Bible Strands
Job 31:17
if I have eaten my morsel alone, not sharing it with the fatherless—
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Job speaks to God in a formal oath of innocence, cataloging his household conduct to prove his integrity. He addresses the divine court as the head of his family, listing specific daily failures he refuses to commit.
The words — The phrase וְ/אֹכַ֣ל לְ/בַדִּ֑י (ve./'o.Khal le./va.D/i) literally translates "and I may eat to/alone me," stressing solitary consumption. It directly precedes יָת֣וֹם (ya.Tom), meaning "a fatherless one," identifying the excluded recipient.
The thread — The text's concern over withholding food matches Deuteronomy 15:11 and Deuteronomy 15:14, which command open-handed provision for the poor, and Nehemiah 8:10, which instructs sending portions to those who have nothing.
Why it lands — The verse states that solitary eating while ignoring the fatherless constitutes a moral failure. It requires the reader to audit personal consumption habits and deliberately divert resources to those lacking family support.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof;
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 15:11 For there will never cease to be poor in the land; that is why I am commanding you to open wide your hand to your brother and to the poor and needy in your land.
- Deuteronomy 15:14 You are to furnish him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress. You shall give to him as the LORD your God has blessed you.
- Nehemiah 8:10 Then Nehemiah told them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
- Job 22:7 You gave no water to the weary and withheld food from the famished,
- Job 29:12 because I rescued the poor who cried out and the fatherless who had no helper.
- Ezekiel 18:7 He does not oppress another, but restores the pledge to the debtor. He does not commit robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing.
- Ezekiel 18:16 He does not oppress another, or retain a pledge, or commit robbery. He gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing.
- Luke 11:41 But give as alms the things that are within you, and behold, everything will be clean for you.
- John 13:29 Since Judas kept the money bag, some thought that Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the feast, or to give something to the poor.
- Acts 4:32 The multitude of believers was one in heart and soul. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they owned.