16 I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger.
16 I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out.
16 I was a father to the needy, and I searched out the cause of him whom I did not know.
16 Father to the needy, and champion of abused aliens.
16 I was a father to the poor, And I searched out the case that I did not know.
16 I was a father to the poor and assisted strangers who needed help.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 29:16
Commentary on Job 29:7-17
(Read Job 29:7-17)
All sorts of people paid respect to Job, not only for the dignity of his rank, but for his personal merit, his prudence, integrity, and good management. Happy the men who are blessed with such gifts as these! They have great opportunities of honouring God and doing good, but have great need to watch against pride. Happy the people who are blessed with such men! it is a token for good to them. Here we see what Job valued himself by, in the day of his prosperity. It was by his usefulness. He valued himself by the check he gave to the violence of proud and evil men. Good magistrates must thus be a restraint to evil-doers, and protect the innocent; in order to this, they should arm themselves with zeal and resolution. Such men are public blessings, and resemble Him who rescues poor sinners from Satan. How many who were ready to perish, now are blessing Him! But who can show forth His praises? May we trust in His mercy, and seek to imitate His truth, justice, and love.