Job 22:7

7 You have given no water to the weary to drink, and you have withheld bread from the hungry.

Job 22:7 Meaning and Commentary

Job 22:7

Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink
To a weary thirsty traveller, to whom in those hot countries cold water was very refreshing, and which in desert places was not to be had in common, or any where; rich men were possessed of their wells and fountains, and were kept for their own use, and it was a kindness and favour to obtain water of them; and yet a cup of cold water is one of the least favours to be given to a poor man, and to deny it him in distress was very inhuman, and was very far from Job's character:

and thou hast withholden bread from the hungry:
bread, which strengthens man's heart, and is the staff of life, without which he cannot support; and this is not to be withheld from, but given even to an enemy when hungry; and to deny it to a poor neighbour in such circumstances is very cruel; the charge is, that Job would not give a poor hungry man a morsel of bread to eat; which must be false, being directly contrary to what he strongly asserts, ( Job 31:17 ) .

Job 22:7 In-Context

5 Is not your wickedness great? There is no end to your iniquities.

6 For you have exacted pledges of your brothers for nothing, and stripped the naked of their clothing.

7 You have given no water to the weary to drink, and you have withheld bread from the hungry.

8 The man with power possessed the land, and the favored man dwelt in it.

9 You have sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless were crushed.