Job31
English Standard Version
1I have a with my ; then could I at a ?
2 would be my from and my from the on ?
3Is not for the , and for the of ?
4Does not he my and my ?
5 I have with and my has to ;
6(Let me be in a , and let my !)
7 my has from the and my has my , and if any has to my ,
8then let me , and , and let what for me be .
9 my has been toward a , and I have lain in at my ,
10then let my for , and let on her.
11For that would be a ; that would be an to be punished by the ;
12for that would be a that as far as , and it would burn to the my .
13 I have the of my or my , when they a me,
14 then shall I when ? When he makes , shall I him?
15Did not he who me in the him? And did not us in the ?
16 I have anything that the , or have the of the to ,
17or have my , and the has not of it
18(for from my the fatherless with me as with a , and from my I the widow ),
19if I have anyone for of , or the ,
20 his has not me, and if he was not with the of my ,
21 I have my the , I my in the ,
22then let my from my , and let my be from its .
23For I was in of from , and I have faced his .
24If I have my or fine my ,
25 I have because my was or because my had ,
26 I have at the when it , or the in ,
27and my has been , and my has my ,
28this would be an to be punished by the , for I would have been to .
29 I have at the of him who me, or when him
30( I have not my by for his with a ),
31 the of my have not , there that has not been with his ?
32( the has not in the ; I have my to the ),
33 I have my as do by my in my ,
34because I stood in of the , and the of me, so that I , and did not go of —
35 , that I had one to me! ( is my ! Let the me!) Oh, that I had the by my !
36 I would it on my ; I would it on me as a ;
37I would him an of all my ; like a I would him.
38 my has against me and its have ,
39 I have its and its their ,
40 of , and foul of . The of are .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Job 31.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Job declares his uprightness. (1–8). His integrity. (9–15). Job merciful. (16–23). Job not guilty of covetousness or idolatry. (24–32). Job not guilty of hypocrisy and violence. (33–40).
vv1-8
Job did not speak the things here recorded by way of boasting, but in answer to the charge of hypocrisy. He understood the spiritual nature of God's commandments, as reaching to the thoughts and intents of the heart. It is best to let our actions speak for us; but in some cases we owe it to ourselves and to the cause of God, solemnly to protest our innocence of the crimes of which we are falsely accused. The lusts of the flesh, and the love of the world, are two fatal rocks on which multitudes split; against these Job protests he was always careful to stand upon his guard. And God takes more exact notice of us than we do of ourselves; let us therefore walk circumspectly. He carefully avoided all sinful means of getting wealth. He dreaded all forbidden profit as much as all forbidden pleasure. What we have in the world may be used with comfort, or lost with comfort, if honestly gotten. Without strict honestly and faithfulness in all our dealings, we can have no good evidence of true godliness. Yet how many professors are unable to abide this touchstone!
vv9-15
All the defilements of the life come from a deceived heart. Lust is a fire in the soul: those that indulge it, are said to burn. It consumes all that is good there, and lays the conscience waste. It kindles the fire of God's wrath, which, if not quenched by the blood of Christ, will consume even to eternal destruction. It consumes the body; it consumes the substance. Burning lusts bring burning judgments. Job had a numerous household, and he managed it well. He considered that he had a Master in heaven; and as we are undone if God should be severe with us, we ought to be mild and gentle towards all with whom we have to do.
vv16-23
Job's conscience gave testimony concerning his just and charitable behaviour toward the poor. He is most large upon this head, because in this matter he was particularly accused. He was tender of all, and hurtful to none. Notice the principles by which Job was restrained from being uncharitable and unmerciful. He stood in awe of the Lord, as certainly against him, if he should wrong the poor. Regard to worldly interests may restrain a man from actual crimes; but the grace of God alone can make him hate, dread, and shun sinful thoughts and desires.
Key Words
כָּרַת: to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e. make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutting flesh and passing between the pieces)
בְּרִית: a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
עַיִן: an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
מָה: properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even relatively, that which); often used with prefixes in various adverbial or conjunctive senses
בִּין: to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand
בְּתוּלָה: a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a city or state
חֵלֶק: properly, smoothness (of the tongue); also an allotment
אֱלוֹהַּ: a deity or the Deity
מַעַל: properly, the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc.
נַחֲלָה: properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
Cross References
Job 31Christ's teaching on checking the heart's lustful look matches Job's covenant with his eyes.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Appeals to one common Creator in the womb as the basis for treating servants justly.
Supported by JFB
Equates covetousness and trust in wealth directly with idolatry, linking Job 31:24 to v26-28.
Supported by JFB
Contrasts Job's integrity with those who cover their transgressions rather than confessing.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels the terminology of 'portion' and 'inheritance' appointed by God to the wicked.
Supported by JFB
The precise curse of sowing seed in vain while enemies eat the harvest.
Supported by JFB
Grinding at the mill as a poetic depiction of the most abject, humiliated service.
Supported by JFB
Demonstrates that adultery was recognized as a heinous crime worthy of judgment in patriarchal times.
Supported by JFB
Adultery described as taking fire to the bosom, matching Job's description of a consuming fire.
Supported by JFB
New Testament call to hospitality without grudging, echoing Job opening his doors to travelers.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Job reiterates his self-description as a father to the poor and needy.
Supported by JFB
Joseph's refusal of adultery due to his fear of sinning against God.
Supported by JFB
The explicit Pentateuchal warning against looking to the sun and moon to worship them.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Alludes to Adam attempting to hide his transgression from God in the garden.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The agricultural cries of withheld wages and abused land reaching the ears of God.
Supported by Matthew Poole