Job 31:32

32 but no stranger had to spend the night in the street, for my door was always open to the traveler—

Job 31:32 in Other Translations

KJV
32 The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveller.
ESV
32 (the sojourner has not lodged in the street; I have opened my doors to the traveler),
NLT
32 I have never turned away a stranger but have opened my doors to everyone.
MSG
32 And no stranger ever had to spend a night in the street; my doors were always open to travelers.
CSB
32 No stranger had to spend the night on the street, for I opened my door 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 allowed my mouth to sin by invoking a curse against their life—
31 if those of my household have never said, ‘Who has not been filled with Job’s meat?’—
32 but no stranger had to spend the night in the street, for my door was always open to the traveler—
33 if I have concealed my sin as people do,by hiding my guilt in my heart
34 because I so feared the crowd and so dreaded the contempt of the clans that I kept silent and would not go outside—

Cross References 1

  • 1. Genesis 19:2-3; Judges 19:20; Matthew 25:35; S Romans 12:13
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