Job 31

Job proveth his innocency, by shewing zealously, what his practise was; as that he had been chaste toward the Maidens, 1, etc. Righteous in bargains and contracts, 5. Chaste also in regard of other mens wives, 9. Righteous towards his servants, 13. Bountiful to the poor, 16. Innocent towards the Orphans, 21. Not relying on his wealth, 24. No idolater, 26. Not rejoicing at his enemies adversity, 29. Nor cursing him, 30. Given to enemies adversity, 29. Nor cursing him, 30. Given to hospitality, 32. True and upright in confessing of his failings, 33. Doing wrong to no body, 34. Wishing that notice were taken of all his words and actions, 35. Also be relateth his upright dealing, 38. Wisheth he may speed ill, if he spake not the truth, 40.

1. I have made a Covenant with mine eyes: how should I then have given heed to a maid? [viz. So as to look upon her with unchaste or dishonest desires, Comp. Mat.5.v.28. 1 John 2:16.]

2. For what is the portion of God from above? [viz. Which God giveth: understand the punishment appointed by God for the unchaste. Compare above 20.on v.29. Some do understand it of the reward of chastity, which he should loose and forfeit by unchaste actions.] or the inheritance of the Almighty, out of the heights? [i.e. out of heaven, See above 16.on v.19.]

3. Is not the destruction for the perverse, yea somewhat strange [Heb. Strangeness, i.e. that which is strange, unusual, uncourth and extraordinary] for the works of iniquity?

4. Doth he [viz. God, and so verse 6.] not see my ways? [See Genesis 6.on verse 12.] and doth not he tell all my steps? [i.e. doth not he observe all I do, or leave undone, for to reward it graciously if be good, or to punish it justly if it be evil? See above 14.on v.16.]

5. If I have conversed with vanity [i.e. with lies and falsehood in my dealings, bargainings, contracts. So Exod.23.2. Deut.5.20. Isa.5.18.] and my foot was swift to deceit.

6. Let him weigh me in a just balance; [Heb. In balances of righteousness, i.e. let my mind, purposes, words and actions be duely searched and examined.] and words and actions be duely searched and examined.] and God shall know my uprightness. [viz. That I was no hypocrite, as my friends have taken and judged me to be.]

7. if my going turned out of the way, [i.e. from the rule and square of life, which God hath set before us. He speaketh of wilful and presumptious sins, wherein wicked men go on] and mine heart followed after mine eyes, [i.e. desired in any unrighteous manner, what was pleasing to mine eyes, and belonging unto other men.] and ought cleave to my hands. [viz. Of other mens goods. Others. A spot, or stain, i.e. any wicked action.]

8. Then let me sow, but another eat; [he doth imprecate that judgement of God upon himself, whereof we read Levit.26.16. Deut.28.30,33,38,39,40.] and let my sprouts be-rooted up. [i.e. that which I had planted in the ground.]

9. if my heart have been enticed to a woman, [viz. For to desire, or enjoy her dishonestly or unlawfully, when I might have had the opportunity] or have lain in wait at my neighbours door.

10. Then let my wife grind with another, and others bow down upon her.

11. For that is a reproachful action, and it is a misdeed with the Judges. [i.e. deserveth to be condemned and punished by the Judges. So below verse 28.]

12. For that is a fire, [i.e. it causeth a fire, viz. That of the divine vengeance, See above chap.22.on v.20. For even as the fire doth speedily consume the stubble, so doth Gods wrath and righteous, vengeance such wicked sinners, comp. Deut.4.on v, 24. Nah.1.6.] which devoureth to destruction, and would have rooted out all my revenue.

13. If I have disdained the right of my man-servant, or of my maid-servant, when they had (any) difference with me.

14. For what should I do, [viz. In my defence before God, i.e. how should I be able to answer it before him. For the slaves (such as most servants were then) had no liberty in those days, to bring any complaint against their Masters before the civil Magistrate.] if God arose? [viz. For to judge between me and them, which cometh to pass, when God inflicteth his punishments upon such oppressors, either in this life, or that to come.] and if he made visitation, [i.e. did punish. See Gen.21.on verse 1. On verse 25.] what should I answer him?

15. Hath not he that made me in the belly, made him (also)? [My servant namely] and one [God namely] prepared us in the womb? [Oth. Hath not he prepared him in the womb after one manner? Or, in one kind of womb?]

16. If I have with-held from the poor their desire [viz. By not satisfying the same according to my power. Heb. If I have restrained, or prohibited the poor from desire] or have let the eyes of the widow to faint: [ones eyes are made to faint, when he is made to wait and attend long for the good he desireth, which is said by similitude of the eyes, whose vigour, if they look steadily and without ceasing after any thing in vain, must needs grow faint, and be consumed. So Psal.69.4. & 119.82, 123. Lam.4.17.]

17. And have eaten my but alone; So that the Orphan hath not eaten of the same.

18. For from my youth (up) hath be [i.e. The Orphan, last spoken of in the former verse. Compare above 29.16.] been educated [or, brought up, Heb. Is grown great] by me, as by a Father: and front my mothers belly [an hyperbolical expression, implying the first time of his age, wherein God had infused into his heart such a tenderness and care in the widows and Orphans behalf.] have I led, [i.e. helped and assisted with comfort, counsel, supply and redress.] her [viz. The widow spoken of v.16.]

19. If I have seen any perish, because he was without clothing, and that the needy had no cover. [viz. Without receiving cover and apparel from me.]

20. If his lions have not blessed me; when he was warmed of the skins of my lambs: [Understand the lions of the needy, whom Job had covered and clothed with his skins; The sense is; if he whose lions were warmed did not thank Job, and wish him all happiness and speak his praise, by reason of the ease and comfort he felt by it. So the word blessing is taken, Genesis 12:3. Deuteronomy 24:13. 2 Samuel 8:10. Psalms 62:5.]

21. If I have stirred my hand against the Orphan; [viz. To strike, or beat, or threaten, or any way violently to abuse or oppress him. Compare 1 Kings 13:4.] because I saw my helper [i.e. because the Judges would have been ready enough to pronounce in my behalf against them; as standing in awe of my power and authority, or desirous to purchase and entertain my favour and friendship.] in the gate. [i.e. in the place of judicature, at the Sessions, which were kept of old in the gates of the City. Gen.22.on v.17.]

22. Let my shoulder fall from the shoulder-blade, and mine arm break off from the pipe. [Heb. Read. Understand the upper-bone of the arm, extending from the elbow to the shoulder.]

23. For the destruction of God was a terror by me: [Understand the judgement which God doth send upon the oppressors of the poor.] and I was not able. [i.e. I had no power at all, namely to stand before him, and to endure or undergo his vengeance.] by reason of his highness; [i.e. of his transcendent and terrible Majesty and Power.]

24. If have set the gold for hope; [So the Hebrew word is taken, above chap.8.14. Proverbs 3:26.] or have said to the fine Gold, thou art my confidence:

25. If I have been glad, because my substance [Or, means, riches, wealth. So Gen.34.29. Num.31.9. Deut.8.17.] was great; and because mine hand had gotten [Heb. Found. So Deut.8.17,18. Isa.10.10, &c.] exceeding much.]

26. If I have beheld the light, [i.e. the Sun, so, viz. As to yield him any divine worship, after the manner of Idolaters. For here mention or instance is made of the two great lights (so called, Gen.1.16. Psalms 136:7.) the Sun and the Moon, with whose beauty and operations the heathens were so taken and transported, that they yielded them divine honour and worship, Jer.43.13. yea, even the Israelites themselves, 1 Kings 21:3. and 23.4,5,11. Ezek.8.16.] when is shined; or the moon gloriously going forth. [The Idolaters used to worship the Sun, for the most part, when he arose in his brightness; and the Moon when she was full; which here is called her glorious going forth.]

27. And mine heart hath been enticed [viz. To exhibited them divine worship] in secret, [contrary to my public profession, which I do make of serving onely the true and living God in spirit, and in truth. See Deut.27.15.] that my hand kissed my mouth; [i.e. that I brought my hand up to my mouth in token of reverence and subjection. See of the Idolatrous kiss in honour of the Idols, 1 Kings 19.on v.18. See likewise Gen.41.on v.40.]

28. That were likewise a misdeed Judge: [See above on.v.11.] for I should have forsaken the God from above. [i.e. that is in heaven, and from thence regardeth, governeth and blesseth us. So Deut.4.39. 1 Kings 8:23. him he should have forsaken, by giving the honour, which onely belongeth to him, unto the Creatures; for both cannot be served together, see Jos.24.23. 1 Kings 18:21. Mat.4.10. etc.6.24. 2 Cor.6.16.]

29. If I have rejoiced in the oppression of my haters: [i.e. in or because of their adversity, damage, ruin, destruction. So above chap.30.24. and Prov.24.22.] and have roused up my self, [viz. Unto joy and merriment.] When the evil [viz. Of punishment, i.e. misery and adversity. See Genesis 19.on v.19.] found him [i.e. came or fell upon him. See Genesis 44.on v.34.]

30. (Also I have not suffered my palate [i.e. my tongue or mouth] to sin: so as by a curse to desire his soul.) [i.e. by wishing him dead with a curse. Oth. By wishing a curse upon his soul.]

31. If the people of my tent [i.e. house or habitation. See 2 Kings 13.on verse 5. Understand his family, men servants, and maid servants] have not said, O that we had of his flesh? We should not be satisfied. [it should seem by this, that Job was not onely given much to hospitally; but likewise entertained his guests so liberally, that he fed them with the choicest and daintiest of his flesh and meat; insomuch, that his household, wishing they might have the like daily entertainment, might come to say, O that we had, etc. Others are of opinion, that Jobs household and family feared, seeing Job so profuse in hospitality, they might in time want meat to satisfy themselves. Others hold it to be a revengeful expression of theirs against his enemies, whom they were ready to have torn in pieces, if Job would have yielded to their violent passions.]

32. The stranger lodged not upon the street: I opened my doors towards the way [i.e. right against the highway; that so I might receive and harbour the passing traveller in my house: or, before the traveller. See above 6.on verse 16.

33. If like Adam [Compare Hose.6.on verse 7. Oth. Like a man, i.e. a men use to do] I have covered my transgressions; through self-love hiding my misdeed! [Hebr. In, or with loving me, otherwise in my bosom, i.e. by my self covertly or in secret.]

34. Surely I could well have violently oppressed a great many, [viz. By my power and authority, that they should not have dared to reveal or discover my failings: so that I needed not to stand in fear of them, for any blame or but the most despised of the households [Heb. The contempt etc. i.e. those that we, least of all regarded in any family.] should have deterred me, [viz. If having trespassed, or forgot my self, I had been admonished or warned by any of them.] so that I should have been silent, and not gone forth the door. [viz.; for manners, shame: and fear-sake. Oth. Yet I have kept my self quiet; and went not forth the door?]

35. O that I had one the heard me: [i.e. if I may not be believed in what I said, let my cause come to trial, and be judged righteously; but O that I had a Judge now! Who being informed of all, would judge aright. Compare Job 9:32. and 19.23.] behold my aim is, [Heb. My token, Oth. My desire,] that the Almighty, [whom I wish above all others to be the Judge in this controversy with my friends.] would answer me; [viz. Wherefore he afflicts me thus; knowing that I am not such a one as my friends characterise me Compare above 10.2. and 13.22,23.] and that my adversary [Heb. The man of my contention] write a book. [containing the charges and accusations made against me.]

36. Should I not carry it upon my shoulder? [rejoicing threat and shewing, that having a good conscience I am sure enough, that it could contain no solid proof to convince me of hypocrisy.] I would bind it upon me (as) a Crown. [Heb. As crowns, i.e. as an extraordinary Ornament. Compare Proverbs 12.on verse 4.]

37. I would shew him [Understand his accuser, as to whom Job would be ready to discover all his course and actions, relying so firmly upon the goodness of his cause, that the adverse party should not be able to make any part of their charged good against him.] the number of my steps; [i.e. of my words and actions.] like a Prince would I draw near him. [i.e. with a very courageous and undaunted heart. Oth. As to a Prince should I draw neer him, i.e. although he were mine Enemy, nevertheless I should look upon him as a Prince, with cheerfulness, because of the assurance I have to gain the cause.]

38. If my land do cry against me, [viz. For revenge against one that had wrongfully gotten and possessed it. See the like phrase Genesis 4:10. and Hab.2.11. item see above 8.on verse 18.] and his furrows [The Hebrew word doth properly signify the raised ground or ridge between two furrows. So likewise below chap.39.23. Psalms 65:11. Hosea 10:14.] weep together.

39. If I have eaten its substance, [i.e. fruit. So Gen.4.12.] without money, and made the soul of his Husbandmen [Heb. Masters, or Lords, i.e. possessors or enjoyers.] to pant [i.e. oppressed, and overchanged them, either by fraud and deceit, or else by violence and tyranny. Or, and made (them) to blow or breath out the soul, i.e. if I was the cause of their death. Compare above 11.20.]

40. Let there come forth thistles for wheat, and stinking weed for barley [viz. By a most exemplary punishment.] The words of Job are at an end. [viz. Those which he had spoken to his friends.]