Job 31:19

19 I have not let anyone die for lack of clothes or let a needy person go without a coat.

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 I have not kept my food to myself but have given it to the orphans.
18 Since I was young, I have been like a father to the orphans. From my birth I guided the widows.
19 I have not let anyone die for lack of clothes or let a needy person go without a coat.
20 That person's heart blessed me, because I warmed him with the wool of my sheep.
21 I have never hurt an orphan even when I knew I could win in court.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.