Job 31:32

32 The stranger did not lodge without; I opened my doors to the pathway.

Job 31:32 Meaning and Commentary

Job 31:32

The stranger did not lodge in the street
By a stranger is not meant an unconverted man, that is a stranger to God and godliness, to Christ, and the way of salvation by him, to the Spirit of God and spiritual things, nor a good man, who is a stranger and pilgrim on earth; but one that is out of his nation and country, and at a distance from it, whether a good man or a bad man; these Job would not suffer to lie in the streets in the night season, exposed to the air and the inclemencies of it; see ( Judges 19:15-21 ) ;

[but] I opened my doors to the traveller;
even all the doors of his house, to denote his great liberality, that as many as would might enter it; and this was done by himself, or, however, by his order; and some think that it signifies that he was at his door, waiting and watching for travellers to invite them in, as Abraham and Lot, ( Genesis 18:1 Genesis 18:2 ) ( Genesis 19:1 Genesis 19:2 ) ; or his doors were opened "to the way" F9: as it may be rendered, to the roadside; his house was built by the wayside; or, however, the doors which lay towards that side were thrown open for travellers to come in at as they pleased, and when they would; so very hospitable and kind to strangers and travellers was Job, and so welcome were they to his house and the entertainment of it, see ( Hebrews 13:2 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F9 (xral) "ad semitam seu viam", Mercerus; "versus viam", Piscator, Michaelis; (Krdl) , Ben Gersom.

Job 31:32 In-Context

30 (Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by asking his life with a curse;)
31 If the men of my tent said not, Who shall find one that hath not been satisfied with his meat? --
32 The stranger did not lodge without; I opened my doors to the pathway.
33 If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom,
34 Because I feared the great multitude, and the contempt of families terrified me, so that I kept silence, and went not out of the door, ...
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.