Job 31:11
Job 31:11 in Multiple Translations
For that would be a heinous crime, an iniquity to be judged.
For this is an heinous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges.
For that were a heinous crime; Yea, it were an iniquity to be punished by the judges:
For that would be a crime; it would be an act for which punishment would be measured out by the judges:
For that would be wicked, a sin deserving punishment,
For this is a wickednes, and iniquitie to bee condemned:
For it [is] a wicked thing, and a judicial iniquity;
For that would be a heinous crime. Yes, it would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges,
For this is a hainous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges.
For this is a heinous crime, and a most grievous iniquity.
For me to do that would be a terrible sin, and the judges would decide that I should be punished.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 31:11
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 31:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כִּי
הוא
הִ֥יא
זִמָּ֑ה
ו/היא
וְ֝/ה֗וּא
עָוֺ֥ן
פְּלִילִֽים
כִּי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
הוא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
הִ֥יא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
זִמָּ֑ה
zimmâh
H2154
wickedness
N-fs
ו/היא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Conj | Pron
וְ֝/ה֗וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Conj | Pron
עָוֺ֥ן
ʻâvôn
H5771
iniquity
N-cs
פְּלִילִֽים
pâlîyl
H6414
judge
N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 31:11
כִּי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
הוא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
הִ֥יא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
זִמָּ֑ה
zimmâh
H2154
"wickedness"
N-fs
This Hebrew word refers to a wicked or evil plan, and can include things like adultery, incest, and idolatry. It is used to describe the bad intentions or schemes of people in the Bible.
Definition: 1) plan, device, wickedness, evil plan, mischievous purpose 1a) plan, purpose 1b) evil device, wickedness 1c) not chaste, incest, licentiousness, adultery, idolatry, harlotry
Usage: Occurs in 27 OT verses. KJV: heinous crime, lewd(-ly, -ness), mischief, purpose, thought, wicked (device, mind, -ness). See also: Leviticus 18:17; Ezekiel 16:27; Psalms 26:10.
ו/היא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Conj | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
וְ֝/ה֗וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Conj | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
עָוֺ֥ן
ʻâvôn
H5771
"iniquity"
N-cs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means moral evil or sin, like the kind God sees in people's hearts. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Psalms. This concept is key to understanding human nature.
Definition: : crime 1) perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity 1a) iniquity 1b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition) 1c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity
Usage: Occurs in 215 OT verses. KJV: fault, iniquity, mischeif, punishment (of iniquity), sin. See also: Genesis 4:13; Psalms 107:17; Psalms 18:24.
פְּלִילִֽים
pâlîyl
H6414
"judge"
N-mp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a judge or magistrate, like those in the book of Exodus. It refers to someone who makes decisions and settles disputes. This word is used to describe leaders in Israel.
Definition: judge, assessment, estimate
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: judge. See also: Exodus 21:22; Deuteronomy 32:31; Job 31:11.
Study Notes — Job 31:11
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 31:11 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 31:11
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 31:11
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 31:11
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 31:11
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 31:11
- Cambridge Bible on Job 31:11
- Barnes' Notes on Job 31:11
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 31:11
- Sermons on Job 31:11
Context — Job’s Final Appeal
9If my heart has been enticed by my neighbor’s wife, or I have lurked at his door,
10then may my own wife grind grain for another, and may other men sleep with her.
11For that would be a heinous crime, an iniquity to be judged.
12For it is a fire that burns down to Abaddon; it would root out my entire harvest. 13If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or maidservant when they made a complaint against me,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 20:10 | If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress must surely be put to death. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 22:22–24 | If a man is found lying with another man’s wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel. If there is a virgin pledged in marriage to a man, and another man encounters her in the city and sleeps with her, you must take both of them out to the gate of that city and stone them to death—the young woman because she did not cry out in the city, and the man because he has violated his neighbor’s wife. So you must purge the evil from among you. |
| 3 | Job 31:28 | this would also be an iniquity to be judged, for I would have denied God on high. |
| 4 | Genesis 38:24 | About three months later, Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has prostituted herself, and now she is pregnant.” “Bring her out!” Judah replied. “Let her be burned to death!” |
| 5 | Genesis 26:10 | “What is this you have done to us?” asked Abimelech. “One of the people could easily have slept with your wife, and you would have brought guilt upon us.” |
| 6 | Genesis 20:9 | Then Abimelech called Abraham and asked, “What have you done to us? How have I sinned against you, that you have brought such tremendous guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should not be done.” |
| 7 | Proverbs 6:29–33 | So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished. Men do not despise the thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger. Yet if caught, he must pay sevenfold; he must give up all the wealth of his house. He who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself. Wounds and dishonor will befall him, and his reproach will never be wiped away. |
| 8 | Ezekiel 16:38 | And I will sentence you to the punishment of women who commit adultery and those who shed blood; so I will bring upon you the wrath of your bloodshed and jealousy. |
| 9 | Exodus 20:14 | You shall not commit adultery. |
| 10 | Genesis 39:9 | No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?” |
Job 31:11 Summary
This verse means that Job considers it a very serious sin to commit adultery, and he believes that God would judge him for it, as seen in Job 31:11. He takes sin very seriously and wants to live a life that is pleasing to God, which is a great example for us to follow, as encouraged in 1 Peter 1:15-16. We can learn from Job's attitude towards sin and strive to live a life of integrity and purity, just like he did. By doing so, we can avoid the consequences of sin and live a life that is pleasing to God, as seen in Romans 6:23.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of crime is Job referring to in this verse?
Job is referring to the crime of adultery, which he considers to be a heinous crime, as seen in Job 31:11, and is warned against in other scriptures such as Proverbs 6:32 and Exodus 20:17.
Why does Job consider this crime to be so serious?
Job considers this crime to be serious because it is not only a sin against his neighbor, but also against God, as seen in Psalm 51:4, and would bring judgment upon him, as stated in Job 31:11.
How does this verse relate to the concept of justice?
This verse relates to the concept of justice because it shows that Job believes that his actions would be judged, not just by man, but by God, as seen in Romans 2:16 and Hebrews 4:13, and that he would be held accountable for his sins.
What can we learn from Job's attitude towards sin in this verse?
We can learn from Job's attitude that sin is to be taken seriously, and that we should strive to live a life of integrity and purity, as encouraged in 1 Thessalonians 4:7 and 2 Corinthians 7:1.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I may be tempted to compromise my integrity, and how can I guard against this?
- How do I view sin, and do I take it as seriously as Job does in this verse?
- What are some ways that I can cultivate a deeper sense of reverence for God's law, as seen in Psalm 119:161?
- How can I apply the principle of Job 31:11 to my own life, and what are some practical steps I can take to avoid sin and live a life of purity?
Gill's Exposition on Job 31:11
For this [is] an heinous crime,.... Adultery; it is contrary to the light of nature, and is condemned by it as a great sin, Genesis 20:9; as well as contrary to the express will and law of God,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 31:11
If mine heart have been deceived by a woman, or if I have laid wait at my neighbour's door; Job asserts his innocence of adultery. Deceived - hath let itself be seduced (Proverbs 7:8, etc.; Genesis 39:7-12).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 31:11
To wit, adultery, whether committed by choice and design, or by the solicitation of the woman, . Heb. an iniquity of the judges, i.e. which belongs to them to take cognizance of, and to punish, and that with death; and that not only by the law of Moses, , but even by the law of nature, as appears from the known laws and customs of heathen nations in that case. See also . This is opposed to those secret and lesser sins, which are only known to and punished by God.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 31:11
Job 31:11 For this [is] an heinous crime; yea, it [is] an iniquity [to be punished by] the judges.Ver. 11. For this is an heinous crime] Hoc enim grande flagitium est, so the Tigurines translate; for this is a wickedness with a witness, though counted by some a light offence, a peccadillo. The Popish priests, deeply guilty of it themselves, seldom cried out against it in their sermons; this the great ones, and others, observed; and, therefore, ran into it, as if it had been a venial sin, if any sin at all. But we have not so learned Christ; and there was once found an English bishop (Adelm, elect bishop of Sherborn, A.D. 705) who boldly and sharply reproved Pope Sergius to his face for this foul sin (Godwin. Catal. p. 333). Joseph calleth it a great wickedness, Genesis 39:9, because a breach of the bond of loyalty, which cannot but be treachery; as also because it destroys society and the purity of posterity, stealing sometimes an heir into the estate. Yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges] Since it is a theft of that which is most precious and most peculiar to the owner; as Joseph told his mistress, Genesis 39:9; the suspicion or jealousy of it raiseth the rage of a man to such a height that it will not be allayed without revenge, Proverbs 6:34-35. Some render it, iniquitas iudicata, an iniquity already adjudged capital. The Hebrew hath it, an iniquity of the judges; that is, that which judges should severely punish. Before the law Tamar was to have been burnt for it, Genesis 38:24, as under the law the high priest’ s daughter, Leviticus 21:9.
Ahab and Zedekiah were roasted in the fire for this offence by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, Jeremiah 29:22-23. Some think that these two were the elders that assaulted Susanna. The Egyptians cut off the harlot’ s nose, and the adulterer’ s members. Ezekiel, Ezekiel 23:25, alludeth to this custom. The Locrians pulled out their eyes. The Julian law, among the Romans, adjudged them to die; and Jerome saith this law was yet in force in his time; but the poet complaineth that, for want of due execution, it lay dormant, Lex Iulia dormit; as many other good laws do by the baseness and partiality of the judges, such as were those Athenian judges, who, having before them Phryne, that notable strumpet, were about to pass sentence of death upon her; but when her advocate, Hyperides, had opened her bosom, and showed them her beautiful breasts to move them to mercy, they acquitted her, and let her go (Plutarch, Vit. 10; Rhetor. in Hyper.). In like sort also they dealt with the dame of Smyrna, whom they appointed to appear some hundred years after.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 31:11
Verse 11. For this is a heinous crime] Mr. Good translates, "For this would be a premeditated crime, And a profligacy of the understanding." See also Job 31:28. That is, It would not only be a sin against the individuals more particularly concerned, but a sin of the first magnitude against society; and one of which the civil magistrate should take particular cognizance, and punish as justice requires.
Cambridge Bible on Job 31:11
11. a heinous crime] Or, an enormity, Hosea 6:9 marg.; cf. Leviticus 18:17. Adultery was a capital crime in Israel, Deuteronomy 22:22; John 8:5.
Barnes' Notes on Job 31:11
For this is an heinous crime - This expresses Job’s sense of the enormity of such an offence. He felt that there was no palliation for it; he would in no way, and on no pretence, attempt to vindicate it.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 31:11
11. A heinous crime — æîä, the usual Thorah word for the shameless, subtle encroachments of sensual desires.
Sermons on Job 31:11
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
003 Joseph Was a Righteous Man by David Servant | This sermon delves into the genealogy of Jesus Christ, emphasizing his credentials as the Messiah through his lineage from Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, and David. It highlights th |
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Moral Purity by Ralph Shallis | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the topic of sex and its significance in the Bible. He emphasizes that sex was originally created by God as a good and beautiful thing, but du |
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The Limits of God's Grace by David Servant | David Servant preaches on the true biblical concept of grace, using the story of Jesus' encounter with the woman caught in adultery to illustrate that grace is not a license to sin |
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Neither Do I Condemn You by John Piper | This sermon delves into a controversial passage in the Bible, discussing the authenticity and significance of the story of the woman caught in adultery. It explores the scholarly d |
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(Genesis) Genesis 38:24-26 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not being concerned with the size of the crowd when preaching the word of God. He believes that if the word of God is given |
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(Genesis) 54 - Judah and the Messianic Succession by S. Lewis Johnson | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the story of Judah and Tamar from the book of Genesis. The sermon begins by highlighting the possibility of evil that exists within human nat |
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Trophies of His Grace by Steve Mays | In this sermon, Pastor Steve Mays shares a personal anecdote about his grandson wanting to go to the zoo but not having enough time. He then transitions into discussing how sometim |