Job 31:37

37 I would give him an account of my every step; I would present it to him as to a ruler.)—

Read Chapter Compare

PREVIOUS Job 31:36 NEXT Job 31:38

Job 31:37 in Other Translations

KJV

37 I would declare unto him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near unto him.

ESV

37 I would give him an account of all my steps; like a prince I would approach him.

NLT

37 For I would tell him exactly what I have done. I would come before him like a prince.

MSG

37 I'm prepared to account for every move I've ever made - to anyone and everyone, prince or pauper.

CSB

37 I would give Him an account of all my steps; I would approach Him like a prince.

Job 31:37 Meaning and Commentary

Job 31:37

I would declare to him the number of my steps
To his judge, or to him that contended with him, and drew up the bill against him; he would forward it, assist in it, furnish materials for it, give an account of all the transactions of his life that he could remember; this he says not as though he thought that God stood in need of any such declaration, since he better knows the actions of men than they themselves, compasses their paths, and is acquainted with all their ways; but to show how confident he was of his innocence, and how little he feared the strictest and closest examination of his ways and works, knowing that he had lived with all good conscience unto that day:

and as a prince would I go near unto him;
either he should consider such an hearer and judge of his cause he desired as a prince, and reverence and respect him as such; he should be as dear unto him, though his adversary that contended with him, as a prince; and he should be as ambitious of an acquaintance with him as with a prince: or rather he means that he himself as a prince, in a princely manner, and with a princely spirit, should draw nigh to his judge, to answer to the bill in writing against him; that he should not come up to the bar like a malefactor, that shows guilt in his countenance, and by his trembling limbs, and shrinking back, not caring to come nigh, but choosing rather to stand at a distance, or get off and escape if he could; but on the other hand, Job would go up to his judge, and to the judgment seat, with all the stateliness of a prince, with an heroic, intrepid, and undaunted spirit; like a "bold prince", as Mr. Broughton renders the word; see ( Job 23:3 ) .

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible