The Church Fathers on this verse

Job 31:17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

If I have eaten my morsel alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof:

Douay-Rheims

וְאֹכַ֣ל פִּתִּ֣י לְבַדִּ֑י וְלֹא־אָכַ֖ל יָת֣וֹם מִמֶּֽנָּה׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Ireneus (Orda)

19th centuryCommentator

In his attempt to demonstrate to his companions that he was undeserving of such anguish, Job articulates that he was not only adorned with acts of compassion and outward devotion, but that he was internally a righteous individual (31: 1-4). Deceit was entirely foreign to him (5-8); his thoughts were untainted by inappropriate desires directed at another man's spouse (9-12); he regarded his servants as beings made in the same image as himself (13-15). In his care for the impoverished and the distressed, Job never perceived himself as a person of authority who could wrong others (16-23); he placed no trust in his riches (24-25), refrained from secret iniquities (26-28), and did not take joy in the adversities faced by his foes (29-30).

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His home was welcoming to all travelers (30-32); he viewed himself as so blameless that he could confidently stand before the judgment of God (31-37), without fear of incurring the curse that once came upon Adam due to sin (38-40). Thus, in Job's deeds and qualities, we witness not only the righteousness of the Old Testament figure but also the noble virtues that are the finest embellishments of those in the New Testament. This final discourse, especially the concluding section, provides a compelling summary of Job's entire life as voiced by him. We observe him in roles as a family man, a judge, and a leader, gaining insight into his interactions with peers and subordinates, as well as with the unfortunate—revealing both his outward behaviors and his innermost intentions. We are presented with the full scope of his existence: his past joys, current sufferings, and hopes for what is yet to come. This portrayal encapsulates all that Job is. With this representation, it is particularly fitting for Job to conclude his defense and affirmations of his integrity. Noteworthy is the manner in which Job expresses his final sentiments.

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Passages read together with this verse.