Job 31:12
Job 31:12 in Multiple Translations
For it is a fire that burns down to Abaddon; it would root out my entire harvest.
For it is a fire that consumeth to destruction, and would root out all mine increase.
For it is a fire that consumeth unto Destruction, And would root out all mine increase.
It would be a fire burning even to destruction, and taking away all my produce.
for this sin is like a fire that leads to destruction, destroying everything I have.
Yea, this is a fire that shall deuoure to destruction, and which shall roote out al mine increase,
For a fire it [is], to destruction it consumeth, And among all mine increase doth take root,
for it is a fire that consumes to destruction, and would root out all my increase.
For it is a fire that consumeth to destruction, and would root out all my increase.
It is a fire that devoureth even to destruction, and rooteth up all things that spring.
My committing adultery would produce in me a fire like [MET] the fire that burns people in hell, and it would burn up everything that I own.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 31:12
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 31:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כִּ֤י
אֵ֣שׁ
הִ֭יא
עַד
אֲבַדּ֣וֹן
תֹּאכֵ֑ל
וּֽ/בְ/כָל
תְּב֖וּאָתִ֣/י
תְשָׁרֵֽשׁ
כִּ֤י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
אֵ֣שׁ
ʼêsh
H784
fire
N-cs
הִ֭יא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
עַד
ʻad
H5704
till
Prep
אֲבַדּ֣וֹן
ʼăbaddôwn
H11
Abaddon
N-proper
תֹּאכֵ֑ל
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
וּֽ/בְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
all
Conj | Prep | N-ms
תְּב֖וּאָתִ֣/י
tᵉbûwʼâh
H8393
produce
N-fs | Suff
תְשָׁרֵֽשׁ
shârash
H8327
to uproot
V-Piel-Imperf-3fs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 31:12
כִּ֤י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
אֵ֣שׁ
ʼêsh
H784
"fire"
N-cs
Fire is a powerful symbol in the Bible, representing both God's anger and his refining presence, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:24 and Malachi 3:2-3. It is also used for cooking and warmth. This concept is central to many biblical stories.
Definition: 1) fire 1a) fire, flames 1b) supernatural fire (accompanying theophany) 1c) fire (for cooking, roasting, parching) 1d) altar-fire 1e) God's anger (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: esh (אֶשָּׁא "fire" H0785)
Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot. See also: Genesis 15:17; Joshua 7:15; Psalms 11:6.
הִ֭יא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
עַד
ʻad
H5704
"till"
Prep
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.
אֲבַדּ֣וֹן
ʼăbaddôwn
H11
"Abaddon"
N-proper
Abaddon means a place of destruction or ruin, often translated as destruction in the KJV. It is an abstract concept of perishing. In the Bible, it is associated with Hades.
Definition: Abaddon, a place of destruction, destruction, ruin
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: destruction. See also: Job 26:6; Job 31:12; Psalms 88:12.
תֹּאכֵ֑ל
ʼâkal
H398
"to eat"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
וּֽ/בְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Conj | Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
תְּב֖וּאָתִ֣/י
tᵉbûwʼâh
H8393
"produce"
N-fs | Suff
This word means produce or income, referring to crops, revenue, or even the product of our lips. It is translated as fruit, gain, or revenue in the KJV Bible.
Definition: 1) produce, product, revenue 1a) product, yield, crops (of the earth usually) 1b) income, revenue 1c) gain (of wisdom) (fig) 1d) product of lips (fig)
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: fruit, gain, increase, revenue. See also: Genesis 47:24; 2 Kings 8:6; Psalms 107:37.
תְשָׁרֵֽשׁ
shârash
H8327
"to uproot"
V-Piel-Imperf-3fs
To uproot means to remove something from the ground, like a plant. In the Bible, it can also mean to get rid of something bad. It appears in books like Isaiah and Jeremiah.
Definition: 1) to uproot, take root, deal with the roots 1a) (Piel) to root up, root out 1b) (Pual) to be rooted up or out (of produce) 1c) (Poel) to take root 1d) (Poal) to take root 1e) (Hiphil) to take root, cause to take root
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: (take, cause to take) root (out). See also: Job 5:3; Psalms 80:10; Psalms 52:7.
Study Notes — Job 31:12
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 31:12 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 31:12
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 31:12
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 31:12
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 31:12
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 31:12
- Cambridge Bible on Job 31:12
- Barnes' Notes on Job 31:12
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 31:12
- Sermons on Job 31:12
Context — Job’s Final Appeal
10then may my own wife grind grain for another, and may other men sleep with her.
11For that would be a heinous crime, an iniquity to be judged.
12For it is a fire that burns down to Abaddon; it would root out my entire harvest.
13If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or maidservant when they made a complaint against me, 14what will I do when God rises to judge? How will I answer when called to account?Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 6:27 | Can a man embrace fire and his clothes not be burned? |
| 2 | Jeremiah 5:7–9 | “Why should I forgive you? Your children have forsaken Me and sworn by gods that are not gods. I satisfied their needs, yet they committed adultery and assembled at the houses of prostitutes. They are well-fed, lusty stallions, each neighing after his neighbor’s wife. Should I not punish them for these things?” declares the LORD. “Should I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this? |
| 3 | Job 15:30 | He will not escape from the darkness; the flame will wither his shoots, and the breath of God’s mouth will carry him away. |
| 4 | Proverbs 3:33 | The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the righteous. |
| 5 | Job 26:6 | Sheol is naked before God, and Abaddon has no covering. |
| 6 | Job 20:28 | The possessions of his house will be removed, flowing away on the day of God’s wrath. |
| 7 | Malachi 3:5 | “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts. |
| 8 | Hebrews 13:4 | Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. |
Job 31:12 Summary
This verse is saying that if Job were to commit a serious sin, it would be like a fire that burns everything in its path, all the way down to the deepest part of hell, as described in Revelation 9:11. This sin would destroy everything that is good in his life, like a harvest being ruined. Job is emphasizing the seriousness of sin and the importance of living a life that honors God, as encouraged in Psalm 37:3. By understanding the severity of sin, we can seek to live a life that is pleasing to God, and trust in His mercy and forgiveness, as promised in 1 John 1:9.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the phrase 'a fire that burns down to Abaddon' mean in Job 31:12?
Abaddon is a reference to the deepest part of the underworld, or hell, as seen in Revelation 9:11, so this phrase is emphasizing the severity of the consequences of sin, much like the warnings in Deuteronomy 32:22.
Is Job saying that he would lose everything if he committed a heinous crime?
Yes, Job is saying that if he were to commit such a sin, it would have devastating consequences, much like the destruction described in Jeremiah 25:34, and would ultimately lead to the loss of everything that truly matters to him.
How does this verse relate to the concept of God's judgment?
This verse highlights Job's understanding that God is a just judge, as seen in Psalm 7:11, and that He will ultimately hold us accountable for our actions, which is a theme that continues in the next verses, Job 31:13-14.
What does 'my entire harvest' represent in this context?
In this context, 'my entire harvest' likely represents the fruit of Job's life, including his relationships, his reputation, and his spiritual well-being, all of which would be destroyed if he were to give in to sin, as warned in Galatians 6:8.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I may be tempted to compromise my values, and what are the potential consequences of giving in to those temptations?
- How can I cultivate a deeper fear of the Lord, as described in Proverbs 1:7, to guide my decisions and actions?
- What does it mean to 'root out my entire harvest', and how can I apply this concept to my own life and priorities?
- In what ways can I seek to honor God in my relationships and daily choices, knowing that He will ultimately hold me accountable?
Gill's Exposition on Job 31:12
For it [is] a fire [that] consumeth to destruction,.... Referring either to the nature of the sin of uncleanness; it is inflammatory, a burning lust, a fire burning in the breast; see 1 Corinthians
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 31:12
If mine heart have been deceived by a woman, or if I have laid wait at my neighbour's door; Job asserts his innocence of adultery. Deceived - hath let itself be seduced (Proverbs 7:8, etc.; Genesis 39:7-12).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 31:12
For this sin would be as a secret but consuming fire, wasting my estate and reputation, and body and soul too, provoking God and enraging the husband, and bringing down some extraordinary vengeance upon me; and therefore the fear of God kept me from this and such-like wickedness. All mine increase, i.e. all my estate: compare .
Trapp's Commentary on Job 31:12
Job 31:12 For it [is] a fire [that] consumeth to destruction, and would root out all mine increase.Ver. 12. For it is a fire that consumeth to destruction] Ad Gehennam usque, to the place of destruction. Heb. to Abaddon, that burneth as low as hell itself. In case men should be slack to punish this heinous crime, yet whoremongers and adulterers God will judge, Hebrews 13:3, shutting them out of heaven, Revelation 22:15 (for what should any such dirty dog do trampling on that golden pavement?), and thrusting them into hell, as he did the filthy Sodomites, Judges 1:7, beside that hell above ground which he rained from heaven upon them, hot fire for their burning lusts, and stinking brimstone for their stinking brutishness. How God signally punished this sin in Charles II, king of Navarre, roasting him to death. Joan of Naples also, and Mary of Arragon, wife to the Emperor Otho III, burnt at a stake, are set upon record as instances of the Divine displeasure against adultery, a fire which burns hearts and consumes houses. And would root out all mine increase] Leaving me nothing. As a devouring fire burns up men, cattle, houses, corn, trees, &c.; so doth this sin all a man’ s income, baring him to the very bones, and exhausting him to the utmost: so that, like Tiberius at Capreae, he doth indies perire, which is a bitterness beyond that of death, Ecclesiastes 7:26. Or like Samson, befooled and bereft of all by Delilah, who had not her name for nought, for it comes from Dalal, to exhaust and impoverish. And indeed such kind of creatures do ordinarily drain the strength, exhaust the purses, dry up the credit, waste and consume the all of the mightiest Samsons, besides the loss of their immortal souls, and perpetual shame at the last day (when all their faults shall be written in their foreheads), unless the matter be taken up in the judge’ s privy chamber of mercy; and unless, by timely repentance, course be taken to stop his open judicial proceeding in court.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 31:12
Verse 12. For it is a fire] Nothing is so destructive of domestic peace. Where jealousy exists, unmixed misery dwells; and the adulterer and fornicator waste their substance on the unlawful objects of their impure affections.
Cambridge Bible on Job 31:12
12. to destruction] Heb. abaddon, i. e. Sheol or Death, as a place, ch. Job 26:6, Job 28:22. As to the complete ruin which this sin entailed comp. the passage Proverbs 6:24-35, particularly the last verses; see also Proverbs 5:8-14; Proverbs 7:26-27.
Barnes' Notes on Job 31:12
For it is a fire that consumeth to destruction - This may mean that such an offence would be a crime that would provoke God to send destruction, like a consuming fire upon the offender (Rosenmuller
Whedon's Commentary on Job 31:12
12. Destruction — Hebrews Abaddon. The sin spoken of is a fire that ceases not to burn till it has taken hold of hell itself.
Sermons on Job 31:12
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Freedom From Masterbation and Sensuality by Tim Conway | This sermon emphasizes the need to flee from sin, particularly addressing the issue of justifying masturbation as not a sin. It highlights the importance of seeking biblical guidan |
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Studies in 1 Corinthians-04 1 Cor 4:14-5:7 by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the issue of the Corinthians becoming followers of men and forming parties around favorite preachers. The preacher emphasizes the importance |
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And Not Be Burned? by Erlo Stegen | This sermon delves into the analogy of sin being likened to a fire that, if hidden within, will not only burn but ultimately lead to death. It emphasizes the danger of concealing s |
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Fire Burns by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the consequences of sin and the importance of repentance. He uses various illustrations to convey his message, including a painting of a man |
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Judges 16:21 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith discusses the tragic consequences of sin as illustrated in the life of Samson, emphasizing how sin blinds individuals to their true state, binds them in chains, and lea |
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Susanna Teaches Circumspection by Clement of Rome | Clement of Rome warns about the dangers of lust and adultery by recounting the story of Susanna and the elders who fell into sin due to their lustful desires. He emphasizes the imp |
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Letter 100 by James Bourne | James Bourne, in a letter to M. C. B., reflects on his struggles with transparency and spiritual growth, finding comfort in God's compassion and care. He emphasizes the importance |