Job 31:35

Fifth strophe The statement he has made, Job would dare to sign in the presence of God, and carry about as a triumphant declaration that he has not been guilty of deceit and hypocrisy. Nor, in conclusion, has he been guilty of the certain nameless sin which his friends had cowardly insinuated, but dared not mention. See note, Job 13:23.

In view of the infliction of a like curse upon Adam because of his sin, (compare Job 31:40; Job 31:33 with Genesis 3:17-18,) the final imprecation of a curse upon the ground, his widespread domain, which was his only remaining wealth, forms a pre-eminent climax to Job’s defence, and more especially to this series of imprecations, Job 31:35-40.

35. The most probable reading is, Oh that I had one who would hear me! Behold my signature! Let the Almighty answer me.

My desire תוי , tavi: literally, my sign, ( tav,) as in the margin. Compare Ezekiel 9:4. In the opinion of some this mark was cruciform, as in the Phoenician letter Taw, which, being the last of the letters, served as the signature of the alphabet. Job now declares that he is ready to sign all the protestations he has just made. The ancient Egyptian courts required the accused to sign his reply. Mine adversary, etc. Some read, “Oh that I had the charge mine adversary had written!” Comp. Job 19:23. Job speaks of God, who he assumes has “written bitter things against him,” Job 13:26. Job has made his statement; conscious of his innocence, he would now see the divine statement. With the ancient Egyptian it was necessary that the charge of the accuser should be a written one, and read in open court. If it were not that Job, like all human beings, was frail and sinful, this challenge of God to judgment, with which he crowns his defence, would partake of the morally sublime. “Bolder words than these Job had not uttered in the whole dispute. These provoked Elihu to renew the debate; and these are the expressions for which the Almighty chiefly reprimanded him.” Michaelis on Lowth.

Book See note on Job 19:23.