Job 31:19if I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or that the needy had no covering;
The setting
Job continues listing his acts of mercy. In the desert climate of ancient Uz, proper clothing meant survival - without it, people died from exposure...
The emotion here: urgently defending his record while remembering people he's saved from death
The original word
kesūth (כסות) — covering, but specifically the outer garment that served as both clothing and blanket for the poor
Why it matters
In ancient law, if you took someone's cloak as collateral, you had to return it by sunset because they'd freeze without it
Read with care
What most readers miss in Job 31:19
Job says 'perish' - he's not talking about discomfort but literal death from exposure
Common misconceptionPeople think this is about donating old clothes to charity, but Job is talking about preventing actual death from exposure - giving essential survival gear to people who would die without it.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Job 31:19
Bible Genome reading
Job 31:19 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Job 31:19 comes from the book of Job, written during the Patriarchal period. These words are attributed to Job. The dominant emotion in this verse is deciding, with a comfort power of 40% and a tone that is reflective. It belongs to the poetry genre of biblical literature. Key themes include clothing the naked, basic needs. Notable phrases: perish for want of clothing; needy had no covering.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same deciding
“"You shall have no other gods before me.”
— Deuteronomy 5:7
“"You shall not murder.”
— Exodus 20:13
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
— Matthew 23:12
“For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”
— 2 Timothy 1:7
“But Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!"”
— Acts 3:6
Your reflection
What does Job 31:19 mean to you, today?
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