Job 31:8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 31:1-8

The lusts of the flesh, and the love of the world, are the two fatal rocks on which multitudes split; against these Job protests he was always careful to stand upon his guard. I. Against the lusts of the flesh. He not only kept himself clear from adultery, from defiling his neighbour's wives (Job 31:9), but from all lewdness with any women whatsoever. He kept no concubine, no mistress, but was inviolably faithful to the marriage bed, though his wife was none of the wisest, best, or kindest.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 31:8

Then let me sow, and another eat ,.... If what he had before said was not true; but he had turned out of the way of righteousness, and walked after the sight of his eyes, and the mammon of unrighteousness cleaved to his hands; then he wishes might sow his fields, and another enjoy the increase of them, which is one of God's judgments threatened unto the wicked and disobedient, Leviticus 26:16 ; let my offspring be rooted out ; but Job had no offspring or children at this time to be... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 31:8

Let me sow, and let another eat - Let me be plagued both in my circumstances and in my family. My offspring be rooted out - It has already appeared probable that all Job's children were not destroyed in the fall of the house mentioned Job 1:18 , Job 1:19 . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 31:1-40

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 31:1-40

Job's second parable: 4. A solemn protestation of innocence. I. WITH RESPECT TO THE LAW OF CHASTITY . (Verses 1-4.) 1 . The wickedness he eschewed. Not alone the crime of seduction, or the actual defilement of virginal innocence, but even the indulgence of so much as a lascivious desire in connection with an unmarried female, was an ungodliness which Job regarded with abhorrence and indignation. Job's morality on this point, as also upon some others, is a remarkable... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 31:1-40

Solemn assurances of innocence. Job can discover no connection between his present sufferings and those well-founded hopes of his former life to which he has been referring; but there remains the assumption of his guilt as an explanation. In his intense longing for redemption he is led, in conclusion, to affirm in the most solemn and sacred manner his innocence, invoking the sorest punishments upon himself if his words are untrue. Thus, in effect, he makes a final appeal to God as his Judge.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 31:1-40

The consciousness of integrity. The Divine solution of the riddle of human life is being wrought out in this poem, although at times it seems as though the entanglement became more and more confused. The case, as put in these three chapters, is the condensation of all as far as it has gone. It still awaits the solution. Job was in riches, dignity, and honour; he is now cast down to ignominy and suffering. Yet he is righteous—this, at least, is his own conviction; and in this chapter he makes... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 31:8

Then let me sow, and let another eat (comp. Job 5:5 ; Le 26:16; Deuteronomy 28:33 , Deuteronomy 28:51 , etc.). The expression is proverbial. Yea, lot my offspring be rooted out; rather, my produce , or the produce of my field (see the Revised Version). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 31:8

Then let me sow, and let another eat - This is the imprecation which he invokes, in case he had been guilty in this respect. He consented to sow his fields, and let others enjoy the harvest. The expression used here is common in the Scriptures to denote insecurity of property or calamity in general; see Leviticus 26:16 : “And ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it;” compare Deuteronomy 28:30; Amos 9:13-14.Yea, let my offspring be rooted out - Or, rather, “Let what I plant... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 31:7-8

Job 31:7-8. If my step hath turned out of the way If I have knowingly and willingly swerved from the way of truth and justice, which God hath prescribed to me; and my heart walked after mine eyes A strong and beautiful expression, signifying, if my eyes have seduced my heart. If I have let my heart loose to desire forbidden objects, which my eyes have seen. Commonly sin enters by the eye into the heart: thus David, letting his heart walk after his eyes, was led into the sin, first, of... read more

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