God’s Word Translation
Job 31:23
23“A disaster from God terrifies me. In the presence of his majesty I can do nothing.
Job 31:23 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.
- New International Version (NIV)For I dreaded destruction from God, and for fear of his splendor I could not do such things.
- English Standard Version (ESV)For I was in terror of calamity from God, and I could not have faced his majesty.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For destruction from God is a terror to me, And because of His magnificence I cannot endure.
Context of Job 31:23
21If I have shaken my fist at an orphan because I knew that others would back me up in court, 22⌞then⌟ let my shoulder fall out of its socket, and let my arm be broken at the elbow. “A disaster from God terrifies me. In the presence of his majesty I can do nothing. 24“If I put my confidence in gold or said to fine gold, ‘I trust you’…. 25If I enjoyed being very rich because my hand had found great ⌞wealth⌟….
Read all of Job 31Job 31:23 word by word
כִּ֤י פַ֣חַד אֵ֭לַי אֵ֣יד אֵ֑ל וּ֝מִשְּׂאֵת֗וֹ לֹ֣א אוּכָֽל׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Job 31:23
- Job 20:23Let that misery fill his belly. ⌞God⌟ throws his burning anger at the godless person and makes his wrath come down on him like rain.
- Job 21:20His eyes should see his own ruin. He should drink from the wrath of the Almighty.
- Genesis 39:9No one in this house is greater than I. He’s kept nothing back from me except you, because you’re his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”
- Psalms 119:120My body shudders in fear of you, and I am afraid of your regulations.
- Isaiah 13:6Cry loudly, for the day of the Lord is near. It will come like destruction from the Almighty.
- Joel 1:15This will be a terrible day! The day of the Lord is near, and it will come like destruction from the Almighty.
- 2 Corinthians 5:11As people who know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. God already knows what we are, and I hope that you also know what we are.
- Job 13:11Doesn’t his majesty terrify you? Doesn’t the fear of him fall upon you?
- Job 40:9Do you have power like God’s? Can you thunder with a voice like his?
- Job 42:5I had heard about you with my own ears, but now I have seen you with my own eyes.
- Psalms 76:7You alone must be feared! Who can stand in your presence when you become angry?
Commentaries on Job 31:23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23Destruction from God was a terror - I have ever been preserved from outward sin, through the fear of God's judgments; I knew his eye was constantly upon me, and I could "Never in my Judge's eye my Judge's anger dare."Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23For destruction from God was a terror to me - The destruction which God would bring upon one who was guilty of the crime here specified, awed and restrained me. He was deterred from this crime of oppressing the fatherless by the fear of God. He could have escaped the judgment of people. He had power and influence enough not to dread the penalty of human law. He could have done it in such a way as not to have been arraigned before any earthly tribunal, but…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16-23Verses 16-23 Job's conscience gave testimony concerning his just and charitable behaviour toward the poor. He is most large upon this head, because in this matter he was particularly accused. He was tender of all, and hurtful to none. Notice the principles by which Job was restrained from being uncharitable and unmerciful. He stood in awe of the Lord, as certainly against him, if he should wrong the poor. Regard to worldly interests may restrain a man…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 22-23If someone used an arm for a sinful action, having it torn from its socket would be a fitting punishment (31:21). This would be better than encountering God's judgment (compare Matthew 5:28–30).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 13-2313-23. Job affirms his freedom from unfairness towards his servants, from harshness and oppression towards the needy. despise the cause--refused to do them justice.Read the comment
Topics related to Job 31:23
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Job 31
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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