Job 31:16
If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail;
Original Language Analysis
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 7
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
אֶ֭מְנַע
If I have withheld
H4513
אֶ֭מְנַע
If I have withheld
Strong's:
H4513
Word #:
2 of 7
to debar (negatively or positively) from benefit or injury
מֵחֵ֣פֶץ
from their desire
H2656
מֵחֵ֣פֶץ
from their desire
Strong's:
H2656
Word #:
3 of 7
pleasure; hence (abstractly) desire; concretely, a valuable thing; hence (by extension) a matter (as something in mind)
דַּלִּ֑ים
the poor
H1800
דַּלִּ֑ים
the poor
Strong's:
H1800
Word #:
4 of 7
properly, dangling, i.e., (by implication) weak or thin
וְעֵינֵ֖י
or have caused the eyes
H5869
וְעֵינֵ֖י
or have caused the eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
5 of 7
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern legal codes (Hammurabi, Hittite laws) included provisions for vulnerable populations, but Israel's law went further, grounding care for the poor in God's character and covenant. God Himself defends widows and orphans (Psalm 68:5). Job's adherence to these standards demonstrated covenant faithfulness that his friends wrongly denied.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Job's care for the vulnerable demonstrate the relationship between faith and works?
- What specific actions toward the poor, widows, and orphans does this passage call Christians to today?
- How should Job's self-examination inform our own assessment of whether we've fulfilled covenant obligations?
Analysis & Commentary
Job defends his character: "If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail." The verb mana (מָנַע, "withheld") means to keep back or deny. The noun chephets (חֵפֶץ, "desire") refers to what they need or request. The phrase "caused the eyes of the widow to fail" means disappointing her expectations, making her hope in vain. Job claims he met needs rather than ignoring them. This reflects Torah ethics: caring for the poor, orphans, and widows was covenant obligation (Deuteronomy 24:17-21). From a Reformed perspective, Job demonstrates that genuine faith produces works—not to earn salvation but as fruit of righteousness. James 1:27 defines pure religion as visiting orphans and widows in their affliction. Job's self-examination reveals that justification by faith produces sanctification in deeds. His defense isn't self-righteousness but evidence that his suffering doesn't result from neglecting covenant obligations.