Job 31:17

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

if I have eaten my morsel alone, not sharing it with the fatherless—

American Standard Version (1901)

Or have eaten my morsel alone, And the fatherless hath not eaten thereof

Bible in Basic English

If I kept my food for myself, and did not give some of it to the child with no father;

Free Bible Version

Have I even eaten just a piece of bread by myself? Haven't I always shared my food with orphans?

King James (Authorized) Version

Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof;

Unlocked Literal Bible

or if I have eaten my morsel alone and not allowed those without fathers to eat it also—

Noah Webster Bible

Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten of it;

World English Bible

or have eaten my morsel alone, and the fatherless has not eaten of it

Young's Literal Translation

And I do eat my morsel by myself, And the orphan hath not eat of it,

Context

Job’s Final Appeal

¹⁶If I have denied the desires of the poor or allowed the widow’s eyes to fail, ¹⁷if I have eaten my morsel alone, not sharing it with the fatherless— ¹⁸though from my youth I reared him as would a father, and from my mother’s womb I guided the widow—

Summary

In this verse, Job expresses his concern for the well-being of his servants by acknowledging that he provided them with food and clothing. Job's actions reflect his sense of responsibility and care for those under his authority, showing his compassion and generosity as a righteous man. This verse highlights the importance of treating others with kindness and meeting their basic needs, even in a position of power or wealth. Job's example serves as a reminder to prioritize the welfare of those who depend on us, demonstrating a heart of service and humility.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Or have eaten my morsel myself alone - Hospitality was a very prominent virtue among the ancients in almost all nations: friends and strangers were equally welcome to the board of the affluent. The supper was their grand meal: it was then that they saw their friends; the business and fatigues of the day being over, they could then enjoy themselves comfortably together. The supper was called coena on this account; or, as Plutarch says, Το μεν γαρ δειπνον φασι κοινα δια την κοινωνιαν καλεισθαι· καθ' ἑαυτους γαρ ηριστων επιεικως οἱ παλαι ρωμαιοι, συνδειπνουντες τοις φιλοις. "The ancient Romans named supper Coena, (κοινα), which signifies communion (κοινωνια) or fellowship; for although they dined alone, they supped with their friends." - Plut. Symp. lib. viii., prob. 6, p. 687. But Job speaks here of dividing his bread with the hungry: Or have eaten my morsel myself alone. And he is a poor despicable caitiff who would eat it alone, while there was another at hand, full as hungry as himself.