Job 31:24

Job 31:24

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22 Then let my arm fall from my shoulder,
Let my arm be torn from the socket.

23 For ^adestruction from God is a terror to me,
And because of His magnificence I cannot endure.

24 “If^a I have made gold my hope,
Or said to fine gold, ‘You are my confidence’;

25 ^aIf I have rejoiced because my wealth was great,
And because my hand had gained much;

26 ^aIf I have observed the¹ sun when it shines,
Or the moon moving in brightness,

27 So that my heart has been secretly enticed,
And my mouth has kissed my hand;

28 This also would be an iniquity deserving of judgment,
For I would have denied God who is above.

29 “If^a I have rejoiced at the destruction of him who hated me,
Or lifted myself up when evil found him

30 ^a(Indeed I have not allowed my mouth to sin
By asking for a curse on his¹ soul);

Commentaries:

Barnes' Notes

<< Job 31:23

Job 31:25 >>

If I have made gold my hope - That is, if I have put my trust in gold rather than in God; if I have fixed my affections with idolatrous attachment on riches rather than on my Maker. Job here introduces another class of sins, and says that his conscience did not charge him with guilt in respect to them. He had before spoken mainly of social duties, and of his manner of life toward the poor, the needy, the widow, and the orphan. He here turns to the duty which he owed to God, and says that his conscience did not charge him with idolatry in any form. He had indeed been rich, but he had not fixed his affections with idolatrous attachment on his wealth.

Or have said to fine gold - The word used here ( kethem ) is the same which is employed in Job 28:16, to denote the gold of Ophir. It is used to express that which was most pure - from the verb kâtham - to hide, to hoard, and then denoting that which was hidden, hoarded, precious. The meaning is, that he had not put his trust in that which was most sought after, and which was deemed of the highest value by people.

**Other Barnes' Notes entries containing Job 31:24:**

Job 31:38
Isaiah 13:10

<< Job 31:23

Job 31:25 >>

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