Keraia
Job 31

Job 31:40

Job’s Final Appeal · Job 31:1–40
Read Job 31

Translations

Modern
…then let briers grow instead of wheat and stinkweed instead of barley.” Thus conclude the words of Job.
Traditional
Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.
Literal
…then in place of the wheat let a thorn come forth, and weeds in place of barley.” The words of Job have ended.
Latin
…pro frumento oriatur mihi tribulus, et pro hordeo spina. Finita sunt verba Job.

Original

Hebrew
English
…then let briers grow instead of wheat and stinkweed instead of barley.” Thus conclude the words of Job.

Notes

Job 31:40

let briers grow: Job cursed himself (spoke evil against himself), echoing when God first "cursed" Adam (Genesis 3:17–18; see also Isaiah 7:25; Zephaniah 2:9).

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

People

Job: A righteous man who endured great suffering

Glossary

Book of Job Cockle Thistle, Thorn

Topics

Cockle: A General Term for Obnoxious Plants Integrity: General Scriptures Concerning Poor: Kindness To by Job Temptation: Resistance To Thistle: A Noxious Plant