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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Job 31:13 If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or maidservant when they made a complaint against me,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/31-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/18_Job_31_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 31:13 - Job's Final Appeal" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or maidservant when they made a complaint against me," /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad13.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/job/31-12.htm" title="Job 31:12">◄</a> Job 31:13 <a href="/job/31-14.htm" title="Job 31:14">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/job/31.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/job/31.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220If I have denied justice to any of my servants, whether male or female, when they had a grievance against me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/31.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“If I have been unfair to my male or female servants when they brought their complaints to me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/31.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or my maidservant, when they brought a complaint against me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/31.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or maidservant when they made a complaint against me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/31.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/31.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“If I have despised the cause of my male or female servant When they complained against me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/31.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“If I have rejected the claim of my male or female slaves When they filed a complaint against me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/31.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220If I have despised the claim of my male or female slaves When they filed a complaint against me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/31.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“If I have despised the claim of my male or female slaves When they filed a complaint against me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/31.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“If I have rejected the justice of my male or female slaves When they filed a complaint against me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/31.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“If I have despised <i>and</i> rejected the claim of my male or female servants When they filed a complaint against me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/31.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If I have dismissed the case of my male or female servants when they made a complaint against me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/31.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If I have dismissed the case of my male or female servants when they made a complaint against me, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/31.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />If I have despised the cause of my man-servant or of my maid-servant, When they contended with me;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/31.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />When my servants complained against me, I was fair to them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/31.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/31.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"If I have abused the rights of my servants, male or female, when they have disagreed with me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/31.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />When any of my servants complained against me, I would listen and treat them fairly. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/31.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"If I've refused to help my male and female servants when they complain against me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/31.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or maidservant when they made a complaint against me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/31.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"If I have disregarded the right of my male servants or my female servants when they disputed with me, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/31.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"If I have despised the cause of my male servant or of my female servant, when they contended with me;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/31.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />If I despised the cause of my man-servant or of my maid-servant, when they contended with me;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/31.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“If I have despised the cause of my male servant or of my female servant, when they contended with me, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/31.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />If I despise the cause of my manservant, "" And of my handmaid, "" In their contending with me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/31.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> If I despise the cause of my man-servant, And of my handmaid, In their contending with me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/31.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />If I shall despise the judgment of my servant and my maid in their contending with me;<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/31.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />If I have despised to abide judgment with my manservant, or my maidservant, when they had any controversy against me: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/31.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />If I have despised being subject to judgment with my servant or my maid, when they had any complaint against me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/31.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Had I refused justice to my manservant or to my maidservant, when they had a complaint against me, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/31.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“If I have rejected the cause of my male or female slaves, when they brought a complaint against me;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/31.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or my maidservant, when he contended with me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/31.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />If I have despised the justice of my Servants or of my Maidservants when they have been contending with me<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/31.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />If I did despise the cause of my man-servant, Or of my maid-servant, when they contended with me--<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/31.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And if too I despised the judgment of my servant or <i>my</i> handmaid, when they pleaded with me;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/31-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XAwuD5NuZq0?start=4658" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/job/31.htm">Job's Final Appeal</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">12</span>For it is a fire that burns down to Abaddon; it would root out my entire harvest. <span class="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">If</a> <a href="/hebrew/3988.htm" title="3988: ’em·’as (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To spurn, to disappear. A primitive root; to spurn; also to disappear.">I have rejected</a> <a href="/hebrew/4941.htm" title="4941: miš·paṭ (N-msc) -- Judgment. ">the cause</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘aḇ·dî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">of my manservant</a> <a href="/hebrew/519.htm" title="519: wa·’ă·mā·ṯî (Conj-w:: N-fsc:: 1cs) -- A maid, handmaid. Apparently a primitive word; a maid-servant or female slave.">or maidservant</a> <a href="/hebrew/7379.htm" title="7379: bə·ri·ḇām (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 3mp) -- Strife, dispute. Or rib; from riyb; a contest.">when they made a complaint</a> <a href="/hebrew/5978.htm" title="5978: ‘im·mā·ḏî (Prep:: 1cs) -- Along with, against, by, from">against me,</a> </span><span class="reftext">14</span>what will I do when God rises to judge? How will I answer when called to account?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/5-4.htm">James 5:4</a></span><br />Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/4-1.htm">Colossians 4:1</a></span><br />Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/6-9.htm">Ephesians 6:9</a></span><br />And masters, do the same for your slaves. Give up your use of threats, because you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/24-14.htm">Deuteronomy 24:14-15</a></span><br />Do not oppress a hired hand who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. / You are to pay his wages each day before sunset, because he is poor and depends on them. Otherwise he may cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/3-5.htm">Malachi 3:5</a></span><br />“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/14-31.htm">Proverbs 14:31</a></span><br />Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/22-22.htm">Proverbs 22:22-23</a></span><br />Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate, / for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/58-3.htm">Isaiah 58:3</a></span><br />“Why have we fasted, and You have not seen? Why have we humbled ourselves, and You have not noticed?” “Behold, on the day of your fast, you do as you please, and you oppress all your workers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/19-13.htm">Leviticus 19:13</a></span><br />You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him. You must not withhold until morning the wages due a hired hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/22-13.htm">Jeremiah 22:13</a></span><br />“Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, and his upper rooms without justice, who makes his countrymen serve without pay, and fails to pay their wages,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/21-20.htm">Exodus 21:20-21</a></span><br />If a man strikes his manservant or maidservant with a rod, and the servant dies by his hand, he shall surely be punished. / However, if the servant gets up after a day or two, the owner shall not be punished, since the servant is his property.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/3-14.htm">Luke 3:14</a></span><br />Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” “Do not take money by force or false accusation,” he said. “Be content with your wages.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-12.htm">Matthew 7:12</a></span><br />In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-40.htm">Matthew 25:40</a></span><br />And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/6-1.htm">1 Timothy 6:1-2</a></span><br />All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as fully worthy of honor, so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited. / Those who have believing masters should not show disrespect because they are brothers, but should serve them all the more, since those receiving their good service are beloved believers. Teach and encourage these principles.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me;</p><p class="hdg">the cause</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/21-20.htm">Exodus 21:20,21,26,27</a></b></br> And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/25-43.htm">Leviticus 25:43,46</a></b></br> Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour; but shalt fear thy God… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/15-12.htm">Deuteronomy 15:12-15</a></b></br> <i>And</i> if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/7-2.htm">Bondman</a> <a href="/job/30-22.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/job/3-5.htm">Claim</a> <a href="/job/23-2.htm">Complaint</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-25.htm">Contended</a> <a href="/job/16-21.htm">Contending</a> <a href="/job/27-2.htm">Denied</a> <a href="/job/19-18.htm">Despise</a> <a href="/job/19-18.htm">Despised</a> <a href="/job/1-3.htm">Female</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-16.htm">Handmaid</a> <a href="/job/29-14.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/job/9-19.htm">Law</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-16.htm">Maidservant</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-2.htm">Maid-Servant</a> <a href="/job/19-15.htm">Maidservants</a> <a href="/esther/7-4.htm">Male</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-14.htm">Manservant</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-14.htm">Man-Servant</a> <a href="/ezra/2-65.htm">Menservants</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/11-14.htm">Rejected</a> <a href="/job/19-16.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/esther/7-4.htm">Slaves</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-14.htm">Woman-Servant</a> <a href="/job/31-3.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/41-4.htm">Bondman</a> <a href="/job/32-8.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/job/41-11.htm">Claim</a> <a href="/job/33-19.htm">Complaint</a> <a href="/isaiah/27-8.htm">Contended</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-19.htm">Contending</a> <a href="/job/31-16.htm">Denied</a> <a href="/job/36-5.htm">Despise</a> <a href="/psalms/10-13.htm">Despised</a> <a href="/job/42-12.htm">Female</a> <a href="/psalms/86-16.htm">Handmaid</a> <a href="/job/32-9.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/psalms/1-2.htm">Law</a> <a href="/psalms/86-16.htm">Maidservant</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-23.htm">Maid-Servant</a> <a href="/joel/2-29.htm">Maidservants</a> <a href="/job/36-14.htm">Male</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-9.htm">Manservant</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-9.htm">Man-Servant</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-2.htm">Menservants</a> <a href="/job/34-33.htm">Rejected</a> <a href="/job/39-9.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/psalms/123-2.htm">Slaves</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-2.htm">Woman-Servant</a> <a href="/job/31-21.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Job 31</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/31-1.htm">Job makes a solemn protestation of his integrity in several duties</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/31.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/job/31.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or maidservant</b><br>This phrase highlights Job's concern for justice and fairness, reflecting the biblical principle of treating servants with dignity and respect. In the ancient Near Eastern context, servants were often vulnerable to mistreatment. The Mosaic Law provided protections for servants (<a href="/exodus/21.htm">Exodus 21:1-11</a>), emphasizing fair treatment. Job's statement aligns with these laws, showing his adherence to God's standards. This concern for justice is echoed in the New Testament, where masters are instructed to treat their servants justly (<a href="/ephesians/6-9.htm">Ephesians 6:9</a>, <a href="/colossians/4.htm">Colossians 4:1</a>).<p><b>when they made a complaint against me</b><br>Job acknowledges the right of his servants to bring grievances, which was not commonly recognized in ancient cultures. This reflects a progressive view of servant-master relationships, emphasizing accountability and the importance of hearing and addressing complaints. The biblical narrative often highlights God's concern for the oppressed and marginalized (<a href="/proverbs/31-8.htm">Proverbs 31:8-9</a>, <a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Isaiah 1:17</a>). Job's willingness to listen to complaints prefigures Christ's teaching on humility and servanthood (<a href="/mark/10-42.htm">Mark 10:42-45</a>), where leaders are called to serve others and address their needs compassionately.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>A wealthy and righteous man from the land of Uz, known for his patience and faithfulness amidst severe trials.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/manservant_and_maidservant.htm">Manservant and Maidservant</a></b><br>Servants in Job's household, representing those under his authority and care.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/complaint.htm">Complaint</a></b><br>A grievance or accusation brought by the servants against Job, highlighting issues of justice and fairness in relationships.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/j/justice_and_fairness.htm">Justice and Fairness</a></b><br>Job's statement reflects a commitment to justice and fairness, even towards those in subordinate positions. As Christians, we are called to treat everyone with equity and respect, recognizing their inherent dignity.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/accountability_to_god.htm">Accountability to God</a></b><br>Job acknowledges that he is accountable to God for how he treats others. This serves as a reminder that our actions towards others are ultimately seen and judged by God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/listening_to_complaints.htm">Listening to Complaints</a></b><br>Job's willingness to hear complaints from his servants demonstrates humility and openness. We should be willing to listen to grievances and address them justly.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/servant_leadership.htm">Servant Leadership</a></b><br>Job exemplifies servant leadership by considering the needs and rights of those under his care. As leaders, we should prioritize the well-being of those we lead.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/integrity_in_relationships.htm">Integrity in Relationships</a></b><br>Maintaining integrity in all relationships, especially with those who may be vulnerable or dependent on us, is crucial for a life that honors God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_31.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 31</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_job_31_13-15_view_servant_treatment.htm">In Job 31:13–15, how does Job’s stance on treating servants align with what we know of ancient slavery practices and laws? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_job_31_curses_compare_to_nt_mercy.htm">How do Job’s self-imposed curses in Job 31 compare with New Testament passages emphasizing mercy and forgiveness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_can_job_claim_purity_in_job_31_1-4.htm">In Job 31:1–4, how can Job claim such purity given other scriptures teach no one is entirely sinless? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_plead_for_godand#8217;s_attention_in_psalm_13_2.htm">Why does the psalmist plead for God's attention in Psalm 13:2 if other biblical texts claim God never abandons the faithful?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/job/31.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13) <span class= "bld">If I did despise.</span>--In <a href="/job/22-8.htm" title="But as for the mighty man, he had the earth; and the honorable man dwelled in it.">Job 22:8</a>, Eliphaz had insinuated that Job had favoured the rich and powerful, but had oppressed and ground down the weak. He now meets this accusation, and affirms that he had regarded his own servants even as brethren, because partakers of a common humanity.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/31.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 13.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant.</span> Job now disclaims a fourth sin - the oppression of his dependants. Eliphaz had taxed him generally with harshness and cruelty in his relations towards those weaker than himself (<a href="/job/22-5.htm">Job 22:5-9</a>), but had not specially pointed to this kind of oppressiveness. As, however, this was the commonest form of the vice, Job deems it right to disclaim it, before addressing himself to the several charges brought by Eliphaz. He has <span class="accented">not</span> ill used his slaves, either male or female. He has not "despised their cause," but given it full consideration and attention; he has heard them when they contended with him; he has allowed them to "contend;" he has been a just, and not a hard master. The slavery of which he speaks is evidently of a kind under which the slave had certain rights, as was the case also under the Mosaic Law (<a href="/exodus/21-2.htm">Exodus 21:2-11</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/31-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">If</span><br /><span class="heb">אִם־</span> <span class="translit">(’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I have rejected</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶמְאַ֗ס</span> <span class="translit">(’em·’as)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3988.htm">Strong's 3988: </a> </span><span class="str2">To spurn, to disappear</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the cause</span><br /><span class="heb">מִשְׁפַּ֣ט</span> <span class="translit">(miš·paṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4941.htm">Strong's 4941: </a> </span><span class="str2">A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of my manservant</span><br /><span class="heb">עַ֭בְדִּי</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḇ·dî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Slave, servant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or maidservant</span><br /><span class="heb">וַאֲמָתִ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(wa·’ă·mā·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_519.htm">Strong's 519: </a> </span><span class="str2">A maidservant, female slave</span><br /><br /><span class="word">when they made a complaint</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּ֝רִבָ֗ם</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ri·ḇām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7378.htm">Strong's 7378: </a> </span><span class="str2">To toss, grapple, to wrangle, controversy, to defend</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against me,</span><br /><span class="heb">עִמָּדִֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘im·mā·ḏî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5978.htm">Strong's 5978: </a> </span><span class="str2">Against, by, from, me, mine, of, that I take, unto, </span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/31-13.htm">Job 31:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/31-13.htm">Job 31:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/31-13.htm">Job 31:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/31-13.htm">Job 31:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/31-13.htm">Job 31:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/31-13.htm">Job 31:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/31-13.htm">Job 31:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/31-13.htm">Job 31:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/31-13.htm">Job 31:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/31-13.htm">Job 31:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/31-13.htm">OT Poetry: Job 31:13 If I have despised the cause (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/31-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 31:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 31:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/31-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 31:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 31:14" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>