Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger. New Living Translation I was a father to the poor and assisted strangers who needed help. English Standard Version I was a father to the needy, and I searched out the cause of him whom I did not know. Berean Standard Bible I was a father to the needy, and I took up the case of the stranger. King James Bible I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out. New King James Version I was a father to the poor, And I searched out the case that I did not know. New American Standard Bible “I was a father to the poor, And I investigated the case which I did not know. NASB 1995 “I was a father to the needy, And I investigated the case which I did not know. NASB 1977 “I was a father to the needy, And I investigated the case which I did not know. Legacy Standard Bible I was a father to the needy, And I searched out the case which I did not know. Amplified Bible “I was a father to the needy; I investigated the case I did not know [and assured justice]. Christian Standard Bible I was a father to the needy, and I examined the case of the stranger. Holman Christian Standard Bible I was a father to the needy, and I examined the case of the stranger. American Standard Version I was a father to the needy: And the cause of him that I knew not I searched out. Contemporary English Version I was a father to the needy, and I defended them in court, even if they were strangers. English Revised Version I was a father to the needy: and the cause of him that I knew not I searched out. GOD'S WORD® Translation I was father to the needy. I carefully investigated cases brought by strangers. Good News Translation I was like a father to the poor and took the side of strangers in trouble. International Standard Version I was a father to the needy; I diligently inquired into the case of those I didn't know. Majority Standard Bible I was a father to the needy, and I took up the case of the stranger. NET Bible I was a father to the needy, and I investigated the case of the person I did not know; New Heart English Bible I was a father to the needy. The cause of him who I did not know, I searched out. Webster's Bible Translation I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out. World English Bible I was a father to the needy. I researched the cause of him whom I didn’t know. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionI [am] a father to the needy, "" And the cause I have not known I search out. Young's Literal Translation A father I am to the needy, And the cause I have not known I search out. Smith's Literal Translation I was a father to the needy, and the contention I knew not I shall search it out. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleI was the father of the poor: and the cause which I knew not, I searched out most diligently. Catholic Public Domain Version I was the father of the poor; and if I lacked knowledge about any case, I investigated very diligently. New American Bible I was a father to the poor; the complaint of the stranger I pursued, New Revised Standard Version I was a father to the needy, and I championed the cause of the stranger. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleI was a father to the poor; and the cause which I knew not I searched out. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated I was a father to the afflicted, and judgment that I had not known I searched out OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917I was a father to the needy; And the cause of him that I knew not I searched out. Brenton Septuagint Translation I was the father of the helpless; and I searched out the cause which I knew not. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Job's Former Blessings…15I served as eyes to the blind and as feet to the lame. 16I was a father to the needy, and I took up the case of the stranger. 17I shattered the fangs of the unjust and snatched the prey from his teeth.… Cross References Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.” James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. Psalm 82:3-4 Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. / Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked. Proverbs 31:8-9 Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed. / Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy. Matthew 25:35-40 For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, / I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’ / Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? ... Isaiah 58:6-7 Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke? / Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Galatians 2:10 They only asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do. Deuteronomy 10:18 He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing. Luke 4:18-19 “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, / to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Jeremiah 22:16 He took up the cause of the poor and needy, and so it went well with him. Is this not what it means to know Me?” declares the LORD. 1 John 3:17-18 If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? / Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth. Exodus 22:22-24 You must not mistreat any widow or orphan. / If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to Me in distress, I will surely hear their cry. / My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword; then your wives will become widows and your children will be fatherless. Acts 20:35 In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Zechariah 7:9-10 “This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Administer true justice. Show loving devotion and compassion to one another. / Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’ Romans 15:1-2 We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves. / Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. Treasury of Scripture I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out. a father Job 31:18 (For from my youth he was brought up with me, as with a father, and I have guided her from my mother's womb;) Esther 2:7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter. Psalm 68:5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. the cause Exodus 18:26 And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves. Deuteronomy 13:14 Then shalt thou inquire, and make search, and ask diligently; and, behold, if it be truth, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought among you; Deuteronomy 17:8-10 If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose; … Jump to Previous Case Cause Investigated Needy Poor Search Searched Searching Strange StrangerJump to Next Case Cause Investigated Needy Poor Search Searched Searching Strange StrangerJob 29 1. Job bemoans his former prosperityI was a father to the needy This phrase highlights Job's role as a protector and provider for those in need. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a "father" was not only a biological parent but also a figure of authority and care. Job's actions reflect the biblical principle of caring for the poor and vulnerable, as seen in Proverbs 19:17, which states that kindness to the poor is akin to lending to the Lord. This role of a father to the needy can be seen as a type of Christ, who is described in Isaiah 9:6 as the "Everlasting Father" and who demonstrated compassion for the marginalized during His earthly ministry. and I took up the case of the stranger Persons / Places / Events 1. JobA man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He was a wealthy and respected figure in his community, known for his righteousness and justice. 2. The Needy Individuals in society who lack basic necessities and require assistance. Job refers to himself as a "father" to these individuals, indicating his role as a protector and provider. 3. The Stranger A person who is not native to the community, often lacking social support and legal rights. Job's advocacy for the stranger highlights his commitment to justice and hospitality. 4. Uz The land where Job lived, a place of prosperity but also of great trials for Job. 5. Job's Friends Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who visit Job during his suffering and engage in dialogues about the nature of his afflictions and righteousness. Teaching Points Compassionate LeadershipJob exemplifies a leader who uses his influence to care for the vulnerable. Believers are called to emulate this by being advocates for those in need within their communities. Justice and Advocacy Job's actions remind us of the biblical mandate to seek justice and defend the rights of the marginalized. Christians should actively engage in social justice issues, reflecting God's heart for the oppressed. Hospitality to Strangers Job's defense of the stranger challenges us to extend hospitality and kindness to those who are different from us, reflecting the inclusive love of Christ. Role of a Spiritual Father Being a "father" to the needy involves more than providing material support; it includes offering guidance, protection, and spiritual mentorship.Verse 16. - I was a father to the poor (comp. ver. 12, and see below, ch. 31:16-22): and the cause which I knew not I searched out; rather, the cause of him that I knew not I searched out (see the Revised Version). When men were quite unknown to him, Job still gave to their causes the utmost possible attention, "searching them out," or investigating them, as diligently as if they had been the causes of his own friends. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Iאָ֭נֹכִֽי (’ā·nō·ḵî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 595: I was a father אָ֣ב (’āḇ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1: Father to the needy, לָֽאֶבְיוֹנִ֑ים (lā·’eḇ·yō·w·nîm) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 34: In want, needy, poor and I took up אֶחְקְרֵֽהוּ׃ (’eḥ·qə·rê·hū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singular Strong's 2713: To penetrate, to examine intimately the case וְרִ֖ב (wə·riḇ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7379: Strife, dispute of the stranger. לֹא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no Links Job 29:16 NIVJob 29:16 NLT Job 29:16 ESV Job 29:16 NASB Job 29:16 KJV Job 29:16 BibleApps.com Job 29:16 Biblia Paralela Job 29:16 Chinese Bible Job 29:16 French Bible Job 29:16 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Job 29:16 I was a father to the needy (Jb) |
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