Job 31 — Tyndale Study Notes
Job.29.1-31.40
Job contrasts his former happiness, honor, and wealth (ch 29) with his loss of social dignity and divine friendship (ch 30). He concludes his speech with wide-ranging oaths of innocence (ch 31).
Job.31.1-40
Job called down curses on himself if he were guilty of the accusations made against him. Except for his mention of idolatry (31:26-27), Job addressed his fidelity to God in terms of the second half of the Ten Commandments, summarized by the command to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev 19:18; Rom 13:9).
Job.31.1
Job’s covenant with his eyes included a self-cursing oath (cp. Matt 5:28-29). Perhaps lust of the eyes was at the head of Job’s list because the eye is the first instrument of sin (Gen 3:6).
To look with lust at a young woman violates the spirit of the seventh (Deut 5:18, see Matt 5:27-28), and potentially the tenth (Deut 5:21), commandment.
Job.31.5-8
If Job had lied to anyone as part of a business deal, it would violate the eighth commandment (Deut 5:19); if it occurred in court, it would violate the ninth (Deut 5:20). This sin would merit fiery judgment (Rev 21:8).
If Job lusted for what his eyes had seen, he would violate the tenth commandment (Deut 5:21).
then let someone else eat: This was a self-curse.
Job.31.9-10
Whether she seduced him or he waited for her (24:15-16), if Job lusted for his neighbor’s wife he would break the seventh (Deut 5:18, Matt 5:27-28) and tenth (Deut 5:21) commandments.
serve: Literally grind for. This might refer to servitude (Exod 11:5) or to sexual intercourse.
Job.31.11
The Hebrew term zimmah (shameful sin) is associated with sexual crimes such as incest (“wicked act,” Lev 18:17), gang-rape (“terrible . . . crime,” Judg 20:6), and prostitution (Ezek 23:49).
Job.31.12
The association of fire with hell or the grave is rare in the Old Testament (cp. Deut 32:22).
Job.31.13-15
unfair to . . . servants: This might refer to violations of the fourth commandment (Deut 5:12-15).
God created both me and my servants: Job extended the implications of being created in God’s image to the poor (Prov 14:31; 22:2) and even to slaves.
Job.31.21
knowing the judges would take my side: Job was respected and regarded as a member of the elite class (29:7-10).
Job.31.22-23
If an arm was used in sinful action (31:21), having it torn from its socket would be a fitting punishment and better than facing God’s judgment (cp. Matt 5:28-30).
Job.31.24
Have I put my trust in . . . my gold: Job left the consequence of this oath unstated because the if-then pattern was now established (31:5-23). He rejected Eliphaz’s implied judgment (22:24-25; see Pss 52:7; 62:10; 1 Tim 6:10, 17).
Job.31.25
gloated about my wealth: See Deut 8:17-18; cp. Isa 10:12-14; Dan 4:28-30; Hos 12:8.
Job.31.26-28
Like adultery (cp. 31:1, 9-12), worshiping the sun and moon was a capital crime. Both were sins of the eye that enticed the heart, and both types of sin were tried before judges.
Job.31.26
Have I looked at the sun . . . or the moon: This oath denies violation (cp. Jer 8:2; 44:17; Ezek 8:16; Acts 7:43) of the first commandment (Deut 5:7; see Deut 4:19; 17:2-7).
Job.31.27
secretly enticed in my heart: See 31:9.
throw kisses at them in worship: Cp. 1 Kgs 19:18; Hos 13:2.
Job.31.28
In Israel, the judges (see 31:11) were to punish idol worship by execution (Deut 17:2-7).
Denying the God of heaven violated the first commandment (Deut 5:7).
Job.31.29-30
rejoiced when disaster struck my enemies: See Prov 24:17-18; cp. 2 Sam 16:5-8.
Cursing anyone violated the spirit of the sixth commandment (Deut 5:17; see Matt 5:21-22).
It was against God’s will to ask for revenge (Matt 5:43-44; Rom 12:14; Jas 3:6-10; 1 Pet 3:9).
Job.31.31-32
never turned away a stranger: The Old Testament values hospitality (Gen 18:1-13; 19:2-3; Judg 19:20-21), and the New Testament commands it (Matt 25:35; Rom 12:13; 1 Tim 3:2; Heb 13:2; 1 Pet 4:9).
Job.31.35
sign my name: Job wanted to make the proceedings official (19:23-24).
Job.31.36
face the accusation proudly (literally carry it on my shoulder; cp. Exod 28:12; Isa 22:22): He would take full responsibility for his actions.
Job.31.37
A prince who had been wrongly accused had the right to come before his king to make an appeal.
Job.31.38
The land was the chief witness to crimes committed upon it (20:27; see Gen 4:10; cp. Jas 5:4).
Job.31.40
let thistles grow: Job’s curse on himself echoed God’s primal curse on Adam (Gen 3:17-18; cp. Isa 7:25; Zeph 2:9).