Job 31:19-29

19 if I have seen anyone perishing for lack of clothing, or the needy without garments,
20 and their hearts did not bless me for warming them with the fleece from my sheep,
21 if I have raised my hand against the fatherless, knowing that I had influence in court,
22 then let my arm fall from the shoulder, let it be broken off at the joint.
23 For I dreaded destruction from God, and for fear of his splendor I could not do such things.
24 “If I have put my trust in gold or said to pure gold, ‘You are my security,’
25 if I have rejoiced over my great wealth, the fortune my hands had gained,
26 if I have regarded the sun in its radiance or the moon moving in splendor,
27 so that my heart was secretly enticed and my hand offered them a kiss of homage,
28 then these also would be sins to be judged, for I would have been unfaithful to God on high.
29 “If I have rejoiced at my enemy’s misfortune or gloated over the trouble that came to him—

Job 31:19-29 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 22

  • 1. Job 22:6; Isaiah 58:7
  • 2. S Job 24:4
  • 3. Job 29:13
  • 4. Judges 6:37
  • 5. S Job 22:7; James 1:27; Job 22:9
  • 6. S Job 29:7,9
  • 7. Numbers 15:30; Job 5:15; Job 38:15; Psalms 10:15; Psalms 37:17; Psalms 137:5
  • 8. S Job 10:3; S Job 30:15
  • 9. Job 13:11
  • 10. S Genesis 20:11
  • 11. S Job 22:25
  • 12. Matthew 6:24; Mark 10:24; Luke 12:15
  • 13. S Genesis 12:16; Psalms 49:6; Psalms 52:7; Psalms 62:10; Isaiah 10:14
  • 14. S Job 22:24; Ezekiel 28:5; Luke 12:20-21
  • 15. S Genesis 1:16; Ezekiel 8:16
  • 16. Job 25:5
  • 17. S Deuteronomy 11:16; S Job 24:15; James 1:14
  • 18. Jeremiah 8:2; Jeremiah 16:11
  • 19. S Genesis 38:24; Deuteronomy 17:2-7
  • 20. S Numbers 11:20; Ezekiel 8:16
  • 21. S Numbers 14:1; Psalms 35:15; Obadiah 1:12; Matthew 5:44
  • 22. Proverbs 17:5; Proverbs 24:17-18
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