31:1 a covenant with my eyes Job’s proclamation of his innocence includes not just his actions but his thoughts. Not only has he not committed adultery (vv. 9–12), but he has not even lusted after a woman.

31:2 is the portion of God Both Job and his friends have discussed the negative “portion” and “heritage” the wicked receive from God (20:29; 27:13). Job is well aware of the consequences of sin.

31:3 disaster for the evil one Job identifies the results of sin as calamity and disaster. However, Job previously questioned whether that punishment was consistently carried out (21:17, 30). He also felt he received this punishment even though he was innocent (v. 23). Compare 4:6 and note.

31:4 Does he not see my ways Job affirms that God knows his actions, so He should know of Job’s innocence. Compare 10:12 and 10:14–20.

31:5 falseness The Hebrew word shawe (“deceitful” or “worthless”) was also used by Zophar when he accused Job of being a “worthless” man (see note on 11:11).

31:6 let him weigh me in the balance of justice Since he has not practiced deceit, Job wishes to be judged by a just or truthful scale, which is described elsewhere as the delight of Yahweh (see Prov 11:1).

let God know my blamelessness An honest judgment of Job would reveal his integrity. Job has maintained his integrity throughout his suffering (Job 2:9; 4:6–8; 9:21; 10:7; 16:17; 27:5).

31:8 let another eat Job’s first curse is on his work and fields. Sowing a field but having others enjoy the benefits was one of the curses on Israel for breaking the law (see Lev 26:16).

31:9 at my neighbor’s doorway I have lain in wait Like the adulterer waiting for darkness in Job 24:15.

31:10 let my wife grind Job’s curse here is directly related to the sin it accompanies. If Job was guilty of adultery, then he asks that his wife be taken from him. As with the previous curse (v. 8), this connects to the curses pronounced on those who disobey the law (Deut 28:30).

31:12 Abaddon The Hebrew word used here, avaddon, often transliterated in English as Abaddon, refers to the underworld—the realm of the dead. It references a place that is dismal, characterized by ruin, perishing, or destruction. For this reason, some modern translations render the Hebrew word avaddon “Destruction,” which is how ancient translations understood it. Job is saying that adultery is like a fire that consumes everything, all the way to Abaddon.

31:13 complaint was against me Job justly respected any cause or complaint his servants brought to him. Perhaps Job—whom God described as His “servant” (Job 1:8; 2:3)—was making a veiled accusation toward God for failing to respond to his complaint (10:2–7).

31:15 not he who made me in the womb make them Job showed compassion to his servants partly because they were created the same way he was (Prov 22:2; Mal 2:10). Where the law advocates kindness to servants (Deut 15:16), it also reminds the people of Israel that they had been slaves.

31:16 the desire of the poor Job reemphasizes his generous treatment of the poor (see Job 29:12–17). Eliphaz accused Job of mistreating and oppressing the poor (22:5–9).

31:18 from my childhood Job asserts that he has taken care of widows and orphans his entire life.

31:22 let my arm be broken from its socket Symbolizes destruction of strength (compare Psa 37:17; Jer 48:25). This curse is directly related to the actions described by Job: If he ever raised his hand against orphans (Job 31:21), his arm should be broken.

31:24 I have made gold my trust Job was a very wealthy person (1:3). However, he demonstrated trust in God by blessing God after his wealth was destroyed (1:21).

31:26 the sun when it shone Job denies ever worshiping the sun or moon—a common form of idolatry (e.g., Deut 4:19; 2 Kgs 23:11; Ezek 8:16). The “sun” and the “moon” were also considered gods.

31:28 to be judged The punishment for idolatry in the law was death by stoning (Deut 17:2–5).

I have deceived God above Regardless of the punishment, Job denies he would ever consider idolatry—doing so would be to deny God (Isa 59:13).

31:29 the ruin of the one who hated me Job denies celebrating his enemies’ misfortune—something warned against in Proverbs (Prov 24:17–18).

31:33 hide my iniquity Job denies ever hiding any sin (Prov 28:13). He has confessed—not concealed—any wrongdoing he was guilty of (Job 7:21; 13:26).

31:34 I dreaded the great multitude Job offers reasons why people conceal their sin. Earlier Job described that the wicked use darkness to hide their deeds (24:13–17).

31:35 O that I had someone hearing me Job once more begs God to answer him (see 5:8; 7:21 and note).

Here is my signature Job personally signs the oath of innocence he has been making. Throughout his speeches, Job used legal terminology in requesting an answer from God (9:3–24; 13:13–27; 23:2–7; see note on 9:3). Now, having finished his defense, he officially signs his testimony. All that remains is God’s response.

31:40 let thorns grow in place of wheat Job pronounces one more curse: If he has abused the land, the land should return the favor by producing weeds instead of crops.

The words of Job are ended Job’s speeches are now complete (Psa 72:20; Jer 51:64). While he twice responds briefly to God’s speeches (Job 40:4–5; 42:2–6), Job voices no major speeches in the book’s remaining 11 chapters.