Job 29:12

12 because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist them.

Job 29:12 in Other Translations

KJV
12 Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.
ESV
12 because I delivered the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to help him.
NLT
12 For I assisted the poor in their need and the orphans who required help.
MSG
12 I was known for helping people in trouble and standing up for those who were down on their luck.
CSB
12 For I rescued the poor man who cried out for help, and the fatherless child who had no one to support him.

Job 29:12 Meaning and Commentary

Job 29:12

Because I delivered the poor that cried
This honour and esteem he had not because of his grandeur and riches, because of his worldly wealth and substance, but because of the goodness of his disposition, and because of the good he did to men, his acts of pity and compassion to the poor, and of the justice he did to all men; the poor and the afflicted, when they cried to him for help, he delivered them out of the hands of their oppressors:

and the fatherless;
the care and defence of which belongs to judges and civil magistrates, see ( Psalms 82:1-4 ) ;

[and him that] had none to help him;
as the poor and fatherless seldom have; there is power on the side of the oppressors of them, but they have few or none to take their parts, and to be their comforters, ( Ecclesiastes 4:1 ) ; in these instances Job imitated God, and was a follower of him, as a dear child of his; who, when this and the other poor man cries unto him, he hears, saves, and delivers out of all their troubles; he is the helper, yea, the father of the fatherless, and the judge of the widow; and, when there is no help from men, he is a present help in times of need.

Job 29:12 In-Context

10 the voices of the nobles were hushed, and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths.
11 Whoever heard me spoke well of me, and those who saw me commended me,
12 because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist them.
13 The one who was dying blessed me; I made the widow’s heart sing.
14 I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban.

Cross References 3

  • 1. S Job 24:4
  • 2. S Deuteronomy 24:17; Job 31:17,21
  • 3. Psalms 72:12; Proverbs 21:13
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