Job 31:26-27

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 31:26

If I beheld the sun when it shined - Margin, light. The Hebrew word (אור 'ôr) properly means light, but that it here means the sun is manifest from the connection, since the moon occurs in the parallel member of the sentence. Why the word light is used here rather than sun, can be only a matter of conjecture. It may be because the worship to which Job refers was not primarily and originally that of the sun, the moon, or the stars, but of light as such, and that he mentions this as the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 31:27

And my heart hath been secretly enticed - That is, away from God, or led into sin.Or my mouth hath kissed my hand - Margin, my hand hath kissed my mouth. The margin accords with the Hebrew. It was customary in ancient worship to kiss the idol that was worshipped; compare 1 Kings 19:18, “I have left me seven thousand in Israel - and every mouth which hath not kissed him.” See, also, Hosea 13:2. The Muslims at the present day, in their worship at Mecca, kiss the black stone which is fastened in... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 31:26-27

Job 31:26-27. If I beheld the sun when it shined Namely, in its full strength and glory; when it most affected men’s minds and hearts with admiration of its beauty, and of the benefits which it is instrumental in communicating to the world, and thereby moved them to worship it; or the moon walking in brightness When it shined most clearly, or was at the full, at which time especially the idolaters worshipped it. Job, in this passage, evidently speaks of the worship of the host of heaven,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Job 31:1-40

Job reaffirms his innocence (31:1-40)Once again Job examines his past life to see if, in fact, he has committed some great sin for which God is now punishing him. He readily acknowledges that God sees everything and that his punishment of sin is just. God knows that he has not been guilty even of unlawful sexual lust (31:1-4). He has not cheated others to enrich himself. If someone can prove that he has, he will gladly surrender all the produce of his fields (5-8). If he has committed adultery,... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Job 31:26

the sun = the light. read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Job 31:27

my mouth hath kissed my hand: i.e. the outward sign of homage [to, or in worship, of the sun]. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Job 31:26

26. If I looked unto the sun (as an object of worship) because he shined; or to the moon because she walked, c. Sabaism (from tsaba, "the heavenly hosts") was the earliest form of false worship. God is hence called in contradistinction, "Lord of Sabaoth." The sun, moon, and stars, the brightest objects in nature, and seen everywhere, were supposed to be visible representatives of the invisible God. They had no temples, but were worshipped on high places and roofs of houses (Ezekiel 8:16... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Job 31:27

27. enticed—away from God to idolatry. kissed . . . hand—"adoration," literally means this. In worshipping they used to kiss the hand, and then throw the kiss, as it were, towards the object of worship (1 Kings 19:18; Hosea 13:2). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Job 31:1-40

Job’s continuing innocence ch. 31As was common in ancient Near Eastern judicial cases, Job concluded his summary defense with an oath of innocence. He did so in the form of a negative confession complete with self-imprecations. [Note: Parsons, p. 141. Cf. Michael Brennan Dick, "The Legal Metaphor in Job 31," Catholic Biblical Quarterly 41 (1979):42, 47.] He concluded with a challenge to God to present His charges in writing (Job 31:35-37). Job’s idea was that if God remained silent this would... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Job 31:1-40

Job Protests the Innocence of his Past LifeJob’s virtues are those of a great Arab prince, such as are admired still: namely, blameless family life, consideration for the poor and weak, charity, modesty, and generosity concerning wealth, pure religion (according to his creed), the absence of vindictive feelings, hospitality to strangers, fearless honesty and just dealings.1-12. Sensual sins.1. I made a covenant with mine eyes] Job resolved to keep a guard over them that they should not... read more

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