New King James Version
Job 31:23
23For destruction from God is a terror to me, And because of His magnificence I cannot endure.
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 Living Translation (NLT)That would be better than facing God’s judgment. For if the majesty of God opposes me, what hope is there?
Context of Job 31:23
21If I have raised my hand against the fatherless, When I saw I had help in the gate; 22Then let my arm fall from my shoulder, Let my arm be torn from the socket. For destruction from God is a terror to me, And because of His magnificence I cannot endure. 24“If I have made gold my hope, Or said to fine gold, ‘You are my confidence’; 25If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, And because my hand had gained much;
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.
People and places in Job 31:23
Cross-references for Job 31:23
- Job 20:23When he is about to fill his stomach, God will cast on him the fury of His wrath, And will rain it on him while he is eating.
- Job 21:20Let his eyes see his destruction, And let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
- Genesis 39:9There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”
- Psalms 119:120My flesh trembles for fear of You, And I am afraid of Your judgments.
- Isaiah 13:6Wail, for the day of the Lord is at hand! It will come as destruction from the Almighty.
- Joel 1:15Alas for the day! For the day of the Lord is at hand; It shall come as destruction from the Almighty.
- 2 Corinthians 5:11Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.
- Job 13:11Will not His excellence make you afraid, And the dread of Him fall upon you?
- Job 40:9Have you an arm like God? Or can you thunder with a voice like His?
- Job 42:5“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You.
- Psalms 76:7You, Yourself, are to be feared; And who may stand in Your presence When once You are 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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries