Job 31:18

KJV

(For from my youth he was brought up with me, as [with] a father, and I have guided her from my mother's womb;)

KJV (with Strong's)

(For from my youth {H5271} he was brought up {H1431} with me, as with a father {H1}, and I have guided {H5148} her from my mother's {H517} womb {H990};)

Complete Jewish Bible

No! From my youth he grew up with me as if with a father, and I have been her guide from my mother's womb!

Berean Standard Bible

though from my youth I reared him as would a father, and from my mother’s womb I guided the widow—

American Standard Version

(Nay, from my youth he grew up with me as with a father, And her have I guided from my mother’s womb);

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 31:18 stands as a profound declaration within Job's final, impassioned defense of his integrity before God and his accusers. In this verse, Job asserts his lifelong, deeply ingrained commitment to caring for the most vulnerable members of society—the fatherless and the widow—demonstrating that his righteousness was not merely external piety but an intrinsic, active compassion woven into the very fabric of his being from his earliest days.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 31:18 is embedded within Job's extensive and climactic oath of innocence, spanning [chapters 29-31](/job/29 "Job's Final Discourse"). Having endured the relentless, misguided accusations of his three friends, who insisted his suffering must be due to hidden sin, Job presents a detailed, point-by-point refutation. This chapter functions as a solemn, self-imprecatory oath, where Job calls down curses upon himself if he has committed any of the sins he denies. Specifically, [Job 31:16-23](/job/31-16-23 "Job's Compassion for the Poor") focuses on his unwavering commitment to social justice and charity, particularly concerning the poor, the fatherless, and the widow. By highlighting his consistent and profound care for these vulnerable groups, Job directly counters the implicit charge that he was a man of superficial piety or one who exploited the weak, thereby reinforcing his claim of blamelessness before God.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, and particularly in Israelite society, the fatherless (orphan) and the widow were consistently identified as the most vulnerable members of society. Without a male head of household, they lacked legal, economic, and social protection, often facing destitution, exploitation, and marginalization. The Mosaic Law and prophetic tradition repeatedly enjoined the people of Israel to care for these groups, reflecting God's own character as a protector of the defenseless (e.g., [Deuteronomy 10:18](/deuteronomy/10-18 "God's Care for the Fatherless and Widow")). Job's declaration in this verse, therefore, is not merely a personal boast but an assertion of adherence to a deeply ingrained societal and religious expectation. His claim of caring for them "from my youth" and "from my mother's womb" underscores an extraordinary, almost unparalleled, commitment that went far beyond mere societal obligation, reflecting a profound personal righteousness.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Book of Job. Firstly, it highlights **Job's profound integrity and righteousness**, demonstrating that his piety was not superficial but deeply rooted in active compassion for the marginalized, aligning with God's own heart for justice (cf. [Psalm 68:5](/psalm/68-5 "God, Father of the Fatherless")). Secondly, it underscores the theme of **biblical social justice**, presenting Job as an exemplar of the divine expectation to care for the vulnerable, a theme echoed throughout the Old Testament prophets (e.g., [Isaiah 1:17](/isaiah/1-17 "Seek Justice, Correct Oppression")). Thirdly, it reinforces the central question of the book: **the nature of true righteousness**. Job's friends argued for a transactional righteousness where suffering implies sin, but Job's consistent, lifelong acts of charity, even in the face of immense suffering, challenge this simplistic theology, positing a righteousness that is intrinsic and enduring, regardless of external circumstances.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **brought up (Hebrew, _gadal_):** This verb means "to grow," "to make great," "to rear," or "to nourish." In this context, it signifies Job's active role in nurturing and raising the fatherless. It implies a personal, intimate involvement in their development, not merely a distant financial donation. The phrase "brought up with me" further emphasizes this close, familial connection, suggesting they were integrated into his household and life.
* **guided (Hebrew, _nahag_):** This verb means "to lead," "to drive," "to conduct," "to provide for," or "to support." When applied to the widow, it conveys Job's active protection, provision, and direction for her. It denotes a practical, ongoing, and responsible care that ensured her well-being and security in a society where she would otherwise be highly vulnerable. It is a strong verb indicating leadership and sustained support.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"(For from my youth he was brought up with me, as [with] a father,"**: Job asserts that his care for the fatherless began in his own earliest days and was as intimate and nurturing as a father's care for his own child. The phrase "from my youth" emphasizes the long duration and consistency of this compassion, indicating it was not a recent or sporadic act, but a deeply ingrained pattern of behavior from his formative years. The "he" refers to the fatherless, and the comparison "as [with] a father" highlights the profound, personal responsibility Job took for them, treating them as his own.
* **"and I have guided her from my mother's womb;)"**: This clause extends Job's declaration of lifelong care to the widow, using a hyperbole ("from my mother's womb") to underscore the earliest possible and continuous nature of his protective and supportive actions. The "her" refers to the widow, and "guided" signifies his active role in leading, providing for, and protecting her. This vivid imagery emphasizes that his compassion was not merely an adult virtue but an intrinsic part of his character from the very beginning of his consciousness, demonstrating an extraordinary and unwavering commitment to the most vulnerable.

#### Literary Devices
Job 31:18 employs several powerful literary devices to underscore Job's profound integrity and lifelong compassion. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, particularly in the phrase "from my mother's womb." This is not meant to be taken literally, but rather to emphasize the extreme duration and deeply ingrained nature of Job's care, suggesting it was present from the earliest conceivable moment of his life. This exaggeration powerfully conveys the depth of his commitment. Additionally, the phrase "as [with] a father" functions as a **Simile** (or **Metaphor** if viewed as a direct identification), comparing Job's care for the fatherless to the most intimate and responsible form of familial protection. This highlights the personal and nurturing quality of his actions. The verse also exhibits a form of **Parallelism**, where the two clauses, though distinct, reinforce the same central idea of lifelong care for the vulnerable, with "youth" paralleling "mother's womb" and "he" (fatherless) paralleling "her" (widow), thereby amplifying the scope and consistency of Job's compassion. The entire chapter, of which this verse is a part, functions as a solemn **Oath** or **Pledge**, a legal and rhetorical device used to assert innocence and call upon divine witness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job's declaration in this verse resonates deeply with the biblical mandate for justice and compassion, demonstrating a life lived in alignment with God's own character. The Lord is consistently portrayed as the defender of the defenseless, and Job's actions mirror this divine attribute, showcasing a righteousness that is active, practical, and rooted in genuine love for humanity. His commitment to the fatherless and the widow is not just an act of charity but an embodiment of true religion, challenging the superficiality of mere ritual without compassionate action. This verse serves as a powerful testament to the kind of integrity God desires from His people—a righteousness that extends beyond personal piety to embrace social responsibility and care for the marginalized.

* [Deuteronomy 10:18](/deuteronomy/10-18 "Deuteronomy 10:18 - God's Justice for the Fatherless and Widow")
* [Psalm 68:5](/psalm/68-5 "Psalm 68:5 - God as Father to the Fatherless and Defender of Widows")
* [James 1:27](/james/1-27 "James 1:27 - Pure and Undefiled Religion")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 31:18 presents a profound challenge and inspiration for believers today. It calls us beyond a passive or theoretical faith to one that is actively engaged in the world, particularly in serving those who are most vulnerable. Job's lifelong commitment to the fatherless and the widow reminds us that true compassion is not a sporadic act of charity but a consistent, deeply ingrained posture of the heart that expresses itself in tangible, sacrificial ways. We are called to cultivate a sensitivity to the needs of the marginalized in our own communities—whether they be literal orphans and widows, or those who are socially, economically, or spiritually defenseless. This verse compels us to examine our own lives: Is our righteousness merely external, or does it flow from an intrinsic desire to reflect God's heart for justice and mercy? Like Job, our integrity is measured not just by what we avoid doing, but by the proactive good we pursue, seeking out opportunities to provide protection, provision, and guidance for those who lack it.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what practical ways can I, or my community, actively "bring up" or "guide" the vulnerable in our midst, reflecting Job's lifelong commitment?**
* **How does Job's emphasis on lifelong, intrinsic compassion challenge my own understanding and practice of charity and social justice?**
* **What specific steps can I take to identify and address the needs of the "fatherless" and "widows" (broadly defined as the marginalized and unprotected) in my sphere of influence?**

### FAQ
**Why does Job emphasize his care for the fatherless and widows specifically in his defense?**

Answer: Job emphasizes his care for the fatherless and widows because these groups were universally recognized in ancient Israelite society as the epitome of vulnerability and dependence. Their plight represented a litmus test for true righteousness and piety, as God himself is frequently depicted as their protector (e.g., [Psalm 146:9](/psalm/146-9 "The Lord Protects the Sojourners")). By highlighting his lifelong, active compassion for them, Job directly refutes the implicit accusations of his friends that he must have committed some hidden sin, particularly that of exploiting or neglecting the poor and weak. His consistent generosity and protection demonstrated that his blamelessness was not merely outward conformity but an intrinsic moral character aligned with divine justice, making his suffering all the more perplexing.

**What does the phrase "from my mother's womb" signify in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "from my mother's womb" is a powerful hyperbole, not to be taken literally, but to emphasize the earliest possible and continuous nature of Job's compassionate character. It signifies that his care for the vulnerable was not a learned behavior or a duty he took on later in life, but an inherent part of his being from the very beginning of his consciousness. It underscores the depth, consistency, and intrinsic quality of his righteousness, suggesting that compassion was a foundational aspect of his identity, present from his formative years and sustained throughout his life. This extreme expression reinforces his claim of unwavering integrity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job's profound and lifelong compassion for the fatherless and the widow stands as an exemplary model of human righteousness, it ultimately points beyond itself to the perfect and ultimate fulfillment found in Jesus Christ. Job's "fathering" and "guiding" of the vulnerable foreshadow the divine care that God, through Christ, extends to all humanity. Jesus himself embodies the ultimate protector and provider for those who are spiritually fatherless, lost, and without guidance. He declares that He came "to seek and to save the lost" ([Luke 19:10](/luke/19-10 "Luke 19:10 - Jesus Came to Seek and Save the Lost")), offering adoption into God's family to those who believe ([Galatians 4:5](/galatians/4-5 "Galatians 4:5 - Adoption as Sons")). His ministry was characterized by radical compassion for the marginalized—the sick, the poor, the outcasts, and those considered "widows" in a spiritual sense, lacking protection and provision ([Matthew 9:36](/matthew/9-36 "Matthew 9:36 - Jesus' Compassion for the Crowds")). Christ's sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate act of "guidance" and "provision," taking away the sin that separates humanity from God and ushering believers into a new relationship as children of God ([John 1:12](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - Becoming Children of God")). Thus, Job's earthly righteousness, though remarkable, serves as a shadow of the perfect, divine righteousness and boundless compassion fully realized in the person and work of Jesus, who truly "brought up" and "guided" humanity from its deepest state of spiritual vulnerability.

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.