Job 31:28

Translations

Modern

…this would also be an iniquity to be judged, for I would have denied God on high.

Traditional

This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.

Literal

…then this also be judged an iniquity, for I would have lied to God above.

Latin

…quæ est iniquitas maxima, et negatio contra Deum altissimum.

Original

Hebrew

English

…this would also be an iniquity to be judged, for I would have denied God on high.

Notes

Job 31:28

In Israel, the role of judges was to punish those worshiping idols (false gods) by execution (see 31:11; Deuteronomy 17:2–7).
Denying God on high violated the first commandment (Deuteronomy 5:7).

Job 31:26–28

The sins of adultery and worshiping the sun and moon had the death penalty (compare 31:1, 9–12). Both were sins that tempted the inner being of a person through the eyes. Judges tried both types of sin in court.

Job 31:1–40

Job called down wrong against himself (curses) if he was guilty of the accusations against him. Apart from mentioning idolatry (worship of false gods), Job spoke about how loyal he was to God by focusing on the second half of the Ten Commandments (31:26–27). The summary of these is: “love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18; Romans 13:9).

Job 29:1–31:40

Job compares his past happiness, honor, and wealth with his current loss of social dignity and divine friendship (chapters 29 and 30). He ends his speech with broad vows of innocence (chapter 31).

Theme notes and profiles

Job’s Innocence

Events

Job's Trial

Related verses

Deuteronomy 17:2–7
If a man or woman among you in one of the towns that the LORD your God gives you is found doing evil in the sight of the LORD your God by transgressing His covenant
Job 31:11
For that would be a heinous crime, an iniquity to be judged.
Psalm 50:6
And the heavens proclaim His righteousness, for God Himself is Judge. Selah
Judges 11:27
I have not sinned against you, but you have done me wrong by waging war against me. May the LORD, the Judge, decide today between the Israelites and the Ammonites.”
Job 9:15
For even if I were right, I could not answer. I could only beg my Judge for mercy.
Deuteronomy 17:9
You are to go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who presides at that time. Inquire of them, and they will give you a verdict in the case.
Joshua 24:27
And Joshua said to all the people, “You see this stone. It will be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words the LORD has spoken to us, and it will be a witness against you if you ever deny your God.”
Joshua 24:23
“Now, therefore,” he said, “get rid of the foreign gods among you and incline your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel.”
Genesis 18:25
Far be it from You to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?”
Job 23:7
Then an upright man could reason with Him, and I would be delivered forever from my Judge.
Proverbs 30:9
Otherwise, I may have too much and deny You, saying, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, profaning the name of my God.
2 Peter 2:1
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.

People

LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Glossary

Book of Job

Topics

Covetousness: General Scriptures Concerning Hope of the Wicked Idolatry: Denunciations Against Idolatry: Objects of Sun, Moon, and Stars Integrity: General Scriptures Concerning Riches: Guilt of Rejoicing In Riches: Guilt of Trusting In Sun: Worshiped Temptation: Resistance To The Moon: Worshipping of Condemned As Atheism The Rich: General Scriptures Concerning

Job 31:28

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Events?

Related verses?

People

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

Glossary

Topics