but no stranger had to lodge on the street, for my door has been open to the traveler—
Parallel translations
- WEB (the foreigner has not camped in the street, but I have opened my doors to the traveler);
- KJV The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveller.
- NKJV (But no sojourner had to lodge in the street, For I have opened my doors to the traveler);
- NASB “The stranger has not spent the night outside, For I have opened my doors to the traveler.
- NLT I have never turned away a stranger but have opened my doors to everyone.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Job affirms that no traveler had to sleep in the street because he opened his doors to the stranger. He practiced ready hospitality to outsiders.
Overview
Job declares that the foreigner never lacked lodging because his home was always open to the traveler. Hospitality to strangers was a sacred duty in the ancient Near East and is commended throughout Scripture. The New Testament urges believers to practice such hospitality, for in welcoming strangers some have entertained angels, and it reflects the welcome God extends to outsiders through Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Heb 13:2Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
- Gen 19:2–3and said, “My lords, please turn aside into the house of your servant; wash your feet and spend the night. Then you can rise early and go on your way.” “No,” they answered, “we will spend the night in the square.”
- Judg 19:20–21“Peace to you,” said the old man. “Let me supply everything you need. Only do not spend the night in the square.”
- Rom 12:13Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.
- Isa 58:7Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
- 1 Pet 4:9Show hospitality to one another without complaining.
- Matt 25:35For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in,
- Job 31:17–18if I have eaten my morsel alone, not sharing it with the fatherless—
- Matt 25:40And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’
- Judg 19:15They stopped to go in and lodge in Gibeah. The Levite went in and sat down in the city square, but no one would take them into his home for the night.
- 1 Tim 5:10and well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work.
- Matt 25:44–45And they too will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Job's cry for a mediator who can lay his hand on both God and man, and his confidence that 'my Redeemer lives' and will stand on the earth, reaches forward to Jesus the living Redeemer.
How Job 31:32 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.