Job 31:18

18 (But from my youth I reared him as a father, And from my mother's womb I guided the widow);

Job 31:18 Meaning and Commentary

Job 31:18

For from my youth he was brought up with me as [with] a
father
That is, the poor or the fatherless, one or both; as soon as he was at years of discretion, and was capable of observing the distressed circumstances of others, he had a tender and compassionate regard to the poor and fatherless, and acted the part of a father to them; was as affectionately concerned for them as if he had been their father, and took such care of them as if they were his children; see ( Job 29:16 ) ;

and I have guided her from my mother's womb;
the widow, by his counsel and advice; an hyperbolical expression, signifying how early he was a succourer of such persons, by giving his friendly advice, or needful assistance; the Vulgate Latin version renders it, "from my youth mercy grew up with me" a merciful disposition, a compassionate regard to the poor and fatherless; this was as it were connatural to him; for though there is no good disposition really in man, without the grace of God, of which Job might early partake, yet there is a show of it in some persons, in comparison of others; some have a natural tender disposition to the poor, when others are naturally cruel and hardhearted to them; and so Mr. Broughton renders the words to this sense,

``for from my youth this grew with me as a father, and from my mother did I tender it:''

but the first sense seems best.

Job 31:18 In-Context

16 "If I have kept the poor from their desire, Or caused the eyes of the widow to fail,

17 Or eaten my morsel by myself, So that the fatherless could not eat of it

18 (But from my youth I reared him as a father, And from my mother's womb I guided the widow);

19 If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, Or any poor man without covering;

20 If his heart has not blessed me, And if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;