Job 31:16

KJV

¶ If I have withheld the poor from [their] desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail;

KJV (with Strong's)

If I have withheld {H4513} the poor {H1800} from their desire {H2656}, or have caused the eyes {H5869} of the widow {H490} to fail {H3615};

Complete Jewish Bible

"If I held back anything needed by the poor or made a widow's eye grow dim [with tears],

Berean Standard Bible

If I have denied the desires of the poor or allowed the widow’s eyes to fail,

American Standard Version

If I have withheld the poor fromtheirdesire, Or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 31:16 is a profound declaration within Job's extensive oath of innocence, where he passionately asserts his unwavering commitment to social justice and compassionate care for the most vulnerable members of society. As he defends his integrity before God and his accusers, Job vehemently denies any neglect of the poor or the deliberate infliction of despair upon widows, presenting his lifelong actions as a testament to his righteous character and adherence to divine principles of mercy and provision.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within Job's grand self-vindication, a sustained and powerful monologue spanning [Job chapters 29-31](/job/29 "Job's Final Defense of His Integrity"). In these chapters, Job recounts his former prosperity and righteous conduct, starkly contrasting it with his current inexplicable suffering. [Job 31](/job/31 "Job 31 - Job's Oath of Innocence") serves as the climactic apex of this defense, where Job issues a series of "oaths of purgation" or "negative confessions." He systematically denies having committed various sins, effectively challenging God to find fault with him and culminating in his fervent plea for a divine response ([Job 31:35](/job/31-35 "Job 31:35 - Job's Final Appeal")). Verse 16 specifically addresses his ethical treatment of the poor and widows, demonstrating his adherence to the highest standards of social responsibility, a cornerstone of true piety in the ancient world.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the poor, the orphan, and the widow constituted the most vulnerable and often unprotected segments of society, frequently lacking familial or legal recourse. Their welfare was a critical barometer for a society's moral standing and a leader's just rule. Biblical law, particularly within the Pentateuch, consistently emphasizes God's special concern for these groups, commanding Israel to provide for them and protect their rights (e.g., [Deuteronomy 15:7-8](/deuteronomy/15-7-8 "Deuteronomy 15:7-8 - Lending to the Poor and Releasing Debts")). To "withhold" from the poor or "cause the eyes of the widow to fail" would be a grave transgression against both divine injunctions and deeply ingrained societal expectations, indicative of a profound lack of compassion and justice. Job's assertion here reflects a deeply internalized understanding of these cultural and religious imperatives, portraying himself as a paragon of ethical conduct in a world where such vulnerability was often exploited.
* **Key Themes:** Job 31:16 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Job and broader biblical theology. It profoundly underscores the theme of **Social Justice**, highlighting that genuine righteousness extends beyond personal piety to active, tangible care for the marginalized. Job's proactive compassion for the poor and widows, as also vividly depicted in [Job 29:12-16](/job/29-12-16 "Job 29:12-16 - Job's Past Righteousness and Justice"), stands in stark contrast to the implicit accusations of his friends, who wrongly attribute his suffering to hidden sin. The verse also reinforces the theme of **Integrity and Accountability**, as Job makes these solemn declarations directly before God, understanding that all his actions, even those performed in secret, are fully known to the Almighty. Finally, it speaks to the **Nature of True Piety**, demonstrating that authentic faith is not merely adherence to ritual or dogma but is profoundly expressed through tangible acts of mercy and a heart aligned with God's own concern for the vulnerable, echoing the timeless principles found in [Micah 6:8](/micah/6-8 "Micah 6:8 - What the Lord Requires").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Withheld (Hebrew, _mânaʻ'_):** From H4513, this primitive root means "to debar (negatively or positively) from benefit or injury; deny, keep (back), refrain, restrain, withhold." In this context, Job's denial of having "withheld" implies not merely avoiding direct theft, but actively ensuring he did not deny the poor access to what was rightfully or necessarily theirs for their sustenance and dignity. It speaks to a proactive posture of provision rather than passive non-interference.
* **Desire (Hebrew, _chêphets'_):** From H2656, this word means "pleasure; hence (abstractly) desire; concretely, a valuable thing; hence (by extension) a matter (as something in mind); acceptable, delight(-some), desire, things desired, matter, pleasant(-ure), purpose, willingly." Here, "their desire" refers not to a fleeting wish but to the fundamental needs and legitimate longings of the poor for basic necessities, dignity, and a sustainable quality of life. To withhold from their _chêphets_ means denying them what is essential for their very well-being and contentment.
* **Fail (Hebrew, _kâlâh'_):** From H3615, this primitive root means "to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete, prepare, consume); accomplish, cease, consume (away), determine, destroy (utterly), be (when... were) done, (be an) end (of), expire, (cause to) fail, faint, finish, fulfil, [idiom] fully, [idiom] have, leave (off), long, bring to pass, wholly reap, make clean riddance, spend, quite take away, waste." When applied to the "eyes of the widow," it paints a vivid and heartbreaking picture of prolonged suffering and hopelessness. It suggests Job never allowed a widow to wait endlessly for help that never materialized, or to weep until her eyes were dim from sorrow, exhaustion, and the utter failure of hope. It implies a state of utter despair and the cessation of expectation, a condition Job claims he actively prevented.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If I have withheld the poor from [their] desire":** This clause introduces a hypothetical condition, forming part of Job's solemn oath of innocence. Job asserts that he has never deliberately denied the poor their legitimate needs or basic sustenance. This goes beyond a passive avoidance of harm; it implies a proactive stance of ensuring that the poor's fundamental "desire" or essential needs are met, reflecting a deep commitment to their well-being rather than merely refraining from direct exploitation.
* **"or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail;":** This second clause continues the hypothetical denial, focusing on the most vulnerable of the vulnerable. To "cause the eyes of the widow to fail" is a potent idiom for causing deep, prolonged despair, neglect, or unfulfilled expectation. Job claims he never allowed a widow to suffer from a lack of support to the point where her hope and vision for relief completely vanished, implying he was a consistent and active source of help and comfort, preventing their descent into utter hopelessness.

#### Literary Devices
Job 31:16 masterfully employs powerful **Imagery** and **Parallelism** to convey the depth of Job's ethical stance. The phrase "caused the eyes of the widow to fail" is a deeply evocative image of profound despair and neglect, conjuring a picture of a person whose hope has been utterly extinguished, perhaps from incessant weeping or from endless, fruitless waiting for aid. This concrete image makes the abstract concept of neglect tangible and emotionally resonant. The verse also utilizes **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the two clauses express similar ideas using different but reinforcing language: "withheld the poor from their desire" is paralleled by "caused the eyes of the widow to fail." Both clauses speak to the active prevention of suffering and the compassionate provision of care for the vulnerable, emphasizing the breadth and depth of Job's claimed compassion and integrity. The entire passage (Job 31) functions as a series of **Rhetorical Questions** or negative confessions, where Job implicitly challenges God and his friends to find him guilty of these specific transgressions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job's declaration in [Job 31:16](/job/31-16 "Job 31:16 - Job's Integrity Regarding the Poor") resonates profoundly with the consistent biblical emphasis on God's own heart for the poor, the marginalized, and the oppressed. Throughout the Old Testament, true righteousness is inextricably linked to social justice and compassion for the vulnerable, extending far beyond mere ritualistic observance. Job's self-defense here is not an attempt to earn salvation but a demonstration of a life lived in accordance with divine principles, even in the absence of the explicit Mosaic Law. His actions prefigure the ethical demands found in later biblical texts, establishing a timeless standard for how humanity should reflect God's character in their treatment of others, underscoring that genuine faith manifests in tangible acts of mercy and justice.

* [Deuteronomy 15:7-8](/deuteronomy/15-7-8 "Deuteronomy 15:7-8 - Open Your Hand to the Needy")
* [Isaiah 1:17](/isaiah/1-17 "Isaiah 1:17 - Learn to Do Good; Seek Justice")
* [James 1:27](/james/1-27 "James 1:27 - Pure Religion and Undefiled")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 31:16 challenges us to move beyond a passive avoidance of wrongdoing to an active, proactive pursuit of justice and compassion for the vulnerable. It prompts us to critically examine whether our faith is merely theoretical or if it genuinely translates into tangible acts of mercy that alleviate suffering and restore dignity to those on the margins. Do we simply refrain from harming the poor, or do we proactively seek to meet their fundamental needs and advocate for their well-being? Are we truly sensitive to the "failing eyes" of those around us—the despair of the neglected, the hopelessness of the overlooked—and do we respond with practical help, genuine care, and unwavering advocacy? This verse calls us to embody God's heart for the marginalized, ensuring that our actions reflect a deep, abiding commitment to righteousness that extends to every corner of society, mirroring the divine concern for justice and mercy.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways might I be "withholding" from the "desire" of the poor, either actively or passively, in my own life or community?**
* **What are the "failing eyes" I might be overlooking in my sphere of influence, and how can I proactively bring hope, practical help, and genuine comfort?**
* **How does my personal understanding and practice of "true religion" or "righteousness" align with Job's profound emphasis on social justice and compassionate care for the vulnerable?**

### FAQ

**What does "caused the eyes of the widow to fail" mean in this context?**

Answer: This vivid phrase is a powerful idiom signifying prolonged neglect, unfulfilled expectation, or the complete loss of hope, ultimately leading to deep despair. It suggests that Job never allowed a widow to suffer from a lack of support to the point where her vision for relief or her very hope for sustenance vanished. It implies that he actively provided for them, preventing their eyes from growing dim with weeping or from constantly scanning for help that never arrived. It speaks to the active prevention of despair and the fostering of hope for those most dependent on community support, aligning with God's consistent command to care for the vulnerable as seen in [Deuteronomy 24:19-21](/deuteronomy/24-19-21 "Deuteronomy 24:19-21 - Provisions for the Needy and Foreigners").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job's integrity in [Job 31:16](/job/31-16 "Job 31:16 - Job's Compassion for the Vulnerable") stands as a remarkable testament to human righteousness, it ultimately points to the perfect, ultimate, and divine compassion embodied by Jesus Christ. Job's self-vindication, though sincere and deeply ethical, is a human attempt to justify himself before God, highlighting the inherent limitations of even the most righteous human efforts. In stark contrast, Jesus not only perfectly embodied the care for the poor and widows that Job aspired to, but He did so from a position of divine authority and selfless, redemptive love. He is the one who truly "withheld nothing" from the desire of the poor, actively ministering to their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, bringing good news to the afflicted ([Matthew 11:5](/matthew/11-5 "Matthew 11:5 - The Blind See, the Lame Walk")). He is the one who saw the "failing eyes" of all humanity, burdened by sin, despair, and the brokenness of the world, and offered ultimate hope and eternal life, ensuring that those who come to Him will never "fail" but have everlasting life ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). Jesus' life, ministry, and sacrificial death on the cross fulfill the spirit of Job's declaration, demonstrating that true righteousness and ultimate hope are found not in our own perfect adherence to the law, but in the perfect obedience and sacrificial love of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), who offers grace and mercy to all who are poor in spirit and whose eyes have failed from the burdens of this world ([Matthew 5:3](/matthew/5-3 "Matthew 5:3 - Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 38:14

Like a crane [or] a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail [with looking] upward: O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me.

Deuteronomy 28:32

Thy sons and thy daughters [shall be] given unto another people, and thine eyes shall look, and fail [with longing] for them all the day long: and [there shall be] no might in thine hand.

Job 22:7

Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and thou hast withholden bread from the hungry.

Job 22:9

Thou hast sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken.

Luke 16:21

And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

Psalms 119:123

¶ Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.

Psalms 119:82

Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?