Job 31

1. I made a covenant with mine eyes. He who knows his own heart will not only watch its feelings, but will also guard every avenue of temptation.

why then should I think? Rather, “how then should I look?”

2. For what portion of God is there from above? Or, “What is [would be] the portion of God from above, and the inheritance,” etc.; i.e., if I had indulged wanton thoughts?

3 a strange punishment. Or, “and estrangement,” i.e., from God’s favour.

5 to deceit. The connexion (see vers. 1, 9) suggests especially the hateful artifices of the seducer.

8 my offspring. Rather, “my productions”; i.e., the produce of my ground.

10 grind unto another. i.e., “become another man’s slave.”

12 consumeth to destruction. Heb., “to Abaddon.” So fearful are the effects of licentiousness.

16 the eyes of the widow to fall. Being disappointed of my help.

18. I have guided her. That is, the widow (16). Some regard 16, 17 as a question, to which 18 is the answer. But it is more natural to suppose that Job’s earnestness led him to interpose a parenthetic assertion (18) before he had finished his sentence.

21 when I saw my help in the gate. i.e., when I knew that my intimacy with the judges would secure for me impunity.

22 let mine arm fall, etc. “Let my shoulder fall from its socket.”

26 by reason of His highness, etc. Rather, “and on account of His majesty I am powerless.”

27 my mouth hath kissed my hand. Wafting kisses was an ancient mode of expressing veneration: ep. I Kings xix. 18; Psa. ii. 12; Hos. xiii. 2. The worship of the heavenly bodies was one of the earliest forms of idolatry.

29. If I rejoiced, etc. The sentiment of this verse is in beautiful accordance with the teaching of the New Testament.

31. Oh that we had of his flesh! etc. Rather, “Who can show [a person who] is not satisfied with his food?”

33 as Adam. R.V. marg.: “after the manner of men.” Moffatt: “from men.”

35. Oh that one would hear me! etc. The terms of this verse are all judicial, and are best rendered thus: “Oh that I had one to hear me! Lo! this is my mark (or signature); let the Almighty reply to me; and let my opponent write an accusation!” or, as R.V., “and that I had the indictment which my adversary hath written!”

37. As a prince. That is, “boldly”; “freely.” This shows a confidence in God’s justice and a consciousness of his own rectitude. It is thought by the best commentators that this solemn avowal of Job’s willingness to meet God in judgement is the true conclusion of his speech, the verses that follow having been misplaced in transcription. The latter undoubtedly fall naturally into the long series of challenges by which the patriarch vindicates his conduct, and should perhaps follow ver. 22.

38. If my land cry against me. Having been wrested from its owners (39).

40 thistles. Or, “thorns.” “Cockle,” i.e., weeds.