Job 31

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 31:31

If the men of my tent said not , Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied. A very obscure passage, but probably to be connected with the following verse, in which Job boasts of his hospitality. Translate, If the men of my tent did not say , Who can find a man that has not been satisfied with his meat? The apodosis is wanting, as in verse 28. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 31:32

The stranger did not lodge in the street ; i.e. "I did not suffer any stranger who came under my notice to lodge in the street, but, like Abraham ( Genesis 18:2-8 ), went out to him, and invited him in, to partake of my hospitality." This is still the practice of Arab sheikhs in Syria, Palestine, and the adjacent countries. But I opened my doors to the traveller ; literally, to the way ; i.e. "my house gave on the street, and I kept my house door open." Compare the Mishna, "Let thy... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 31:33

If I covered my transgressions as Adam ; or, after the manner of men It does not seem to me likely that Job had such a knowledge of Adam's conduct in the garden of Eden as would have made an allusion to it in this place natural or probable. The religious traditions of the Chaldees, which note the war in heaven, the Deluge, the building of the Tower of Babel, and the confusion of tongues, contain no mention of Adam or of Paradise. Nor. so far as I am aware, is there, among other ancient... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 31:33-34

The shame of public exposure. Job asks whether he has hidden his sin, and shrunk from public exposure for fear of the multitude? On the contrary, he has been frank and fearless, daring to face the world because he is true and honest. I. THE GUILTY MAN IS AFRAID OF PUBLIC EXPOSURE . This is a common feeling. It is "after the manner of men." It was seen in Adam hiding in the garden. Shame follows sin. Guilt creates cowardice. He who held his head aloft in his innocence... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 31:34

Did I fear a great multitude! rather, because I feared the great multitude ' or the great assembly ; i.e . the gathering of the people in the gate on occasions of public business. It' Job had been conscious of any great and heinous sins ' he would not have led the open and public life which, previously to his calamities, he had always led ( Job 29:7-10 , Job 29:21-25 ); he would have been afraid to make his appearance at public meetings, lest his sins should have become... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 31:35

Oh that one would hear me! i.e. Oh that I had an opportunity of plea, ling my cause before a just judge l of having charges openly brought against me, and having "one" to hear my reply to them! Job does not regard his "comforters" as such persons. They are prejudiced; they have even made themselves his accusers. Behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me ; rather, behold ' here is my signature I let the Almighty answer me. This passage is parenthetic. Job would prefer to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 31:35

The indictment. Job desires something like a legal indictment. His experience suggests confusion, uncertainty, irregularity. He sets "his mark," and now he wants his Adversary—who, to Job's thought, can be none other than his Judge, God—to draw up an indictment that he may know once for all what charges are brought against him. I. MAN CANNOT UNDERSTAND GOD 'S DEALINGS WITH HIM . This thought repeatedly recurs in the Book of Job; it is one of the great lessons of the poem.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 31:36

Surely I would take it upon my shoulder —the place of honour (see Isaiah 9:6 ; Isaiah 22:22 )—and bind it as a crown to me; i.e. adorn my head with it, as with a diadem. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 31:37

I would declare unto him the number of my steps ; i.e. I would conceal nothing. I would willingly divulge every act of my life. I would make full and complete answer to the indictment in every particular. As a prince would I go near unto him . There should be no timidity or cringing on my part. I would face my accuser boldly, and bear myself as a prince in his presence. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 31:38

If my land cry against me ; i.e. if my land disclaim my ownership, as having been acquired by wrong or robbery. If the furrows likewise thereof complain; or, weep, as having been torn from their rightful proprietors, and seized by a stranger. The apodosis is in Job 31:40 . read more

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