Job 31:20
New International Version
and their hearts did not bless me for warming them with the fleece from my sheep,

New Living Translation
did they not praise me for providing wool clothing to keep them warm?

English Standard Version
if his body has not blessed me, and if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep,

Berean Standard Bible
if his heart has not blessed me for warming him with the fleece of my sheep,

King James Bible
If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;

New King James Version
If his heart has not blessed me, And if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;

New American Standard Bible
If his waist has not thanked me, And if he has not been warmed with the fleece of my sheep,

NASB 1995
If his loins have not thanked me, And if he has not been warmed with the fleece of my sheep,

NASB 1977
If his loins have not thanked me, And if he has not been warmed with the fleece of my sheep,

Legacy Standard Bible
If his loins have not blessed me, And if he has not been warmed with the fleece of my sheep,

Amplified Bible
If his loins have not thanked and blessed me [for clothing them], And if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep,

Christian Standard Bible
if he did not bless me while warming himself with the fleece from my sheep,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
if he did not bless me while warming himself with the fleece from my sheep,

American Standard Version
If his loins have not blessed me, And if he hath not been warmed with the fleece of my sheep;

Contemporary English Version
and I was praised for supplying woolen garments to keep them warm.

English Revised Version
If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
(If his body didn't bless me, or the wool from my sheep didn't keep him warm....)

Good News Translation
I would give him clothing made of wool that had come from my own flock of sheep. Then he would praise me with all his heart.

International Standard Version
if he hadn't thanked me from the bottom of his heart, if he had not been warmed by wool from my sheep,

Majority Standard Bible
if his heart has not blessed me for warming him with the fleece of my sheep,

NET Bible
whose heart did not bless me as he warmed himself with the fleece of my sheep,

New Heart English Bible
if his heart hasn't blessed me, if he hasn't been warmed with my sheep's fleece;

Webster's Bible Translation
If his loins have not blessed me, and if he hath not been warmed with the fleece of my sheep;

World English Bible
if his heart hasn’t blessed me, if he hasn’t been warmed with my sheep’s fleece;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
If his loins have not blessed me, "" And from the fleece of my sheep "" He does not warm himself,

Young's Literal Translation
If his loins have not blessed me, And from the fleece of my sheep He doth not warm himself,

Smith's Literal Translation
If his loins did not praise me, and he will be warmed from the fleece of my sheep.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If his sides have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep:

Catholic Public Domain Version
if his sides have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;

New American Bible
Whose limbs have not blessed me when warmed with the fleece of my sheep;

New Revised Standard Version
whose loins have not blessed me, and who was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
(But they were reared upon my knees, and were warmed with the fleece of my sheep);

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
If they were not reared on my knees or warmed from the wool of my sheep
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
If his loins have not blessed me, And if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and if the poor did not bless me, and their shoulders were not warmed with the fleece of my lambs;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Job's Final Appeal
19if I have seen one perish for lack of clothing, or a needy man without a cloak, 20if his heart has not blessed me for warming him with the fleece of my sheep, 21if I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless because I saw that I had support in the gate,…

Cross References
Matthew 25:35-36
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.’

Isaiah 58:7
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?

James 2:15-16
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. / If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that?

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.

Proverbs 19:17
Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.

Luke 3:11
John replied, “Whoever has two tunics should share with him who has none, and whoever has food should do the same.”

Galatians 6:9-10
Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. / Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.

Hebrews 13:16
And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Deuteronomy 15:7-11
If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, then you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother. / Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs. / Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought in your heart: “The seventh year, the year of release, is near,” so that you look upon your poor brother begrudgingly and give him nothing. He will cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin. ...

1 Timothy 6:18
Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share,

Matthew 5:42
Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Romans 12:13
Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.

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.’”

2 Corinthians 9:9-11
As it is written: “He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” / Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness. / You will be enriched in every way to be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will produce thanksgiving to God.

Leviticus 19:9-10
When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. / You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God.


Treasury of Scripture

If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;

Job 29:11
When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me:

Deuteronomy 24:13
In any case thou shalt deliver him the pledge again when the sun goeth down, that he may sleep in his own raiment, and bless thee: and it shall be righteousness unto thee before the LORD thy God.

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Job 31
1. Job makes a solemn protestation of his integrity in several duties














if his heart has not blessed me
This phrase reflects the cultural importance of hospitality and generosity in ancient Near Eastern societies. In Job's time, providing for the needy was a moral obligation, and those who received help would often express gratitude and blessings. The heart blessing someone indicates genuine appreciation and acknowledgment of kindness. This aligns with Proverbs 19:17, which states that kindness to the poor is akin to lending to the Lord, emphasizing the spiritual significance of such acts.

for warming him
The act of providing warmth is a basic yet profound expression of care and compassion. In the harsh climates of the ancient Near East, warmth was essential for survival, especially during cold nights. This phrase underscores the practical aspects of charity, where meeting physical needs is a direct way to show love and concern for others. It echoes the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 25:35-40, where caring for the least of these is equated with serving Christ Himself.

with the fleece of my sheep
Sheep were a valuable asset in ancient times, providing wool, meat, and milk. The fleece, in particular, was used for making clothing and blankets, essential for warmth. Job's mention of using his own sheep's fleece highlights his personal involvement and sacrifice in helping others. This reflects the biblical principle of stewardship, where one's resources are used to serve and bless others, as seen in 1 Timothy 6:17-19, which encourages the rich to be generous and willing to share. The imagery of sheep also connects to Jesus as the Good Shepherd, who provides for and protects His flock.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
A man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, known for his immense suffering and unwavering faith.

2. The Needy
In this context, Job refers to those who are poor or in need, whom he has helped by providing clothing and warmth.

3. The Fleece of My Sheep
This refers to the wool from Job's sheep, symbolizing the resources and wealth that Job used to care for others.
Teaching Points
Generosity as a Reflection of Faith
Job's willingness to use his resources to help others is a testament to his faith and righteousness. Believers are encouraged to reflect their faith through acts of generosity.

The Blessing of Giving
Job notes that the heart of the needy blessed him. This highlights the reciprocal nature of giving, where both the giver and receiver are blessed.

Stewardship of Resources
Job's use of his sheep's fleece to warm others demonstrates responsible stewardship. Christians are called to use their resources wisely to serve and bless others.

Compassionate Living
Job's example challenges believers to live compassionately, actively seeking opportunities to meet the needs of those around them.

Integrity in Action
Job's actions align with his words, showing integrity. Believers are encouraged to ensure their actions reflect their professed beliefs.Verse 20. - If his loins have not blessed me (see above, Job 29:11, 13), and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep. Clothed, i.e., with a garment spun from wool yielded by my own sheep. A great sheikh like Job would keep in store many such garments, ready to be given to such as were naked or poorly clad, when they came under his observation (Isaiah 58:7).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
if
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

his heart
חֲלָצָ֑יו (ḥă·lā·ṣāw)
Noun - mdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2504: The loins

has not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

blessed me
בֵרֲכ֣וּנִי (ḇê·ră·ḵū·nî)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural | first person common singular
Strong's 1288: To kneel, to bless God, man, to curse

for warming him
יִתְחַמָּֽם׃ (yiṯ·ḥam·mām)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2552: To be or become warm

with the fleece
וּמִגֵּ֥ז (ū·mig·gêz)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1488: A fleece, mown grass

of my sheep,
כְּ֝בָשַׂי (kə·ḇā·śay)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3532: A lamb


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OT Poetry: Job 31:20 If his heart hasn't blessed me if (Jb)
Job 31:19
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