Job 31:30

30 no, I have not allowed my mouth to sin, to ask his life with a curse.

Job 31:30 Meaning and Commentary

Job 31:30

Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin
Which, as it is the instrument of speech, is often the means of much sin; particularly of cursing men, and expressing much bitterness against enemies; but Job laid an embargo upon it, kept it as with a bridle, restrained it from uttering any evil, or wishing any to his worst adversaries; which is difficult to do, when provocations are given, as follows:

by wishing a curse to his soul;
not to his soul as distinct from his body, being the superior excellency and immortal part; that it be everlastingly damned, as wicked men wish to their own souls, and the souls of others, but to his person, wishing some calamity might befall him, some disease seize upon him, or that God would take him away by death: Job would never suffer himself to wish anything of this kind unto his enemy.

Job 31:30 In-Context

28 this also [is] an iniquity [to be] judged, for I have deceived God above.
29 "If I have rejoiced at [the] ruin of [the one who] hated me or have exulted when evil overtook him--
30 no, I have not allowed my mouth to sin, to ask his life with a curse.
31 {Have the people of my tent not said}, '{O that} someone had not been satisfied with his meat'?
32 An alien has not lodged in the street; I have opened my door to the traveler.

Footnotes 1

Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.