Job 31:4-14

4 "Does He not 1see my ways And 2number all my steps?
5 "If I have 3walked with falsehood, And my foot has hastened after deceit,
6 Let Him 4weigh me with accurate scales, And let God know 5my integrity.
7 "If my step has 6turned from the way, Or my heart followed * my eyes, Or if any 7spot has stuck to my hands,
8 Let me 8sow and another eat, And let my 9crops be uprooted.
9 "If my heart has been 10enticed by a woman, Or I have lurked at my neighbor's doorway,
10 May my wife 11grind for another, And let 12others kneel down over her.
11 "For that would be a 13lustful crime; Moreover, it would be 14an iniquity punishable by judges.
12 "For it would be 15fire that consumes to 16Abaddon, And would 17uproot all my increase.
13 "If I have 18despised the claim of my male or female slaves * When they filed a complaint against me,
14 What then could I do when God arises? And when He calls me to account, what will I answer Him?

Job 31:4-14 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 18

  • 1. 2 Chronicles 16:9; Job 24:23; Job 28:24; Job 34:21; Job 36:7; Proverbs 5:21; Proverbs 15:3
  • 2. Job 14:16; Job 31:37
  • 3. Job 15:31; Micah 2:11
  • 4. Job 6:2, 3
  • 5. Job 23:10; Job 27:5, 6
  • 6. Job 23:11
  • 7. Job 9:30
  • 8. Leviticus 26:16; Job 20:18; Micah 6:15
  • 9. Job 31:12
  • 10. Job 24:15; Job 31:1
  • 11. Isaiah 47:2
  • 12. Deuteronomy 28:30; Jeremiah 8:10
  • 13. Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:24
  • 14. Job 31:28
  • 15. Job 15:30
  • 16. Job 26:6
  • 17. Job 20:28; Job 31:8
  • 18. Deuteronomy 24:14, 15

Footnotes 6

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