CINXE.COM

Job 29:16 I was a father to the needy, and I took up the case of the stranger.

<!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 29:16 I was a father to the needy, and I took up the case of the stranger.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/29-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/18_Job_29_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 29:16 - Job's Former Blessings" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I was a father to the needy, and I took up the case of the stranger." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/job/29-16.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/job/29-16.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/job/">Job</a> > <a href="/job/29.htm">Chapter 29</a> > Verse 16</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad16.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/29-15.htm" title="Job 29:15">&#9668;</a> Job 29:16 <a href="/job/29-17.htm" title="Job 29:17">&#9658;</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">&nbsp;Audio&nbsp;</a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References">&nbsp;Cross&nbsp;</a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible">&nbsp;Study&nbsp;</a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary">&nbsp;Comm&nbsp;</a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon">&nbsp;Heb&nbsp;</a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/job/29.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">&nbsp; (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/job/29.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/29.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />I was a father to the poor and assisted strangers who needed help.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/29.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />I was a father to the needy, and I searched out the cause of him whom I did not know.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/29.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />I was a father to the needy, and I took up the case of the stranger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/29.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />I <i>was</i> a father to the poor: and the cause <i>which</i> I knew not I searched out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/29.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />I <i>was</i> a father to the poor, And I searched out the case <i>that</i> I did not know.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/29.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />&#8220;I was a father to the poor, And I investigated the case which I did not know.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/29.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220I was a father to the needy, And I investigated the case which I did not know.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/29.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />&#8220;I was a father to the needy, And I investigated the case which I did not know.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/29.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />I was a father to the needy, And I searched out the case which I did not know.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/29.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />&#8220;I was a father to the needy; I investigated the case I did not know [and assured justice].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/29.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I was a father to the needy, and I examined the case of the stranger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/29.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I was a father to the needy, and I examined the case of the stranger. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/29.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />I was a father to the needy: And the cause of him that I knew not I searched out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/29.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I was a father to the needy, and I defended them in court, even if they were strangers. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/29.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />I was a father to the needy: and the cause of him that I knew not I searched out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/29.htm">GOD'S WORD&reg; Translation</a></span><br />I was father to the needy. I carefully investigated cases brought by strangers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/29.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I was like a father to the poor and took the side of strangers in trouble. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/29.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />I was a father to the needy; I diligently inquired into the case of those I didn't know.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/29.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />I was a father to the needy, and I took up the case of the stranger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/29.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />I was a father to the needy, and I investigated the case of the person I did not know; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/29.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />I was a father to the needy. The cause of him who I did not know, I searched out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/29.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/29.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />I was a father to the needy. I researched the cause of him whom I didn&#8217;t know. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/29.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />I [am] a father to the needy, "" And the cause I have not known I search out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/29.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> A father I am to the needy, And the cause I have not known I search out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/29.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />I was a father to the needy, and the contention I knew not I shall search it out.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/29.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />I was the father of the poor: and the cause which I knew not, I searched out most diligently. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/29.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />I was the father of the poor; and if I lacked knowledge about any case, I investigated very diligently.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/29.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />I was a father to the poor; the complaint of the stranger I pursued, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/29.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />I was a father to the needy, and I championed the cause of the stranger.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/29.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />I was a father to the poor; and the cause which I knew not I searched out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/29.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />I was a father to the afflicted, and judgment that I had not known I searched out<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/29.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />I was a father to the needy; And the cause of him that I knew not I searched out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/29.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />I was the father of the helpless; and I searched out the cause which I knew not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/29-16.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=4328" 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/29.htm">Job's Former Blessings</a></span><br>&#8230;<span class="reftext">15</span>I served as eyes to the blind and as feet to the lame. <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/595.htm" title="595: &#8217;&#257;&#183;n&#333;&#183;&#7733;&#238; (Pro-1cs) -- I. Sometimes; a primitive pro. I.">I</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: &#8217;&#257;&#7687; (N-ms) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">was a father</a> <a href="/hebrew/34.htm" title="34: l&#257;&#183;&#8217;e&#7687;&#183;y&#333;&#183;w&#183;n&#238;m (Prep-l, Art:: N-mp) -- In want, needy, poor. From 'abah, in the sense of want; destitute.">to the needy,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2713.htm" title="2713: &#8217;e&#7717;&#183;q&#601;&#183;r&#234;&#183;h&#363; (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs:: 3ms) -- To search. A primitive root; properly, to penetrate; hence, to examine intimately.">and I took up</a> <a href="/hebrew/7379.htm" title="7379: w&#601;&#183;ri&#7687; (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Strife, dispute. Or rib; from riyb; a contest.">the case</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: l&#333;- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">of the stranger.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: y&#257;&#183;&#7695;a&#8216;&#183;t&#238; (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially."></a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>I shattered the fangs of the unjust and snatched the prey from his teeth.&#8230;<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> &middot; <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="/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.&#8221;<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="/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="/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="/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.&#8217; / Then the righteous will answer Him, &#8216;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="/isaiah/58-6.htm">Isaiah 58:6-7</a></span><br />Isn&#8217;t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke? / Isn&#8217;t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/2-10.htm">Galatians 2:10</a></span><br />They only asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/10-18.htm">Deuteronomy 10:18</a></span><br />He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/4-18.htm">Luke 4:18-19</a></span><br />&#8220;The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, / to proclaim the year of the Lord&#8217;s favor.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/22-16.htm">Jeremiah 22:16</a></span><br />He took up the cause of the poor and needy, and so it went well with him. Is this not what it means to know Me?&#8221; declares the LORD.<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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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="/acts/20-35.htm">Acts 20:35</a></span><br />In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: &#8216;It is more blessed to give than to receive.&#8217;&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/7-9.htm">Zechariah 7:9-10</a></span><br />&#8220;This is what the LORD of Hosts says: &#8216;Administer true justice. Show loving devotion and compassion to one another. / Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.&#8217;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/15-1.htm">Romans 15:1-2</a></span><br />We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves. / Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out.</p><p class="hdg">a father</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/31-18.htm">Job 31:18</a></b></br> (For from my youth he was brought up with me, as <i>with</i> a father, and I have guided her from my mother's womb;)</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/esther/2-7.htm">Esther 2:7</a></b></br> And he brought up Hadassah, that <i>is</i>, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid <i>was</i> fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/68-5.htm">Psalm 68:5</a></b></br> A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, <i>is</i> God in his holy habitation.</p><p class="hdg">the cause</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/18-26.htm">Exodus 18:26</a></b></br> And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/13-14.htm">Deuteronomy 13:14</a></b></br> Then shalt thou inquire, and make search, and ask diligently; and, behold, <i>if it be</i> truth, <i>and</i> the thing certain, <i>that</i> such abomination is wrought among you;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/17-8.htm">Deuteronomy 17:8-10</a></b></br> If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, <i>being</i> matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose; &#8230; </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/23-7.htm">Case</a> <a href="/job/29-13.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/job/5-27.htm">Investigated</a> <a href="/job/24-14.htm">Needy</a> <a href="/job/29-12.htm">Poor</a> <a href="/job/28-3.htm">Search</a> <a href="/job/28-27.htm">Searched</a> <a href="/job/28-27.htm">Searching</a> <a href="/job/19-27.htm">Strange</a> <a href="/job/19-27.htm">Stranger</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/35-14.htm">Case</a> <a href="/job/29-24.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/luke/1-3.htm">Investigated</a> <a href="/job/30-25.htm">Needy</a> <a href="/job/30-24.htm">Poor</a> <a href="/job/32-11.htm">Search</a> <a href="/job/32-11.htm">Searched</a> <a href="/job/32-11.htm">Searching</a> <a href="/job/31-3.htm">Strange</a> <a href="/job/31-32.htm">Stranger</a><div class="vheading2">Job 29</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/29-1.htm">Job bemoans his former prosperity</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 /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <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/29.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book&nbsp;&#9702;</a>&nbsp;<a href="/study/chapters/job/29.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter&nbsp;</a></tr></table></div><b>I was a father to the needy</b><br>This phrase highlights Job's role as a protector and provider for those in need. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a "father" was not only a biological parent but also a figure of authority and care. Job's actions reflect the biblical principle of caring for the poor and vulnerable, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/19-17.htm">Proverbs 19:17</a>, which states that kindness to the poor is akin to lending to the Lord. This role of a father to the needy can be seen as a type of Christ, who is described in <a href="/isaiah/9-6.htm">Isaiah 9:6</a> as the "Everlasting Father" and who demonstrated compassion for the marginalized during His earthly ministry.<p><b>and I took up the case of the stranger</b><br>In the ancient world, strangers or sojourners were often without legal rights or protection, making them vulnerable to exploitation. Job's advocacy for the stranger aligns with the Mosaic Law, which commanded the Israelites to treat foreigners with justice and compassion (<a href="/exodus/22-21.htm">Exodus 22:21</a>, <a href="/leviticus/19-34.htm">Leviticus 19:34</a>). This reflects God's heart for justice and His desire for His people to act righteously. The phrase also foreshadows the New Testament teaching in <a href="/hebrews/13-2.htm">Hebrews 13:2</a>, which encourages believers to show hospitality to strangers, echoing the inclusive love of Christ.<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 was a wealthy and respected figure in his community, known for his righteousness and justice.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_needy.htm">The Needy</a></b><br>Individuals in society who lack basic necessities and require assistance. Job refers to himself as a "father" to these individuals, indicating his role as a protector and provider.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_stranger.htm">The Stranger</a></b><br>A person who is not native to the community, often lacking social support and legal rights. Job's advocacy for the stranger highlights his commitment to justice and hospitality.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/u/uz.htm">Uz</a></b><br>The land where Job lived, a place of prosperity but also of great trials for Job.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/job's_friends.htm">Job's Friends</a></b><br>Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who visit Job during his suffering and engage in dialogues about the nature of his afflictions and righteousness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/c/compassionate_leadership.htm">Compassionate Leadership</a></b><br>Job exemplifies a leader who uses his influence to care for the vulnerable. Believers are called to emulate this by being advocates for those in need within their communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/j/justice_and_advocacy.htm">Justice and Advocacy</a></b><br>Job's actions remind us of the biblical mandate to seek justice and defend the rights of the marginalized. Christians should actively engage in social justice issues, reflecting God's heart for the oppressed.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hospitality_to_strangers.htm">Hospitality to Strangers</a></b><br>Job's defense of the stranger challenges us to extend hospitality and kindness to those who are different from us, reflecting the inclusive love of Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/role_of_a_spiritual_father.htm">Role of a Spiritual Father</a></b><br>Being a "father" to the needy involves more than providing material support; it includes offering guidance, protection, and spiritual mentorship.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_29.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 29</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_bible_teachings_cover_empathy.htm">What biblical teachings address empathy?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_bible's_view_on_social_action.htm">What does the Bible say about social action?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_job_14_1-2_conflict_with_promises.htm">Does Job 14:1-2's portrayal of life as short and full of trouble conflict with biblical passages that promise long life and blessings?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/meaning_of_'kingdom_suffers_violence'.htm">What are the YMCA and YWCA organizations?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/29.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">I was a father to the poor</span> (comp. ver. 12, and see below, ch. 31:16-22): <span class="cmt_word">and the cause which I knew not I searched out</span>; rather, <span class="accented">the cause of him that</span> I <span class="accented">knew not</span> I searched out (see the Revised Version). When men were quite unknown to him, Job still gave to their causes the utmost possible attention, "searching them out," or investigating them, as diligently as if they had been the causes of his own friends. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/29-16.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">I</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1488;&#1464;&#1453;&#1504;&#1465;&#1499;&#1460;&#1469;&#1497;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8217;&#257;&#183;n&#333;&#183;&#7733;&#238;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_595.htm">Strong's 595: </a> </span><span class="str2">I</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was a father</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1488;&#1464;&#1443;&#1489;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8217;&#257;&#7687;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the needy,</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1500;&#1464;&#1469;&#1488;&#1462;&#1489;&#1456;&#1497;&#1493;&#1465;&#1504;&#1460;&#1425;&#1497;&#1501;</span> <span class="translit">(l&#257;&#183;&#8217;e&#7687;&#183;y&#333;&#183;w&#183;n&#238;m)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article &#124; Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_34.htm">Strong's 34: </a> </span><span class="str2">In want, needy, poor</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and I took up</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1488;&#1462;&#1495;&#1456;&#1511;&#1456;&#1512;&#1461;&#1469;&#1492;&#1493;&#1468;&#1475;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8217;e&#7717;&#183;q&#601;&#183;r&#234;&#183;h&#363;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular &#124; third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2713.htm">Strong's 2713: </a> </span><span class="str2">To penetrate, to examine intimately</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the case</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1493;&#1456;&#1512;&#1460;&#1430;&#1489;</span> <span class="translit">(w&#601;&#183;ri&#7687;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw &#124; Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7379.htm">Strong's 7379: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strife, dispute</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the stranger.</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1500;&#1465;&#1488;&#1470;</span> <span class="translit">(l&#333;-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/29-16.htm">Job 29:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/29-16.htm">Job 29:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/29-16.htm">Job 29:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/29-16.htm">Job 29:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/29-16.htm">Job 29:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/29-16.htm">Job 29:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/29-16.htm">Job 29:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/29-16.htm">Job 29:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/29-16.htm">Job 29:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/29-16.htm">Job 29:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/29-16.htm">OT Poetry: Job 29:16 I was a father to the needy (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/29-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 29:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 29:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/29-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 29:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 29:17" /></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>

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10