Job 31:19

19 if I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, or a poor person without covering,

Job 31:19 Meaning and Commentary

Job 31:19

If I have seen any perish for want of clothing
A man may be in such poor circumstances as to want proper clothing to cover his naked body with, and preserve it from the inclemencies of the weather, and for want of it be ready to perish or die with cold. Job denies he had seen any such; not that he had never seen persons in such perishing circumstances; but he had not seen them as to "despise" them, as the Vulgate Latin version, as to have them in contempt, or look at them with disdain because of their poverty and rags, or sordid apparel; or so as to "overlook" them, as the Septuagint version, to neglect them, and to take no notice of them, and make no provision for their clothing, a warm and comfortable garment, as in ( Job 31:20 ) :

or any poor without covering;
without clothing sufficient to cover himself with, and keep him warm; Job had seen such objects, but he did not leave them in such a condition; he saw them, and had compassion on them, and clothed them.

Job 31:19 In-Context

17 or have eaten my morsel alone, and the orphan has not eaten from it—

18 for from my youth I reared the orphan like a father, and from my mother's womb I guided the widow —

19 if I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, or a poor person without covering,

20 whose loins have not blessed me, and who was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;

21 if I have raised my hand against the orphan, because I saw I had supporters at the gate;