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Job 31
Job 31:1
General Information:
Job continues speaking.
I have made a covenant with my eyes
Job speaks of making a promise about what he would look at as though his eyes were a person and he made a covenant with them. Alternate translation: "I have made a firm promise about what I will look at" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification)
I have made a covenant with my eyes
What job promised can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "I made a promise that I will not look lustfully on a virgin" or "I promised that I will not look lustfully on a virgin" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
how then should I look with desire on a virgin?
Job uses this question to emphasize that he would never break his promise. Alternate translation: "So I certainly will not look with lust at a virgin." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Job 31:2
For what is the portion from God above, the inheritance from the Almighty on high?
Job speaks of God's response to people's behavior as if it were the portion of an inheritance that God gives. Alternate translation: "For how will God above respond to me? What will the Almighty on high do?" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)
For what is the portion from God above, the inheritance from the Almighty on high?
Possible meanings are Job uses this question to emphasize 1) that God will not bless bad behavior. Alternate translation: "For if I look lustfully on a woman, God Almighty on high will not bless me." or 2) that God will punish bad behavior. Alternate translation: "For if I look lustfully on a woman, God Almighty on high will certainly punish me." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Job 31:3
General Information:
Job continues speaking.
Job 31:4
Does not God see my ways and count all my steps?
Here "my ways" and "my steps" are metaphors for Job's behavior. Here "see my ways" and "count all my steps" are metaphors for knowing everything Job does. Job uses this question to emphasize that God does know all he does. Alternate translation: "Certainly God watches me and knows everything that I do." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Does not God see my ways and count all my steps?
Job may be implying that God should know that Job is righteous and does not deserve calamity and disaster. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Job 31:5
General Information:
Job continues speaking.
If I have
In 31:5-40 Job describes different situations in which he would deserve God's punishment. But, Job is confident that they are not true and that he is innocent. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hypo)
have walked with falsehood, if my foot has hurried to deceit
Here "walked" and "hurried" are metaphors that represent how Job lived. Alternate translation: "have done anything false or purposely deceived anyone" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Job 31:6
let me be weighed in an even balance
People used balances to weigh items and to determine their value. This image represents judging honestly. It can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "let me be judged honestly" or "let God judge me honestly" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Job 31:7
General Information:
Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but Job is confident that they are not true. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hypo)
If my step has turned aside from the way
Here "my step" is a metaphor for Job's behavior, and "turned out of the right way" is a metaphor for changing from living right. Alternate translation: "If I have changed from living right" or "If I have stopped doing what is right" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
if my heart has gone after my eyes
Here "my heart" and "my eyes" are metonyms for what Job desires and sees. The heart going after the eyes is a metaphor for desiring to do what he sees. It is implied that this refers to sinful things that Job sees. Alternate translation: "if I have have wanted to do any sinful things that I see" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
if any spot has stuck to my hands
This is a metaphor for being guilty. Alternate translation: "if I am guilty of any sin at all" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Job 31:8
then let me sow, and let another eat, and let my crops be uprooted
Job is saying that if he really has sinned, then this bad thing should happen to him. He would do the hard work of sowing his fields, but he would not be able to eat any of it.
let my crops be uprooted
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "let someone else come and take the harvest from my field" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Job 31:9
General Information:
Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he is confident that they are not true. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hypo)
If my heart has been deceived by a woman
Here "my heart" represents Job. Here the word "deceived" expresses the idea of "enticed." The word "woman" expresses the idea of "another man's wife." This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "If another man's wife has enticed me" or "If I have desired another man's wife" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
if I have lain in wait at my neighbor's door
It can be stated clearly why he was waiting at his neighbor's door. Alternate translation: "if I have waited at my neighbor's door so I could sleep with his wife" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Job 31:10
then let my wife grind grain for another
Possible meanings are 1) this is an euphemism which means Job is saying may his wife sleep with another man or 2) it means she will become a slave and work for another man. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-euphemism)
Job 31:11
General Information:
Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he is confident that they are not true. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hypo)
For that would be a terrible crime
The word "that" refers to Job sleeping with another woman.
it would be a crime to be punished by judges
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "it would be a crime for which judges should punish me" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Job 31:12
For that is a fire that consumes as far as Abaddon, and it would burn all my harvest to the root
Job speaks of the harm that sleeping with another woman causes as if it were a fire that destroys everything. The words "that" and "it" refer to sleeping with another man's wife. Alternate translation: "For adultery is like a fire that burns up everything from here to Abaddon and that would burn up all my harvest" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
consumes as far as Abaddon
These words are probably a metaphor for "destroys everything so I have nothing good for the rest of my life," but you should probably translate this literally. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
it would burn all my harvest to the root
The word "it" here refers to the action sleeping with another man's wife. This action is a metonym for the punishment that Job would suffer as a result of the action. A fire burning up his harvest is a synecdoche for losing everything he has worked for. Alternate translation: "those who punish me would take away everything I have worked for" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)
Job 31:13
General Information:
Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he is confident that they are not true. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hypo)
Job 31:14
what then would I do when God rises up to accuse me? When he comes to judge me, how would I answer him?
Job uses these questions to emphasize that if God were to judge him, Job would not be able to make himself appear to be good. Alternate translation: "then there would be absolutely nothing I could say to defend myself when God comes to judge me." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Job 31:15
Did the one who made me in the womb not make them also? Did not the same one mold us all in the womb?
Job uses these questions to emphasize that he is no different from his servants. He implies that God would be angry if Job were to treat his servants as less valuable than himself. Alternate translation: "The one who made me in the womb also made them. He formed us all in the womb." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Job 31:16
General Information:
Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he is confident that they are not true. He does not finish his sentence in verses 16 and 17. Instead he explains in verse 18 why they are not true. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hypo)
If I have withheld poor people from their desire
"If I have kept poor people from getting what they desire"
if I have caused the eyes of the widow to grow dim from crying
Here "to grow dim" refers to the widow having bad eyesight from crying a lot. Alternate translation: "if I have caused a widow to cry in great sadness" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
Job 31:17
my morsel
"my food"
Job 31:18
because from my youth the orphan grew up with me as with a father
Here "the orphan" represents orphans in general. Job is describing how he truly treated orphans. Alternate translation: "because even when I was young I took care of orphans like a father" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-genericnoun)
because from my youth
The phrase "But I have done none of those things" is understood from the context. Alternate translation: "But I have done none of those things, because from my youth" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
I have guided his mother, a widow, from my own mother's womb
Job is describing how he truly treated widows. With the phrase "from my own mother's womb" he uses exaggeration to emphasize that he did this all his life. Alternate translation: "all my life I have guided the orphan's mother, a widow" or "all my life I have guided widows" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hyperbole)
Job 31:19
General Information:
Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he knows they are not true. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hypo)
Job 31:20
if his heart has not blessed me
The phrase "his heart" represents the poor man who needs clothing. Alternate translation: "if he has not blessed me" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)
because he has not been warmed with the wool of my sheep
Here "the wool of my sheep" represents blankets or clothing made from the wool of Job's sheep. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "because the wool of my sheep has not warmed him" or "because I have not given him clothing made from the wool of my sheep" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Job 31:21
if I have lifted up my hand against fatherless people
Lifting up the hand against someone represents threatening to harm him. Alternate translation: "if I have threatened to harm fatherless people" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
I saw my support in the city gate
Here "saw" is a metaphor for "knew," "support" is a metaphor for "approval," and "the city gate" is a metonym for the leaders who sit at the city gate. Alternate translation: "I knew that the leaders at the city gate would approve of me" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
in the city gate
This is where the important men of the city would gather to make decisions.
then bring charges against me
This phrase is not in the original language or in other versions of the Bible. It was added here to help preserve the meaning of Job's statement in this long sentence.
Job 31:22
then let my shoulder fall from the shoulder blade, and let my arm be broken from its joint
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "then let someone tear off my shoulder from the shoulder blade and break my arm from its joint" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Job 31:23
For I dreaded ... his majesty
This is the reason that Job did not do any of the wicked things he spoke of in verses 7 through 21.
Job 31:24
General Information:
Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he is confident that they are not true. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hypo)
If I have made gold my hope
The abstract noun "hope" can be translated with the verbs "trust" or "hope." Alternate translation: "If I trusted in gold" or "If I hoped that having a lot of gold would make me secure" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
if I have said to fine gold, 'You are what I am confident in'
This line means the same as the previous line. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)
Job 31:25
my hand had gotten many possessions
Here "my hand" represents Job's ability to do things. Alternate translation: "I have gained many possessions by my own ability" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
then bring charges against me
This phrase is not in the original language or in other versions of the Bible. It was added here to help preserve the meaning of Job's statement in this long sentence.
Job 31:26
General Information:
Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he is confident that they are not true. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hypo)
the moon walking
Here "walking" represents moving slowly. Alternate translation: "the moon moving across the sky" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification)
the moon walking in its brightness
The abstract noun "brightness" can be expressed with the words "bright" or "brightly." Alternate translation: "the bright moon moving across the sky" or "the moon moving brightly across the sky" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
Job 31:27
if my heart has been secretly attracted
Here "my heart" represents Job. This phrase can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "if I have been secretly attracted to them" or "if I have secretly desired to worship them" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
so that my mouth has kissed my hand
Here "my mouth" represents Job. This is a sign of love and devotion. Alternate translation: "so that I have kissed my hand" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-symaction)
Job 31:28
to be punished by judges
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "for which judges would be right to punish me" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
I would have denied the God who is above
"I would have been unfaithful to the God who is above"
Job 31:29
General Information:
Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he is confident that they are not true. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hypo)
at the destruction of anyone who hated me
The abstract noun "destruction" can be translated with the verb "destroy." Alternate translation: "when anyone who hated me was destroyed" or "when bad things happened to anyone who hated me" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
when disaster overtook him
"when he experienced disasters"
then bring charges against me
This phrase is not in the original language or in other versions of the Bible. It was added here to help preserve the meaning of Job's statement in this long sentence.
Job 31:30
Indeed, I have not even allowed my mouth to sin
Here "my mouth" represents Job speaking. Alternate translation: "Truly I did not let myself sin" or "Truly, I did not sin" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)
by asking for his life with a curse
Here "asking for his life with a curse" represents cursing someone's life so that he will die. Alternate translation: "by cursing him so that he would die" or "by cursing his life" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Job 31:31
General Information:
Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he is confident that they are not true. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hypo)
the men of my tent
The tent represents Job's household. The men of his tent includes family members and servants. All of these knew Job well. Alternate translation: "the men of my household" or "my family members and servants" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Who can find one who has not been filled with Job's food?
Job's men would have used this question to emphasize that Job was generous to everyone. Alternate translation: "Everyone has been filled with Job's food!" or "Everyone we know of has eaten as much of Job's food as he wanted!"(See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Job 31:32
even the foreigner has never had to stay in the city square
Job is explaining how he truly treated foreigners. Here "stay in the city square" represents sleeping overnight in the city square. Alternate translation: "foreigners have never had to sleep in the city square" or "foreigners have never had to sleep outside" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
I have always opened my doors to the traveler
Here "opened my doors to the traveler" represents welcoming the traveler into his home. Alternate translation: "I have always welcomed the traveler into my home" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
and if that is not so, then bring charges against me
This phrase is not in the original language or in other versions of the Bible. It was added here to help preserve the meaning of Job's statement in this long sentence.
Job 31:33
General Information:
Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he is confident that they are not true. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hypo)
If ... I have hidden my sins
Here "have hidden my sins" represents trying to keep people from knowing that he had sinned. Alternate translation: "If ... I have tried to keep my sins a secret" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
by hiding my guilt inside my tunic
This represents trying to keep people from knowing that he is guilty. Alternate translation: "by hiding the evidence of my guilt inside my tunic" or "like one who hides the evidence of his guilt inside his tunic" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Job 31:34
because I feared the great multitude, because the contempt of the families terrified me
This would be the reason for hiding his sins. These mean the same thing. They emphasize that a person may hide his sin because he fears what other people may think about him. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)
then bring charges against me
This phrase is not in the original language or in other versions of the Bible. It was added here to help preserve the meaning of Job's statement in this long sentence.
Job 31:35
Oh, if only I had someone to hear me!
This exclamation expresses Job's wish. Alternate translation: "I wish I had someone to hear me" or "I wish that someone would listen to me" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-exclamations)
here is my signature
Here "my signature" represents Job's promise that everything he is saying is true. He speaks of his complaint as if he had written a legal document. Alternate translation: "I solemnly promise that all I have said is true" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
let the Almighty answer me!
Here an answer probably refers to telling Job what wrong he accuses Job of doing. Alternate translation: "let the Almighty tell me what I have done wrong" or "I wish the Almighty would say what I have done wrong" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
If only I had the indictment that my opponent has written!
This expresses Job's wish. Job speaks as though his troubles are evidence that someone has written something accusing him of terrible sin. Alternate translation: "I wish I had the accusation that my opponent has written" or "If only I could read my opponent's complaint against me"
my opponent
These words could refer to 1) God or 2) someone else.
Job 31:36
Surely I would carry it openly on my shoulder; I would put it on like a crown
This represents putting it where everyone could read it. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Job 31:37
I would declare to him an accounting for my steps
Here "my steps" represents Job's actions. Alternate translation: "I would declare to him an accounting for all I have done" or "I would tell him everything I have done" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
as a confident prince I would go up to him
This means Job would approach God without any fear. Job implies that he could do this because he was not guilty. Alternate translation: "I would approach him boldly" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
Job 31:38
General Information:
This concludes Job's description of situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he is convinced that they they are not true. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hypo)
If my land ever cries out against me, and its furrows weep together
Job speaks of being guilty as if his land were a person who cries out against Job because of the wrong Job has done to the land. Alternate translation: "If I have done wrong concerning my land" or "If I have stolen my land from someone" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification)
Job 31:39
to lose their lives
This represents dying. Alternate translation: "to die" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Job 31:40
weeds instead of barley
The words "let" and "grow" are understood from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: "let weeds grow instead of barley" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-ellipsis)