Job 31:32

32 (1the sojourner has not lodged in the street; I have opened my doors to the traveler),

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 (I have not let my mouth sin by asking for his life with a curse),
31 if the men of my tent have not said, 'Who is there that has not been filled with his meat?'
32 (the sojourner has not lodged in the street; I have opened my doors to the traveler),
33 if I have concealed my transgressions as others do by hiding my iniquity in my bosom,
34 because I stood in great fear of the multitude, and the contempt of families terrified me, so that I kept silence, and did not go out of doors--

Cross References 1

  • 1. [Genesis 19:2, 3; Judges 19:20, 21; Matthew 25:35; Hebrews 13:2]
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.