Job 31:21 Meaning and Explanation
“If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate:”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Job swears he never used his influence at the city gate to harm the fatherless.
What Does Job 31:21 Mean?
Job denies having 'lifted up my hand against the fatherless.' The 'gate' was the place where legal cases were judged; to see his 'help in the gate' means he had allies and standing among the judges. He could have exploited that power to crush the orphan in court.
The temptation is real: when a person holds influence and the weak have none, justice can be bent in the strong man's favor. Job refused to weaponize his standing. True righteousness does not use power to oppress those who cannot defend themselves, but restrains its own strength on their behalf — as God Himself does for the helpless.
Frequently Asked Questions About Job 31:21
What does Job 31:21 mean?
Job swears he never used his influence at the city gate to harm the fatherless.