Job 31

Job 31:1

I made a covenant with mine eyes] To keep them from all wanton looks.

Job 31:2

what portion of God is there from above?] For such as are wanton. Or, what portion for me? I fare as bad as if I had been wanton.

Job 31:3

a strange punishment] Such punishments as men inflict upon strangers, Obad. v. 12. or, an extraordinary judgement from God, Isaiah 28:21.

Job 31:4

Doth not he see my ways] 2 Chron. 16. 9. Chap. 34. 21. Proverbs 5:21. and Proverbs 15:3. Seeing great plagues are for the wicked, and God knows I am none, why doth he deal so hardly with me?

Job 31:5

If I have walked with vanitie, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit] The form of an oath; If I have done so, then let me perish, chap. 1. 11. Or read it, I have not walked with vanitie, nor my foot hasted to deceit. Or, let the sixth verse be as a parenthesis, and the speech continued, as Psal. 7. 4, 5.

Job 31:6

Let me be weighed in an even balance] Heb. Let him weigh me in balances of justice.

Job 31:7

my step hath turned out of the way] Chap. 23. 11.

mine heart walked after mine eyes] To accomplish the lust of mine eyes, Ezekiel 6:9. and Ezekiel 20:24. Matthew 5:28. Ecclesiastes 11:9.

Job 31:8

let another eat] According to the curse of the law, Deuteronomy 28:33.

Job 31:10

let my wife grinde unto another] Let her be abused by others; or, let her be a slave to grinde for them, Judg. 16. 21. Lamentations 5:13.

Job 31:11

iniquitie to be punished by the judges] Vers. 28.

by the judges] A capitall crime, to be punished with death, Genesis 38:24. Leviticus 20:10. Deuteronomy 22:22.

Job 31:12

fire that consumeth] Proverbs 6:27.

that consumeth to destruction] Though man neglect to punish adulterers, yet Gods wrath will consume them.

Job 31:13

when they contended with me] When they complained that they were ill intreated by me.

Job 31:14

When God riseth up?] To judge me for my sins, or, for oppressing my inferiours, Col. 4. 1.

Job 31:15

Did not he that made me in the womb, make him?] He knew that God would punish him for oppressing his servant, because he is Gods creature, as well as he himself, chap. 34. 19. Proverbs 14:31. and Proverbs 17:5. Malachi 2:10.

did not one fashion us in the womb?] Or, did he not fashion us in one womb?

Job 31:16

or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail] By long waiting for the fulfilling of her request, Psalms 119:123.

Job 31:18

as with a father] He nourished the fatherlesse, and maintained the widows cause.

her] That is, the widow.

Job 31:19

If I have seen any perish for want of clothing] If I did but see one naked, I gave him clothing, though he did not ask me, Luke 6:30. Matthew 25:36.

Job 31:20

blessed me] Deuteronomy 24:13.

Job 31:21

If I have lift up my hand against the fatherlesse] To smite, oppresse, or do him injury, Isaiah 58:4.

when I saw my help in the gate] When others would have assisted me in oppressing him.

Job 31:22

Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder-blade] Let me rot, and fall in pieces.

the bone] Or, the chanell-bone.

Job 31:23

For destruction from God was a terrour to me] I refrained not from sinning because I feared men, but for fear of God, Genesis 39:9. and 42. 18. Nehemiah 5:15.

Job 31:24

hope] Psalms 49:6. and Psalms 52:7. and Psalms 62:10.

Job 31:25

If I rejoiced because my wealth was great] If I made riches my chief joy, Luke 12:19. and 16. 19, James 5:5.

gotten much] Heb. found much.

Job 31:26

If I beheld the sun when it shined] If I was proud of my worldly prosperity, which is meant by the shining of the sun, and brightnesse of the moon. Some understand it of idolizing those creatures.

the sun] Heb. the light.

in brightnesse] Heb. bright.

Job 31:27

or my mouth hath kissed my hand] Heb. my hand hath kissed my mouth. If mine own doings dotingly delighted me: or, if I have adored those creatures, as this rite implyes, Hosea 13:2.

Job 31:28

This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge] Verse 11.

I should have denied the God that is above] By putting confidence in any thing but him alone.

my mouth] Heb. my palate.

Job 31:31

If the men of my tabernacle said not] My servants moved me to be revenged of mine enemy, yet did I never wish him hurt.

Job 31:32

to the traveller] Or, to the way.

Job 31:33

as Adam] Or, after the manner of men.

Adam] Genesis 3:12. Hosea 6:7.

Job 31:34

Did I fear a great multitude] I did not carry my self like a tyrant, that is afraid to look out of doors: or, was I terrified by any might or multitude from doing right?

Job 31:35

behold, my desire is, that the Almightie would answer me] Or, behold my signe is, that the Almightie will answer me.

Job 31:36

and binde it as a crown to me] This book of accusation should be a commendation to me.

Job 31:37

as a prince would I go neer unto him] With an heroicall and undaunted spirit, as being cleared by my own conscience.

Job 31:38

If my land crie against me] That I have got it by extortion or oppression, Hab. 2. 11, 12.

complain] Heb. weep.

Job 31:39

the fruits thereof] Heb. the strength thereof.

without money] Either not paying for the purchase, 1 King. 21. or, not paying the labourers for their work, Jerem. 22. 13. Malachi 3:5. James 5:4.

caused the owners thereof to lose their life] Heb. caused the sol of the owners thereof to expire, or, breathe out.

Job 31:40

cockle] Or, noisome weeds.

The words of Job are ended] That is, the talk which he had with his three friends; for he spake afterwards to God, chap. 40. 3. and 42. 1.