Job 31:18
Job 31:18 in Multiple Translations
though from my youth I reared him as would a father, and from my mother’s womb I guided the widow—
(For from my youth he was brought up with me, as with a father, and I have guided her from my mother’s womb;)
(Nay, from my youth he grew up with me as with a father, And her have I guided from my mother’s womb);
(For I was cared for by God as by a father from my earliest days; he was my guide from the body of my mother;)
From when I was young I was a father to orphans and took care of widows.
(For from my youth hee hath growen vp with me as with a father, and from my mothers wombe I haue bene a guide vnto her)
(But from my youth He grew up with me as [with] a father, And from the belly of my mother I am led.)
(no, from my youth he grew up with me as with a father, I have guided her from my mother’s womb);
(For from my youth he was brought up with me, as with a father, and I have guided her from my mother's womb;)
(For from my infancy mercy grew up with me: and it came out with me from my mother’s womb:)
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 31:18
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 31:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כִּ֣י
מִ֭/נְּעוּרַ/י
גְּדֵלַ֣/נִי
כְ/אָ֑ב
וּ/מִ/בֶּ֖טֶן
אִמִּ֣/י
אַנְחֶֽ/נָּה
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
מִ֭/נְּעוּרַ/י
nâʻûwr
H5271
youth
Prep | N-cp | Suff
גְּדֵלַ֣/נִי
gâdal
H1431
to magnify
V-Qal-Perf-3ms | Suff
כְ/אָ֑ב
ʼâb
H1
father
Prep | N-ms
וּ/מִ/בֶּ֖טֶן
beṭen
H990
belly
Conj | Prep | N-fs
אִמִּ֣/י
ʼêm
H517
mother
N-fs | Suff
אַנְחֶֽ/נָּה
nâchâh
H5148
to lead
V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 31:18
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
מִ֭/נְּעוּרַ/י
nâʻûwr
H5271
"youth"
Prep | N-cp | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the state of being young or a group of young people, as seen in Isaiah 47:12. It describes a stage of life, like childhood or adolescence. This concept is also mentioned in Jeremiah 31:19.
Definition: youth, early life Also means: na.ur (נְעוּרוֹת "youth" H5271B)
Usage: Occurs in 46 OT verses. KJV: childhood, youth. See also: Genesis 8:21; Isaiah 54:6; Psalms 25:7.
גְּדֵלַ֣/נִי
gâdal
H1431
"to magnify"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms | Suff
To make something or someone great, important, or powerful. This Hebrew word means to magnify or grow, and is used in the Bible to describe God's power and greatness. The KJV translates it as 'magnify' or 'great'.
Definition: 1) to grow, become great or important, promote, make powerful, praise, magnify, do great things 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to grow up 1a2) to become great 1a3) to be magnified 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to cause to grow 1b2) to make great, powerful 1b3) to magnify 1c) (Pual) to be brought up 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to make great 1d2) to magnify 1d3) to do great things 1e) (Hithpael) to magnify oneself
Usage: Occurs in 112 OT verses. KJV: advance, boast, bring up, exceed, excellent, be(-come, do, give, make, wax), great(-er, come to... estate, [phrase] things), grow(up), increase, lift up, magnify(-ifical), be much set by, nourish (up), pass, promote, proudly (spoken), tower. See also: Genesis 12:2; Psalms 35:27; Psalms 18:51.
כְ/אָ֑ב
ʼâb
H1
"father"
Prep | N-ms
In Hebrew, this word means father, whether literal or figurative. It is used to describe God as the father of his people, as well as human fathers like Abraham. The word is about a paternal relationship or authority.
Definition: 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.) Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)
Usage: Occurs in 1060 OT verses. KJV: chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. See also: Genesis 2:24; Genesis 42:37; Leviticus 19:3.
וּ/מִ/בֶּ֖טֶן
beṭen
H990
"belly"
Conj | Prep | N-fs
This Hebrew word refers to the belly or womb, and is used to describe the seat of hunger, emotions, and even the depths of the afterlife. It is used in the Bible to describe the body and its functions. The KJV translates it as belly, body, or womb.
Definition: : abdomen 1) belly, womb, body 1a) belly, abdomen 1a1) as seat of hunger 1a2) as seat of mental faculties 1a3) of depth of Sheol (fig.) 1b) womb
Usage: Occurs in 72 OT verses. KJV: belly, body, [phrase] as they be born, [phrase] within, womb. See also: Genesis 25:23; Psalms 22:10; Psalms 17:14.
אִמִּ֣/י
ʼêm
H517
"mother"
N-fs | Suff
The Hebrew word for 'mother' is used in the Bible to describe a female parent or a maternal figure. It can also refer to the source or origin of something, such as a river or a family. In some cases, it is used figuratively to describe a person's relationship to others.
Definition: 1) mother 1a) of humans 1b) of Deborah's relationship to the people (fig.) 1c) of animals 2) point of departure or division
Usage: Occurs in 202 OT verses. KJV: dam, mother, [idiom] parting. See also: Genesis 2:24; 2 Kings 4:19; Psalms 22:10.
אַנְחֶֽ/נָּה
nâchâh
H5148
"to lead"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs | Suff
To lead or guide is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can also imply transporting people into exile or as colonists. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Exodus and 1 Kings, to describe leadership and migration.
Definition: 1) to lead, guide 1a) (Qal) to lead, bring 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, guide
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: bestow, bring, govern, guide, lead (forth), put, straiten. See also: Genesis 24:27; Psalms 31:4; Psalms 5:9.
Study Notes — Job 31:18
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Job 31:18 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 31:18
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 31:18
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 31:18
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 31:18
- Ellicott's Commentary on Job 31:18
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 31:18
- Cambridge Bible on Job 31:18
- Barnes' Notes on Job 31:18
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 31:18
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—
19if I have seen one perish for lack of clothing, or a needy man without a cloak, 20if his heart has not blessed me for warming him with the fleece of my sheep,Job 31:18 Summary
In Job 31:18, Job explains that he has taken care of the fatherless and widows his whole life, like a father would, showing God's love to those in need. This verse teaches us that caring for others, especially those who are vulnerable, is an important part of living out our faith (as seen in James 1:27). Just like Job, we can demonstrate God's love by serving and caring for those around us, especially the fatherless and widows, following God's commands in Exodus 22:22 and Deuteronomy 10:18. By doing so, we reflect God's heart of love and compassion, as described in Psalm 68:5.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'rear' someone 'as would a father'?
In Job 31:18, Job is saying he took care of the fatherless as if they were his own children, just like a father would, which is similar to what we see in Psalm 68:5, where God is described as a father to the fatherless.
How did Job 'guide the widow from his mother’s womb'?
Job is using a figure of speech to say he has been caring for widows his whole life, just as Jeremiah 1:5 says God knew Jeremiah before he was born, implying a lifelong calling to serve others.
Is Job boasting about his good deeds?
No, Job is actually defending himself against accusations, as seen in Job 31:16-20, where he lists his good works to demonstrate his integrity, similar to what the apostle Paul does in 2 Corinthians 11:21-33.
What is the significance of Job's lifelong care for the widow and fatherless?
Job's actions demonstrate his trust in God's commands, such as those found in Exodus 22:22 and Deuteronomy 10:18, which instruct us to care for the vulnerable, showing that our faith is not just about words, but about actions, as James 2:14-17 teaches.
Reflection Questions
- How can I demonstrate a father's love to those around me who are without a father figure, just like Job did?
- What are some ways I can care for the widows in my community, following Job's example?
- In what ways can I show God's love to the orphans and fatherless, reflecting His heart as described in Psalm 10:14 and 68:5?
- How can I ensure that my actions, like Job's, demonstrate my trust in God's commands to care for the vulnerable?
Gill's Exposition on Job 31:18
For from my youth he was brought up with me as [with] a father,.... That is, the poor or the fatherless, one or both; as soon as he was at years of discretion, and was capable of observing the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 31:18
If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me; Job affirms his freedom from unfairness toward his servants: from harshness and oppression toward the needy.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 31:18
From my youth; as soon as I was capable of managing my own affairs, and of doing good to others. He was brought up with me, in my family, or at least under my care and protection. As with a father, i.e. with all the diligence and tenderness of a father. I have guided her, i.e. the widow, mentioned , and commonly joined with the fatherless. From my mother’ s womb, i.e. from my tender years; ever since I was capable of discerning good and evil, I have made conscience of this duty; and this my continuance in well-doing is a good evidence of my sincerity therein.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 31:18
Job 31:18 (For from my youth he was brought up with me, as [with] a father, and I have guided her from my mother’ s womb;)Ver. 18. For from my youth he was brought up with me, &c.] i.e. Ever since I could do anything it hath been my delight to be doing good to the poor orphans, whom I have tenderly bred, as a father useth to breed his children. Non est vulgare Dei donum, saith Mercer, This is no ordinary mercy for men to be of a merciful disposition and melting hearted toward the poor and necessitous, as some are naturally, and from the womb. Such are said to have been Artaxerxes Longimanus, Titus the emperor, Otho III, Stephen king of Hungary, Oswald king of England, &c. And I have guided her from my mother’ s womb] Ductavi illam, meaning the widow, or the orphan, to whom I have been a manly guide, and that of a child little. See the previous note. Sutton’ s hospitals and many more monuments of charity in this kind are worthily alleged by some of our divines, to prove that, for their time and ability, Protestants have equalled and exceeded Papists in this way of good works. Job’ s desire of doing good appeared early, as if it had been born with him; like as Plutarch writeth of Coriolanus, that he was so natural and expert a soldier, that he might seem to have been born with his arms upon his back and his weapons in his hands, εγγενηκαιεμφυτα..
Ellicott's Commentary on Job 31:18
(18) For from my youth he.—The pronouns refer to the fatherless of Job 31:17 and to the widow of Job 31:16.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 31:18
Verse 18. This is a very difficult verse, and is variously translated. Take the following instances: - For from his youth he (the male orphan) was brought up with me as a father. Yea, I have guided her (the female orphan) from her mother's womb. - Heath. Nam a pueris educavit me commiseratio; jam inde ab utero matris meae illa me deduxit. - Houbigant. "For commiseration educated me from my childhood; And she brought me up even from my mother's womb." This is agreeable to the Vulgate. "Behold, from my youth calamity hath quickened me; Even from my mother's womb have I distributed it." This is Mr. Goods version, and is widely different from the above. For mercy grewe up with me fro my youth, And compassion fro my mother's wombe. Coverdale. Ὁτιεκνεοτητοςμουεξετρεφονὡςπατηρ, καιεκγαστροςμητροςμουὡδηγησα. - Septuagint.
"For from my youth I nourished them as a father; and I was their guide from my mother's womb." The Syriac. "For from my childhood he educated me in distresses, and from the womb of my mother in groans." The Arabic is nearly the same. The general meaning may be gathered from the above; but who can reconcile such discordant translations?
Cambridge Bible on Job 31:18
18. he was brought up with me] Rather, he (the fatherless) grew up with me. Job probably did not achieve his greatness, he was born to it. And possibly he inherited the traditions of a great and benevolent house. And thus even from his youth he took the place toward the poor of a patron and father.
Barnes' Notes on Job 31:18
For from my youth he was brought up with me - This verse is usually regarded as a parenthesis, though very various expositions have been given of it.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 31:18
Third strophe — In CIVIL life, also, Job declares he had practised righteousness towards the dependent, and shown mercy to the suffering and defenceless.