New Living Translation
Job 31:23
23That would be better than facing God’s judgment. For if the majesty of God opposes me, what hope is there?
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
21“If I raised my hand against an orphan, knowing the judges would take my side, 22then let my shoulder be wrenched out of place! Let my arm be torn from its socket! That would be better than facing God’s judgment. For if the majesty of God opposes me, what hope is there? 24“Have I put my trust in money or felt secure because of my gold? 25Have I gloated about my wealth and all that I own?
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 20:23May God give them a bellyful of trouble. May God rain down his anger upon them.
- Job 21:20Let them see their destruction with their own eyes. Let them drink deeply of the anger of the Almighty.
- Genesis 39:9No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.”
- Psalms 119:120I tremble in fear of you; I stand in awe of your regulations.
- Isaiah 13:6Scream in terror, for the day of the Lord has arrived— the time for the Almighty to destroy.
- Joel 1:15The day of the Lord is near, the day when destruction comes from the Almighty. How terrible that day will be!
- 2 Corinthians 5:11Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too.
- Job 13:11Doesn’t his majesty terrify you? Doesn’t your fear of him overwhelm you?
- Job 40:9Are you as strong as God? Can you thunder with a voice like his?
- Job 42:5I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes.
- Psalms 76:7No wonder you are greatly feared! Who can stand before you when your anger explodes?
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
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