Job 31:23-33

23 "For 1calamity from God is a terror to me, And because of 2His majesty I can do nothing.
24 "If I have put my confidence in 3gold, And called fine gold my trust,
25 If I have 4gloated because my wealth was great, And because my hand had secured so much;
26 If I have 5looked at the sun when it shone Or the moon going in splendor,
27 And my heart became secretly enticed, And my hand threw a kiss from my mouth,
28 That too would have been 6an iniquity calling for judgment, For I would have 7denied God above *.
29 "Have I 8rejoiced at the extinction of my enemy, Or exulted when evil befell him?
30 "No, 9I have not allowed my mouth to sin By asking for his life in 10a curse.
31 "Have the men of my tent not said, 'Who can find one who has not been 11satisfied with his meat '?
32 "The alien has not lodged outside, For I have opened my doors to the traveler.
33 "Have I 12covered my transgressions like Adam, By hiding my iniquity in my bosom,

Job 31:23-33 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 31

In this chapter Job gives an account of himself in private life, of the integrity and uprightness of his life, and his holy walk and conversation, with this view, that it might be thought that the afflictions which were upon him were not on account of a vicious course of life he had indulged unto, as was suggested; and he clears himself from various crimes which it might be insinuated he was guilty of, as from unchastity; and he observes the method he took to prevent his falling into it, and the reasons that dissuaded him from it, Job 31:1-4; from injustice in his dealings with men, Job 31:5-8; from the sin of adultery, Job 31:9-12; from ill usage of his servants, Job 31:13-15; from unkindness to the poor, which he enlarges upon, and gives many instances of his charity to them, Job 31:16-23; from covetousness, and a vain confidence in wealth, Job 31:24,25; from idolatry, the worship of the sun and moon, Job 31:26-28; from a revengeful spirit, Job 31:29-31; and from inhospitality to strangers, Job 31:32; from covering his sin, Job 31:33; and fear of men, Job 31:34; and then wishes his cause might be heard before God, Job 31:35-37; and the chapter is closed with an imprecation on his head if guilty of any injustice, Job 31:38-40.

Cross References 12

  • 1. Job 31:3
  • 2. Job 13:11
  • 3. Job 22:24; Mark 10:23-25
  • 4. Job 1:3, 10; Psalms 62:10
  • 5. Deuteronomy 4:19; Deuteronomy 17:3; Ezekiel 8:16
  • 6. Deuteronomy 17:2-7; Job 31:11
  • 7. Joshua 24:27; Isaiah 59:13
  • 8. Proverbs 17:5; Proverbs 24:17; Obadiah 12
  • 9. Psalms 7:4
  • 10. Job 5:3
  • 11. Job 22:7
  • 12. Genesis 3:10; Proverbs 28:13

Footnotes 10

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