Job 31:11

11 For that would be wickedness; Yes, it would be iniquity deserving of judgment.

Job 31:11 Meaning and Commentary

Job 31:11

For this [is] an heinous crime
Adultery; it is contrary to the light of nature, and is condemned by it as a great sin, ( Genesis 20:9 ) ( 26:10 ) ; as well as contrary to the express will and law of God, ( Exodus 20:14 ) ; and, though all sin is a transgression of the law of God, and deserving of death; yet there are some sins greater and more heinous than others, being attended with aggravating circumstances; and such is this sin, it is a breach of the marriage contract and covenant between man and wife; it is doing injury to a man's property, and to that which is the nearest and dearest to him, and is what introduces confusion into families, kingdoms, and states; and therefore it follows:

yea, it [is] an iniquity [to he punished by] the judges;
who might take cognizance of it, examine into it, and pass sentence for it, and execute it; and, if they neglect do their duty, God, the Judge of all the earth, will punish for it in the world to come, unless repented of: "for whoremongers and adulterers God will judge", ( Hebrews 13:4 ) ; the punishment of adultery was death by the law of God, and that by stoning, as appears from ( Leviticus 20:10 ) ( Deuteronomy 22:21 ) ( John 8:4 John 8:5 ) ; and it is remarkable, that the Heathens, who were ignorant of this law, enjoined the same punishment for it; so Homer ^F5 introduces Hector reproving Paris for this sin, and suggests to him, that if he had his deserved punishment, he would have been clothed with a "stone coat", as he beautifully expresses it; which Suidas ^F6 explains, by being overwhelmed with stones, or stoned; as Eustathius ^F7.

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FOOTNOTES:

F5 Iliad. 3. v. 57.
F6 In voce (lainon) .
F7 In Homer. ibid.

Job 31:11 In-Context

9 "If my heart has been enticed by a woman, Or if I have lurked at my neighbor's door,

10 Then let my wife grind for another, And let others bow down over her.

11 For that would be wickedness; Yes, it would be iniquity deserving of judgment.

12 For that would be a fire that consumes to destruction, And would root out all my increase.

13 "If I have despised the cause of my male or female servant When they complained against me,