Job 31 21

Job 31:21 kjv

If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate:

Job 31:21 nkjv

If I have raised my hand against the fatherless, When I saw I had help in the gate;

Job 31:21 niv

if I have raised my hand against the fatherless, knowing that I had influence in court,

Job 31:21 esv

if I have raised my hand against the fatherless, because I saw my help in the gate,

Job 31:21 nlt

"If I raised my hand against an orphan,
knowing the judges would take my side,

Job 31 verses

Job 31 21 Meaning

Job 31:21 is a powerful negative confession by Job, asserting his innocence regarding the mistreatment of vulnerable individuals. He vows that he never used his superior strength or privileged position to harm an orphan, especially not when he felt secure or had powerful connections and support in the public sphere or legal proceedings, signified by "the gate." It is an affirmation of his steadfast commitment to justice and compassion, demonstrating that his actions were not swayed by potential impunity.

Job 31 21 Context

Job 31 stands as Job's solemn oath of innocence, the culmination of his defense against the accusations of his friends and his perceived injustice from God. This chapter details his blameless conduct across various areas of life, presented as a series of negative confessions ("If I have... then let..."). By detailing his righteous living, Job is asserting that his suffering is not a result of any unconfessed sin.

Verse 21 specifically addresses his treatment of the fatherless. In the ancient Near Eastern world, orphans, along with widows and foreigners, were the most vulnerable members of society, lacking the traditional familial and social protections. Protecting them was a fundamental ethical and religious obligation mandated by God's law. The "gate" of the city was the public square, the place of legal judgments, commercial transactions, and community gatherings. To have "my help in the gate" meant having influence, powerful allies, or the certainty of a favorable ruling due to one's high social standing. Job's oath here asserts that he never exploited his privileged position to oppress the defenseless, even when he could have done so with impunity.

Job 31 21 Word analysis

• "if I have lifted up my hand":

  • Hebrew: im hanifoti yadi (אִם־הֲנִיפֹתִי יָדִי)
  • Hanifoti is from the verb nūph (נוּף), meaning to wave, brandish, or shake. In this context, it signifies a threatening gesture, an act of violence, or wielding power in an aggressive or oppressive manner.
  • Job is asserting that he never resorted to physical force or intimidation against the weak, nor did he use his power to inflict harm or disadvantage them.

• "against the orphan":

  • Hebrew: al-yatom (עַל־יָתוֹם)
  • Yatom refers to a fatherless child. In ancient society, the father was the primary protector and provider, making a yatom incredibly vulnerable socially and economically.
  • The Old Testament frequently highlights God's special care for the yatom, almanah (widow), and ger (foreigner), viewing the treatment of these groups as a litmus test for a society's true righteousness. Job's assertion here aligns his character with divine justice.

• "because I saw my help in the gate":

  • Hebrew: kir'oti bash'a'ar ezrati (כִּרְאוֹתִי בַשַּׁעַר עֶזְרָתִי)
  • Kir'oti means "when I saw" or "because I saw," indicating Job's conscious awareness of his advantage.
  • "My help" (ezrati) signifies the support, influence, or resources Job possessed. This could refer to influential friends, wealth, social standing, or judicial favoritism.
  • "In the gate" (bash'a'ar) refers to the city gate, which was the place where legal cases were heard, judgments were made, and public life unfolded. Having "help in the gate" meant having sway over legal proceedings or general public opinion.
  • This phrase emphasizes Job's refusal to exploit situations where his power or connections would have allowed him to oppress the weak with perceived impunity. His righteousness was not opportunistic but deeply principled.

Job 31 21 Bonus section

This verse not only affirms Job’s past conduct but also demonstrates a profound understanding of ethical principles, particularly the temptation to abuse power when one perceives no immediate repercussions. It highlights that true righteousness extends to resisting even the inclination to sin when opportunities for wrongdoing, fueled by an assurance of impunity, present themselves. Job is asserting a spiritual vigilance over his actions, demonstrating that his moral compass remained true even in situations ripe for exploitation. His commitment was not merely to legal observance but to a deep, internalized ethic mirroring divine concern for the vulnerable.

Job 31 21 Commentary

Job 31:21 vividly illustrates the depth of Job's integrity, demonstrating that his righteousness extended beyond outward piety to fundamental social justice. His solemn declaration indicates that he never exploited his privileged position to harm the fatherless. This was a significant temptation for the powerful in ancient societies, who often had significant "help in the gate" – political or financial influence that could ensure favorable outcomes in legal or public disputes.

Job’s purity of character is seen in his refusal to use this power for oppression, even when he could have gotten away with it. This specific vow reinforces a key biblical theme: true faith manifests in compassionate and just action, especially towards the most vulnerable members of society. It challenges the idea that power grants impunity and underscores that God, the ultimate judge, always sides with the oppressed and demands justice from His people. Job's life served as a testament to acting righteously out of a transformed heart, irrespective of external pressure or perceived advantage.