Job 31:19

19 if I have seen any perish for want of clothing or any needy without a 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 fatherless has not eaten thereof;

18 (for from my youth the fatherless was brought up with me, as with a father, and I have guided the widow from my mother’s womb)

19 if I have seen any perish for want of clothing or any needy without a covering;

20 if his loins have not blessed me and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;

21 if I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, even when I saw that they would all help me in the gate;