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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 31:21 if I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless because I saw that I had support in the gate,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/31-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/18_Job_31_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 31:21 - Job's Final Appeal" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="if I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless because I saw that I had support in the gate," /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.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/31-20.htm" title="Job 31:20">◄</a> Job 31:21 <a href="/job/31-22.htm" title="Job 31:22">►</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 />if I have raised my hand against the fatherless, knowing that I had influence in court,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/31.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“If I raised my hand against an orphan, knowing the judges would take my side,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/31.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />if I have raised my hand against the fatherless, because I saw my help in the gate,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/31.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />if I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless because I saw that I had support in the gate,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/31.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate:<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 raised my hand against the fatherless, When I saw I had help in the gate;<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 lifted up my hand against the orphan, Because I saw I had support in the gate,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/31.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />If I have lifted up my hand against the orphan, Because I saw I had support in the gate,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/31.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />If I have lifted up my hand against the orphan, Because I saw I had support in the gate,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/31.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />If I have waved my hand against the orphan Because I saw my help in the gate,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/31.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />If I have lifted my hand against the orphan, Because I saw [that the judges would be] my help at the [council] gate,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/31.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />if I ever cast my vote against a fatherless child when I saw that I had support in the city gate,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/31.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />if I ever cast my vote against a fatherless child when I saw that I had support in the city gate, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/31.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, Because I saw my help in the gate:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/31.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If I have ever raised my arm to threaten an orphan when the power was mine, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/31.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, because I saw my help in the gate:<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 shaken my fist at an orphan because I knew that others would back me up in court,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/31.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />If I have ever cheated an orphan, knowing I could win in court, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/31.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />if I've raised my hand against an orphan when I thought I would against him in court, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/31.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />if I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless because I saw that I had support in the gate,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/31.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />if I have raised my hand to vote against the orphan, when I saw my support in the court, <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 lifted up my hand against the fatherless, because I saw my help in the gate,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/31.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/31.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />if I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, because I saw my help in the gate; <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 have waved my hand at the fatherless, "" When I see [him] in the gate of my court,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/31.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> If I have waved at the fatherless my hand, When I see in him the gate of my court,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/31.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />If I lifted up my hand against the orphan when I shall see, my help in the gate:<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 lifted up my hand against the fatherless, even when I saw myself superior in the gate: <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 lifted up my hand over an orphan, even when it might seem to me that I the advantage over him at the gate;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/31.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />If I have raised my hand against the innocent because I saw that I had supporters at the gate— <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 raised my hand against the orphan, because I saw I had supporters at the gate;<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 lifted up my hand against the fatherless (when I saw him at the door I helped him);<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 lifted my hands against the orphan, (but whenever I saw him at the door I helped him)<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 have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, Because I saw my help in the gate;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/31.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />if I lifted my hand against an orphan, trusting that my strength was far superior <i>to his</i>:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/31-21.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=4707" 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">20</span>if his heart has not blessed me for warming him with the fleece of my sheep, <span class="reftext">21</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/5130.htm" title="5130: hă·nî·p̄ō·w·ṯî (V-Hifil-Perf-1cs) -- To move to and fro, wave, sprinkle. A primitive root; to quiver; used in a great variety of applications.">I have lifted</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: yā·ḏî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">up my hand</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">against</a> <a href="/hebrew/3490.htm" title="3490: yā·ṯō·wm (N-ms) -- An orphan. From an unused root meaning to be lonely; a bereaved person.">the fatherless</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">because</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: ’er·’eh (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">I saw</a> <a href="/hebrew/5833.htm" title="5833: ‘ez·rā·ṯî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- Help, helper, assistance. Or mezrath; feminine of ezer; aid.">that I had support</a> <a href="/hebrew/8179.htm" title="8179: ḇaš·ša·‘ar (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- A gate. From sha'ar in its original sense; an opening, i.e. Door or gate.">in the gate,</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>then may my arm fall from my shoulder and be torn from its socket.…<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="/exodus/22-22.htm">Exodus 22:22-24</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/27-19.htm">Deuteronomy 27:19</a></span><br />‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Isaiah 1:17</a></span><br />Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/22-3.htm">Jeremiah 22:3</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/7-10.htm">Zechariah 7:10</a></span><br />Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/31-8.htm">Proverbs 31:8-9</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/82-3.htm">Psalm 82:3-4</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/10-14.htm">Psalm 10:14</a></span><br />But You have regarded trouble and grief; You see to repay it by Your hand. The victim entrusts himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/68-5.htm">Psalm 68:5</a></span><br />A father of the fatherless and a defender of widows is God in His holy habitation.<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="/james/1-27.htm">James 1:27</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-35.htm">Matthew 25:35-40</a></span><br />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? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/18-1.htm">Luke 18:1-8</a></span><br />Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart: / “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected men. / And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/6-9.htm">Galatians 6:9-10</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-17.htm">1 John 3:17-18</a></span><br />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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate:</p><p class="hdg">lifted</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/6-27.htm">Job 6:27</a></b></br> Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig <i>a pit</i> for your friend.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/22-9.htm">Job 22:9</a></b></br> Thou hast sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/24-9.htm">Job 24:9</a></b></br> They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge of the poor.</p><p class="hdg">when</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/micah/2-1.htm">Micah 2:1,2</a></b></br> Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/micah/7-3.htm">Micah 7:3</a></b></br> That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge <i>asketh</i> for a reward; and the great <i>man</i>, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/11-19.htm">Court</a> <a href="/job/31-17.htm">Fatherless</a> <a href="/job/29-7.htm">Gate</a> <a href="/job/30-24.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/job/31-16.htm">Help</a> <a href="/james/5-16.htm">Influence</a> <a href="/job/31-11.htm">Judges</a> <a href="/job/22-29.htm">Lifted</a> <a href="/job/31-17.htm">Orphan</a> <a href="/job/14-12.htm">Raised</a> <a href="/job/24-23.htm">Support</a> <a href="/job/24-23.htm">Supported</a> <a href="/numbers/18-18.htm">Waved</a> <a href="/job/31-13.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/45-12.htm">Court</a> <a href="/psalms/10-14.htm">Fatherless</a> <a href="/psalms/69-12.htm">Gate</a> <a href="/job/31-25.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/job/35-9.htm">Help</a> <a href="/daniel/8-25.htm">Influence</a> <a href="/job/31-28.htm">Judges</a> <a href="/job/31-29.htm">Lifted</a> <a href="/psalms/10-18.htm">Orphan</a> <a href="/psalms/20-8.htm">Raised</a> <a href="/psalms/3-5.htm">Support</a> <a href="/psalms/18-35.htm">Supported</a> <a href="/acts/22-23.htm">Waved</a> <a href="/job/32-3.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 lifted up my hand against the fatherless</b><br>This phrase suggests an act of aggression or injustice towards orphans, who were among the most vulnerable in ancient society. The Bible frequently emphasizes the importance of caring for orphans and widows (<a href="/exodus/22-22.htm">Exodus 22:22</a>, <a href="/james/1-27.htm">James 1:27</a>). Job's assertion here is part of his defense of his righteousness, indicating that he has not committed such an injustice. In the cultural context of the Ancient Near East, the fatherless were often without protection or legal standing, making them easy targets for exploitation. Job's claim reflects the biblical principle of justice and mercy, which is a recurring theme throughout Scripture (<a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Isaiah 1:17</a>).<p><b>because I saw that I had support in the gate</b><br>The "gate" refers to the city gate, which was the place where legal matters were settled and where elders and leaders of the community gathered (<a href="/ruth/4.htm">Ruth 4:1-11</a>, <a href="/proverbs/31-23.htm">Proverbs 31:23</a>). Having "support in the gate" implies having influence or backing from the community leaders, which could be used to one's advantage in legal disputes. Job is asserting that he did not exploit his social standing or influence to harm the fatherless. This reflects the biblical call to use one's power and influence for justice and righteousness, rather than for personal gain (<a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a>). The mention of the gate also highlights the importance of integrity and fairness in public and legal matters, a theme that resonates throughout the wisdom literature of the Bible.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>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.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_fatherless.htm">The Fatherless</a></b><br>Refers to orphans or those without parental support, often seen as vulnerable and in need of protection in biblical times.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_gate.htm">The Gate</a></b><br>In ancient cities, the gate was a place of legal transactions, judgment, and public affairs. It was where elders and leaders gathered to make decisions.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/i/integrity_in_power.htm">Integrity in Power</a></b><br>Job's statement reflects his commitment to using his influence justly, even when he had the power to act otherwise. Believers are called to exercise integrity, especially when in positions of authority.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/compassion_for_the_vulnerable.htm">Compassion for the Vulnerable</a></b><br>The fatherless represent those who are most vulnerable in society. Christians are encouraged to show compassion and provide support to those in need, following Job's example.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/accountability_in_community.htm">Accountability in Community</a></b><br>The reference to "the gate" suggests a public setting where actions are observed and judged. Believers should live transparently and be accountable to their communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/avoiding_abuse_of_power.htm">Avoiding Abuse of Power</a></b><br>Job's refusal to exploit his position for personal gain serves as a reminder to avoid abusing power or influence, especially at the expense of the vulnerable.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reflecting_god's_character.htm">Reflecting God's Character</a></b><br>By caring for the fatherless, Job reflects God's own character of justice and mercy. Christians are called to mirror these attributes in their daily lives.<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/evidence_for_wisdom's_public_call_in_israel.htm">If wisdom is portrayed as calling out in public (Proverbs 1:20-21), what historical or archaeological evidence supports such personification in ancient Israel?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_job_21_29-31_admire_the_wicked.htm">In Job 21:29-31, why does the community seem to uphold or admire the wicked instead of condemning them, and how does this align with other biblical portrayals of evildoers?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_reconcile_psalm_41_11_with_defeat.htm">If Psalm 41:11 suggests triumph over enemies is evidence of God's favor, how can it be reconciled with godly individuals who appear to be defeated?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_the_wicked_thrive_and_righteous_suffer.htm">In Job 36:6-7, where it states the righteous are exalted while the wicked are cut off, why do wicked individuals often thrive, and the righteous sometimes suffer?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/31.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless</span>; i.e. if I have in any way oppressed him. <span class="cmt_word">When I saw my help in the gate</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span>. when I had the power to do so - when I saw my friends and hangers-on mustered in force at the gate where causes were being tried. The wrong and robbery which the poor suffer in the East have always been camel, to a large extent, by failure of justice in the courts, where might, and not right, carries the day. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/31-21.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 lifted</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲנִיפ֣וֹתִי</span> <span class="translit">(hă·nî·p̄ō·w·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5130.htm">Strong's 5130: </a> </span><span class="str2">To move to and fro, wave, sprinkle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">up my hand</span><br /><span class="heb">יָדִ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḏî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the fatherless</span><br /><span class="heb">יָת֣וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ṯō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3490.htm">Strong's 3490: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bereaved person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">because</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I saw</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶרְאֶ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(’er·’eh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that I had support</span><br /><span class="heb">עֶזְרָתִֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘ez·rā·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5833.htm">Strong's 5833: </a> </span><span class="str2">Help, helper, assistance</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the gate,</span><br /><span class="heb">בַ֝שַּׁ֗עַר</span> <span class="translit">(ḇaš·ša·‘ar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8179.htm">Strong's 8179: </a> </span><span class="str2">An opening, door, gate</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/31-21.htm">Job 31:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/31-21.htm">Job 31:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/31-21.htm">Job 31:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/31-21.htm">Job 31:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/31-21.htm">Job 31:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/31-21.htm">Job 31:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/31-21.htm">Job 31:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/31-21.htm">Job 31:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/31-21.htm">Job 31:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/31-21.htm">Job 31:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/31-21.htm">OT Poetry: Job 31:21 If I have lifted up my hand (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/31-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 31:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 31:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/31-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 31:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 31:22" /></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>