Job 31:16 Meaning and Explanation
“If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail;”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Job swears he never denied the poor what they needed or left a widow waiting in vain until her eyes grew weary.
What Does Job 31:16 Mean?
Job now turns to his care for the vulnerable. He denies having 'withheld the poor from their desire' — refusing them help — or causing the 'eyes of the widow to fail,' that is, leaving her to wait in hopeless longing for aid that never came.
The poor and the widow are those least able to repay or to demand. Job's claim is that he met their need precisely because it was right, not because it was profitable. Throughout Scripture God shows special concern for the widow and the destitute; to love them as Job did is to share the heart of the Lord who lifts up the lowly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Job 31:16
What does Job 31:16 mean?
Job swears he never denied the poor what they needed or left a widow waiting in vain until her eyes grew weary.