one that prioritizes personal gratification over communal responsibility and compassionate care. This contrasts sharply with the expected communal ethics and openhandedness taught in Scripture.
• "and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof": This part specifies the primary victims of such selfishness, the most vulnerable in society. By denying that this situation occurred, Job emphatically affirms his proactive inclusion of the marginalized. It is a declaration of his active benevolence and justice, indicating that his resources, even basic sustenance, were available to those who had nothing, demonstrating practical piety and true care for the oppressed.

Job 31 17 Bonus section

• The profound ethical standards presented by Job in chapter 31 are remarkably consistent with, and even prefigure, the moral codes later enshrined in Mosaic Law regarding the care of the poor, widows, and orphans (e.g., Deut 10:18; 24:19-21). This suggests a universal recognition of these principles by righteous individuals even prior to specific legislative decrees.
• Job's "morsel" (פת, pat) can refer to the very piece of bread one breaks for oneself, emphasizing that his charity wasn't from overflow but from the essentials. This indicates a radical generosity stemming from a compassionate heart, not merely legal obligation or societal pressure.
• The rhetorical structure of Job 31, where Job swears an oath by listing potential misdeeds and then declaring his innocence (e.g., "If I have done X, then let Y happen to me... but I have not!"), makes his claims of integrity particularly powerful. He stakes his life and reputation on the truth of these assertions, inviting divine retribution if he lies.

Job 31 17 Commentary

Job 31:17 encapsulates Job's deep ethical commitment, affirming that his prosperity never fostered a spirit of selfish hoarding or neglect. His declaration is not merely a denial of wrongdoing but an implicit assertion of consistent compassionate action. By stating that he has never "eaten his morsel alone" while "the fatherless hath not eaten thereof," Job positions himself as an exemplary figure of social justice and generosity. The "morsel" represents basic sustenance, highlighting that his sharing wasn't confined to surplus but extended to essentials. His refusal to isolate himself in consumption and his active inclusion of the fatherless, who represent the epitome of vulnerability, underscore a life governed by altruism and adherence to a higher moral standard that transcends mere compliance, flowing from an inherently righteous character. This ethical purity is fundamental to Job's defense, proving his actions aligned with divine expectations of caring for the least among them.

• Example 1: A person sharing a simple meal with a needy neighbor, rather than consuming it in private when they know others are hungry.
• Example 2: An individual consistently supporting local food banks or ministries that feed the homeless, reflecting a heart unwilling to consume "alone" when others lack.