Matthew Poole and continuators on Job 29:16

16. I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out.

i. e. Had the care and bowels of a Father to them.

Either 1. Those which were not brought to my knowledge or Tribunal, either through neglect, or because the injured persons durst not complain, I diligently enquired after. Or 2. Those which were hard and difficult, and possibly were made so by the frauds or arts of the oppressours, or their advocates, which the poor injured person could not find out, I took pains to discover.