Job 31:29

Translations

Modern

If I have rejoiced in my enemy’s ruin, or exulted when evil befell him—

Traditional

If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him:

Literal

If I have rejoiced in the destruction of one hating me, or raised myself up because evil found him—

Latin

Si gavisus sum ad ruinam ejus qui me oderat, et exsultavi quod invenisset eum malum:

Original

Hebrew

English

If I have rejoiced in my enemy’s ruin, or exulted when evil befell him—

Notes

Job 31:29–30

I have rejoiced in my enemy’s ruin: See Proverbs 24:17–18; compare 2 Samuel 16:5–8.
Speaking evil against (a curse) anyone went against the spirit of the sixth commandment (Deuteronomy 5:17; see Matthew 5:21–22).
It was against God's will to seek revenge (Matthew 5:43–44; Romans 12:14; James 3:6–10; 1 Peter 3:9).

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

Proverbs 24:17–18
Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles,
Proverbs 17:5
He who mocks the poor insults their Maker; whoever gloats over calamity will not go unpunished.
Psalm 35:13–14
Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting, but my prayers returned unanswered.
Obadiah 1:12
But you should not gloat in that day, your brother’s day of misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast proudly in the day of their distress.
Psalm 35:25–26
Let them not say in their hearts, “Aha, just what we wanted!” Let them not say, “We have swallowed him up!”
2 Samuel 4:10–11
…when someone told me, ‘Look, Saul is dead,’ and thought he was a bearer of good news, I seized him and put him to death at Ziklag. That was his reward for his news!
2 Samuel 1:12
They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the people of the LORD and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.
2 Samuel 16:5–8
As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and as he approached, he kept yelling out curses.

Glossary

Book of Job

Topics

Enemies: Rejoice not at the Misfortunes of Enemy: General Scriptures Concerning Hatred: Saints should not Rejoice in the Calamities of Those Who Exhibit Integrity: General Scriptures Concerning Malice: General Scriptures Concerning Malice: Saints Avoid Temptation: Resistance To

Job 31:29

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