Job 31:4

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Job 31:4 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Does He not see my ways and count my every step?

King James Version KJV

Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?

American Standard Version ASV

Doth not he see my ways, And number all my steps?

Bible in Basic English BBE

Does he not see my ways, and are not my steps all numbered?

Free Bible Version FBV

Doesn't God see everything I do—even count every step I take?

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Doeth not he beholde my wayes and tell all my steps?

Young's Literal Translation YLT

Doth not He see my ways, And all my steps number?

World English Bible WEB

Doesn’t he see my ways, and count all my steps?

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Doth not he consider my ways, and number all my steps?

Translation for Translators T4T

God certainly sees [RHQ] everything that I do, so why is he causing me to suffer? It is as though he counts every step that I take.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Job 31:4

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 31:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB הֲ/לֹא ה֭וּא יִרְאֶ֣ה דְרָכָ֑/י וְֽ/כָל צְעָדַ֥/י יִסְפּֽוֹר

הֲ/לֹא lôʼ H3808 not Part | Part

ה֭וּא hûwʼ H1931 he/she/it Pron

יִרְאֶ֣ה râʼâh H7200 Provider V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

דְרָכָ֑/י derek H1870 way N-cp | Suff

וְֽ/כָל kôl H3605 all Conj | N-ms

צְעָדַ֥/י tsaʻad H6806 step N-mp | Suff

יִסְפּֽוֹר çâphar H5608 to recount V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

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 31:4

הֲ/לֹא lôʼ H3808 "not" Part | Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.

ה֭וּא 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.

יִרְאֶ֣ה râʼâh H7200 "Provider" V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.

Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after

Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.

דְרָכָ֑/י derek H1870 "way" N-cp | Suff

Derek refers to a road or path, and can also mean a way of life or manner of action. It is often used to describe a journey or direction, and can be used figuratively to describe a person's character or moral path.

Definition: : road/route 1) way, road, distance, journey, manner 1a) road, way, path 1b) journey 1c) direction 1d) manner, habit, way 1e) of course of life (fig.) 1f) of moral character (fig.)

Usage: Occurs in 626 OT verses. KJV: along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever). See also: Genesis 3:24; Deuteronomy 28:29; 1 Kings 15:34.

וְֽ/כָל kôl H3605 "all" Conj | 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.

צְעָדַ֥/י tsaʻad H6806 "step" N-mp | Suff

The Hebrew word for step or pace, describing a regular stride or the path of life. It appears in various forms, such as pace or step, in the King James Version. In the Bible, it refers to a person's journey or walk.

Definition: 1) step, pace, stride 1a) step, pace 1b) step, steps (of course of life) (fig)

Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: pace, step. See also: 2 Samuel 6:13; Psalms 18:37; Proverbs 4:12.

יִסְפּֽוֹר çâphar H5608 "to recount" V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

This word refers to a scribe or secretary who records or inscribes information. It is used in the Bible to describe someone who counts or enumerates things. The KJV translates it as 'scribe, tell, writer'.

Definition: v 1) to count, recount, relate 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to count (things) 1a2) to number, take account of, reckon 1b) (Niphal) to be counted, be numbered 1c) (Piel) to recount, rehearse, declare 1c1) to recount (something), rehearse 1c2) to talk 1c3) to count exactly or accurately 1d) (Pual) to be recounted, be rehearsed, be related

Usage: Occurs in 154 OT verses. KJV: commune, (ac-) count; declare, number, [phrase] penknife, reckon, scribe, shew forth, speak, talk, tell (out), writer. See also: Genesis 15:5; Esther 8:9; Psalms 2:7.

Study Notes — Job 31:4

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Job 31:4 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Job 31:4
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 31:4
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 31:4
Trapp's Commentary on Job 31:4
Ellicott's Commentary on Job 31:4
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 31:4
Cambridge Bible on Job 31:4
Barnes' Notes on Job 31:4
Sermons on Job 31:4

Context — Job’s Final Appeal

2For what is the allotment of God from above, or the heritage from the Almighty on high? 3Does not disaster come to the unjust and calamity to the workers of iniquity?

4Does He not see my ways and count my every step?

5If I have walked in falsehood or my foot has rushed to deceit, 6let God weigh me with honest scales, that He may know my integrity.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Job 34:21	For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step.
2	Proverbs 5:21	For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and the LORD examines all his paths.
3	2 Chronicles 16:9	For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him. You have acted foolishly in this matter. From now on, therefore, you will be at war.”
4	Job 14:16	For then You would count my steps, but would not keep track of my sin.
5	Proverbs 15:3	The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.
6	Jeremiah 32:19	the One great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are on all the ways of the sons of men, to reward each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds.
7	Jeremiah 16:17	For My eyes are on all their ways. They are not hidden from My face, and their guilt is not concealed from My eyes.
8	Psalms 139:1–3	O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down; You are aware of all my ways.
9	Psalms 44:21	would not God have discovered, since He knows the secrets of the heart?
10	Genesis 16:13	So Hagar gave this name to the LORD who had spoken to her: “You are the God who sees me, ” for she said, “Here I have seen the One who sees me!”

Job 31:4 Summary

This verse means that God is always watching over us and knows everything we do. He sees our good choices and our bad choices, and He is guiding us and directing our paths (Psalm 23:3-4). It's comforting to know that God is involved in every detail of our lives, and that He has a plan to prosper us, not to harm us (Jeremiah 29:11). We can trust Him to lead us and guide us, even when we don't understand what's happening, and we can be confident that He will work all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean that God sees my ways and counts my every step?

This means that God is all-knowing and aware of everything we do, as stated in Psalm 139:1-3, and that He is actively involved in our lives, guiding us and directing our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).

How can I be sure that God is watching over me?

We can be sure that God is watching over us because the Bible promises that He will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6), and that He has a plan to prosper us, not to harm us (Jeremiah 29:11).

What is the significance of God counting my every step?

This signifies that God is intimately involved in every detail of our lives, and that He is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28), even when we don't understand what's happening.

How does this verse relate to my accountability to God?

This verse reminds us that we are accountable to God for our actions, and that we will one day give an account of ourselves to Him (Romans 14:12), so we should strive to live in a way that honors Him (Colossians 3:17).

Reflection Questions

What are some areas of my life where I feel like God is watching over me, and how can I be more mindful of His presence?
How can I apply the truth that God sees my ways and counts my every step to my daily decisions and actions?
In what ways can I trust God's guidance and direction in my life, even when I don't understand what's happening?
What are some ways that I can cultivate a sense of accountability to God in my daily life, and how can I use this verse to motivate me to live a more godly life?

Gill's Exposition on Job 31:4

Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?] That is, God, who is above, and the Almighty that dwells on high; he looks down from heaven, and beholds all the ways and works, the steps and

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 31:4

For what portion of God is there from above? and what inheritance of the Almighty from on high? He asserts his guarding against being allured to sin by his senses. Verse 1. Think - cast a (lustful) look [ 'etbowneen (H995)].

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 31:4

i.e. All my counsels and courses. This is another reason why he was so circumspect and exact in restraining his thoughts, and senses, and whole man from sinful practices, because he knew that God would discern them, and therefore punish them, as he said, .

Trapp's Commentary on Job 31:4

Job 31:4 Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?Ver. 4. Doth he not see my ways, and count, &c.] Yea, sure he doth so; and the conscience of God’ s omniscience, who would soon take him tripping, kept him from this great wickedness. So it did Joseph, but so it did not David; who is, therefore, said to despise God and his commandment, to do evil in his sight; and this was no small aggravation of his offence. Ne pecces, Deus ipse videt. "I have seen the lewdness of thy whoredom," Jeremiah 13:27. "Even I know, and am a witness, saith the Lord," Jeremiah 29:23. That should be a powerful retentive from vice, Proverbs 5:21. And count all my steps?] Doth not he cipher them up? Habens omnia in numerato; not my ways only, my counsels and cogitations, but my steps also, that is, all mine outward attempts and actions. A most needful and useful consideration surely, to keep men within the compass of obedience. See this doctrine of God’ s singular providence plainly and plentifully set forth, Psalms 139:1-4.

Ellicott's Commentary on Job 31:4

(4) Doth not he.—The “He” is emphatic, obviously meaning God. His appeal is to the All-seeing knowledge of God, whom nothing escapes, and who is judge of the hearts and reins (Psalms 7:9; Psalms 44:21; Jeremiah 17:10; Jeremiah 20:12). (Comp. Acts 25:11.)

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 31:4

Verse 4. Doth not he see my ways] Can I suppose that I could screen myself from the eye of God while guilty of such iniquities?

Cambridge Bible on Job 31:4

4. Here “ways” and “steps” are said of things so slight as the glance of the eye. These are “seen” and “counted” by God. The thought of God in these verses is as lofty as the conception of morality is close and inward.

Barnes' Notes on Job 31:4

Doth he not see my ways? - This either means that God was a witness of all that he did - his thoughts, words, and deeds, and would punish him if he had given indulgence to improper feelings and

Sermons on Job 31:4

	Sermon	Description
	His Window in All Our Hearts by Thomas Brooks	Thomas Brooks emphasizes the profound impact of God's omniscient presence on our lives, illustrating how awareness of God's watchful eye can elevate our pursuit of holiness. He dra
	On the Immensity of God by Thomas Reade	Thomas Reade preaches on the immensity of God, emphasizing the importance of gaining a deeper understanding of God's being, nature, and character through the Holy Scriptures. The s
	Gps by Anton Bosch	Anton Bosch preaches about the concept of God's Positioning System (GPS) in our lives, drawing parallels between the technology of GPS and God's guidance. He emphasizes how God, li
	America Is Finished, unless... by Pierre Bynum	Pierre Bynum preaches about the impending judgment on America due to its sins and departure from God, emphasizing the need for national repentance and a God-sent Awakening to avert
	The Eyes of the Lord by Thomas Brooks	Thomas Brooks emphasizes the omnipresence and omniscience of God, illustrating that nothing escapes His sight. He describes God as attentive to every aspect of our lives, from our
	Two Infamous Strumpets by Thomas Brooks	Thomas Brooks emphasizes the omnipresence and omniscience of God, asserting that no sin, whether secret or open, can escape His watchful eye. He illustrates that even the most hidd
	Letter 196. by James Bourne	James Bourne shares about his spiritual journey, expressing gratitude for the guidance of the Lord in his recent experiences. Through prayer and reflection on God's word, he found