Job 31:19

19 if I have seen anyone perishing for lack of clothing, or the needy without garments,

Job 31:19 in Other Translations

KJV
19 If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering;
ESV
19 if I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, or the needy without covering,
NLT
19 Whenever I saw the homeless without clothes and the needy with nothing to wear,
MSG
19 "Have I ever left a poor family shivering in the cold when they had no warm clothes?
CSB
19 if I have seen anyone dying for lack of clothing or a needy person without a cloak,

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 if I have kept my bread to myself, not sharing it with the fatherless—
18 but from my youth I reared them as a father would, and from my birth I guided the widow—
19 if I have seen anyone perishing for lack of clothing, or the needy without garments,
20 and their hearts did not bless me for warming them with the fleece from my sheep,
21 if I have raised my hand against the fatherless, knowing that I had influence in court,

Cross References 2

  • 1. Job 22:6; Isaiah 58:7
  • 2. S Job 24:4
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