Job 31:26-36

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—
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,[a]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—
35 (“Oh, that I had someone to hear me! I sign now my defense—let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser put his indictment in writing.
36 Surely I would wear it on my shoulder, I would put it on like a crown.

Job 31:26-36 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 19

  • 1. S Genesis 1:16; Ezekiel 8:16
  • 2. Job 25:5
  • 3. S Deuteronomy 11:16; S Job 24:15; James 1:14
  • 4. Jeremiah 8:2; Jeremiah 16:11
  • 5. S Genesis 38:24; Deuteronomy 17:2-7
  • 6. S Numbers 11:20; Ezekiel 8:16
  • 7. S Numbers 14:1; Psalms 35:15; Obadiah 1:12; Matthew 5:44
  • 8. Proverbs 17:5; Proverbs 24:17-18
  • 9. Job 5:3; Romans 12:14
  • 10. S Job 22:7
  • 11. Genesis 19:2-3; Judges 19:20; Matthew 25:35; S Romans 12:13
  • 12. Psalms 32:5; Proverbs 28:13
  • 13. S Genesis 3:8
  • 14. Exodus 23:2
  • 15. Psalms 32:3; Psalms 39:2
  • 16. S Job 9:24; Job 19:7; Job 30:28
  • 17. Job 27:7; Job 35:14
  • 18. S Exodus 28:12
  • 19. Job 29:14

Footnotes 1

Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.