Job 31:20
Job 31:20 in Multiple Translations
if his heart has not blessed me for warming him with the fleece of my sheep,
If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
If his loins have not blessed me, And if he hath not been warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
If his back did not give me a blessing, and the wool of my sheep did not make him warm;
they always thanked me for the wool clothing that kept them warm.
If his loynes haue not blessed me, because he was warmed with the fleece of my sheepe,
If his loins have not blessed me, And from the fleece of my sheep He doth not warm himself,
if his heart hasn’t blessed me, if he hasn’t been warmed with my sheep’s fleece;
If his loins have not blessed me, and if he hath not been warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
If his sides have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep:
and they were not able to become warm from clothes made from the wool of my sheep with the result that they thanked me for giving them clothes,
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 31:20
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 31:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אִם
לֹ֣א
בֵרֲכ֣וּ/נִי
חלצ/ו
חֲלָצָ֑י/ו
וּ/מִ/גֵּ֥ז
כְּ֝בָשַׂ/י
יִתְחַמָּֽם
אִם
ʼim
H518
if
Conj
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
בֵרֲכ֣וּ/נִי
bârak
H1288
to bless
V-Piel-Perf-3cp | Suff
חלצ/ו
châlâts
H2504
loin
N-cd | Suff
חֲלָצָ֑י/ו
châlâts
H2504
loin
N-cd | Suff
וּ/מִ/גֵּ֥ז
gêz
H1488
fleece
Conj | Prep | N-ms
כְּ֝בָשַׂ/י
kebes
H3532
lamb
N-mp | Suff
יִתְחַמָּֽם
châmam
H2552
to warm
V-Hithpael-Imperf-3ms
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 31:20
אִם
ʼim
H518
"if"
Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
בֵרֲכ֣וּ/נִי
bârak
H1288
"to bless"
V-Piel-Perf-3cp | Suff
To bless means to praise or honor God, often by kneeling in worship. In the Bible, people bless God and God blesses people, showing favor and care for them, as seen in the story of Abraham and his descendants.
Definition: 1) to bless, kneel 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to kneel 1a2) to bless 1b) (Niphal) to be blessed, bless oneself 1c) (Piel) to bless 1d) (Pual) to be blessed, be adored 1e) (Hiphil) to cause to kneel 1f) (Hithpael) to bless oneself 2) (TWOT) to praise, salute, curse Aramaic equivalent: be.rakh (בְּרַךְ "to bless" H1289)
Usage: Occurs in 289 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abundantly, [idiom] altogether, [idiom] at all, blaspheme, bless, congratulate, curse, [idiom] greatly, [idiom] indeed, kneel (down), praise, salute, [idiom] still, thank. See also: Genesis 1:22; Deuteronomy 24:19; Job 2:9.
חלצ/ו
châlâts
H2504
"loin"
N-cd | Suff
In the Bible, 'loins' refers to the seat of vigor and strength, like in Genesis where it describes a woman's travail. It represents the source of power and energy.
Definition: 1) loins 1a) as seat of virility 1b) as girded 1c) as seat of pain (woman's travail)
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: loins, reins. See also: Genesis 35:11; Job 40:7; Isaiah 5:27.
חֲלָצָ֑י/ו
châlâts
H2504
"loin"
N-cd | Suff
In the Bible, 'loins' refers to the seat of vigor and strength, like in Genesis where it describes a woman's travail. It represents the source of power and energy.
Definition: 1) loins 1a) as seat of virility 1b) as girded 1c) as seat of pain (woman's travail)
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: loins, reins. See also: Genesis 35:11; Job 40:7; Isaiah 5:27.
וּ/מִ/גֵּ֥ז
gêz
H1488
"fleece"
Conj | Prep | N-ms
This word refers to a fleece, the woolly coat of a sheep, or mown grass. Gideon used a fleece to test God in Judges 6. It can also mean a shearing or mowing.
Definition: 1) a shearing, mowing 1a) shearing, that sheared off 1b) a mowing, mown grass
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: fleece, mowing, mown grass. See also: Deuteronomy 18:4; Psalms 72:6; Amos 7:1.
כְּ֝בָשַׂ/י
kebes
H3532
"lamb"
N-mp | Suff
This word refers to a young ram or lamb, old enough to butt or fight. In the Bible, it is used to describe the animals used for sacrifice or as a symbol of innocence.
Definition: lamb, sheep, young ram
Usage: Occurs in 100 OT verses. KJV: lamb, sheep. See also: Exodus 12:5; Numbers 28:7; Proverbs 27:26.
יִתְחַמָּֽם
châmam
H2552
"to warm"
V-Hithpael-Imperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to warm or heat something, like in Genesis 18:4, where Abraham offers warm water to wash feet. It can also describe strong emotions, like passion or desire.
Definition: 1) to be hot, become warm 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be or grow warm 1a2) of passion (fig.) 1b) (Niphal) to become aroused, inflame oneself with 1c) (Piel) to warm 1d) (Hithpael) to warm oneself
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: enflame self, get (have) heat, be (wax) hot, (be, wax) warm (self, at). See also: Exodus 16:21; Ecclesiastes 4:11; Psalms 39:4.
Study Notes — Job 31:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 31:20 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 31:20
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 31:20
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 31:20
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 31:20
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 31:20
- Cambridge Bible on Job 31:20
- Barnes' Notes on Job 31:20
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 31:20
Context — Job’s Final Appeal
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,
21if I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless because I saw that I had support in the gate, 22then may my arm fall from my shoulder and be torn from its socket.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 24:13 | be sure to return it to him by sunset, so that he may sleep in his own cloak and bless you, and this will be credited to you as righteousness before the LORD your God. |
| 2 | Job 29:11 | For those who heard me called me blessed, and those who saw me commended me, |
Job 31:20 Summary
In Job 31:20, Job is saying that if he has not shown kindness and compassion to those in need, then he has failed to live out his faith. He is highlighting the importance of using our resources to care for others, just as he used the fleece of his sheep to warm those who were cold. This verse reminds us that our actions towards others are a reflection of our hearts, and that we should strive to show kindness and generosity to all those around us, just as it is written in Matthew 25:40, 'whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me'. By doing so, we can demonstrate our love and care for others, and bring glory to God.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'bless' someone in the context of Job 31:20?
In this verse, 'blessing' refers to expressing gratitude or praise, as seen in Psalms 100:4, where we are called to 'enter His gates with thanksgiving' and 'His courts with praise'.
How does Job's treatment of the poor relate to his faith?
Job's actions towards the poor demonstrate his faith in action, as described in James 2:14-17, where it is written that 'faith without works is dead'.
What is the significance of the 'fleece of my sheep' in Job 31:20?
The 'fleece of my sheep' represents Job's willingness to provide for the needy, much like the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37, who showed compassion to the stranger in need.
How does this verse reflect Job's character?
This verse highlights Job's compassionate and generous nature, as he is mindful of the needs of others, much like the teachings of Proverbs 19:17, which says that 'whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord'.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can show kindness and compassion to those in need, just like Job did?
- How can I cultivate a heart of gratitude, not just for the blessings I receive, but also for the opportunities to bless others?
- What are some practical ways I can use my resources to warm and care for those around me, just as Job used the fleece of his sheep?
- How can I reflect on my own actions and motivations, to ensure that I am treating others with the same kindness and generosity that Job demonstrated?
Gill's Exposition on Job 31:20
If his loins have not blessed me,.... Which were girded and covered with garments he gave him; which, as often as he put on and girded his loins with, put him in mind of his generous benefactor, and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 31:20
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 31:20
Blessed me, i.e. given him occasion to bless and praise me, and to pray to God to bless me for covering them; the loins being put synecdochically for the whole body: see the like expression , and compare . With the fleece of my sheep; with clothing made of my wool.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 31:20
Job 31:20 If his loins have not blessed me, and [if] he were [not] warmed with the fleece of my sheep;Ver. 20. If his loins have not blessed me] As being warm clothed by me; not with a suit of words, as those great benefactors, James 2:15-16, who were much in mouth mercy, which indeed is good cheap; but a little handful of Job’ s wool is much better than a mouthful of such airy courtesies, and would open more mouths to bless men who, today, for the most part, will be but as friends at a sneeze, the most you can get of them is, God bless you. These have as many flouts and curses as Job had well wishes, and God thereby had praises, according to that of our Saviour, Matthew 5:16. And if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep] His sheep were his own, else his charity had been unwarrantable. "Honour the Lord with thy substance," Proverbs 3:9, but see it be thine, and not another’ s. "He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor," Proverbs 22:9; specially if he have spared it out of his own belly to give to the hungry; if it were the bread of his own demense, or allowance, as some interpret it.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 31:20
Verse 20. If his loins have not blessed me] This is a very delicate touch: the part that was cold and shivering is now covered with warm woollen. It feels the comfort; and by a fine prosopopoeia, is represented as blessing him who furnished the clothing.
Cambridge Bible on Job 31:20
13–23. Job repudiates all misuse of the power which his rank gave him, denying (1) that he treated contemptuously his servants when they had a cause against him, Job 31:13-15; (2) that he was indifferent to the wants of the unprotected, or refused to bestow on them of his own bread and raiment, Job 31:16-20; (3) that he violently wronged any, even though he could have secured a judgment favourable to him before the tribunal, Job 31:21; after which follows the imprecation, Job 31:22-23.
Barnes' Notes on Job 31:20
If his loins have not blessed me - This is a personification by which the part of the body that had been clothed by the benevolence of Job, is supposed to speak and render him thanks.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 31:20
20. The loins, previously naked, are personified and poetically described as invoking upon him every blessing.