Bible Strands
Job 31:19
if I have seen one perish for lack of clothing, or a needy man without a cloak,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Job delivers this line as part of his sworn oath of innocence, directly addressing God while cataloging his past treatment of the vulnerable. He states his denial of neglecting those who lacked basic provisions.
The words — The Hebrew אֹבֵד (oved) translates to "one who was perishing," paired with לְבוּשׁ (levush), meaning "clothing." These terms anchor the statement in the physical reality of exposure and deprivation.
The thread — The text mirrors the accusation in Job 22:6 regarding the naked being stripped of garments and aligns with the directive in 1 John 3:18 to love through action rather than speech. It also parallels the practical provision for captives recorded in 2 Chronicles 28:15.
Why it lands — The verse states a clear standard: visible care for those without coverings is required. Readers must determine whether their own responses to poverty move beyond observation into tangible provision.
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
If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering;
Cross-references
- Job 22:6 For you needlessly demanded security from your brothers and deprived the naked of their clothing.
- 1 John 3:18 Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.
- 2 Chronicles 28:15 Then the men who were designated by name arose, took charge of the captives, and provided from the plunder clothing for the naked. They clothed them, gave them sandals and food and drink, anointed their wounds, and put all the feeble on donkeys. So they brought them to Jericho, the City of Palms, to their brothers. Then they returned to Samaria.
- Job 24:4 They push the needy off the road and force all the poor of the land into hiding.
- Job 29:13 The dying man blessed me, and I made the widow’s heart sing for joy.
- Isaiah 58:7 Isn’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?
- Matthew 25:36 I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’
- Matthew 25:43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after Me.’
- Luke 3:11 John replied, “Whoever has two tunics should share with him who has none, and whoever has food should do the same.”
- Acts 9:39 So Peter got up and went with them. On his arrival, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood around him, weeping and showing him the tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.