Job 31:14

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 31:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “What then shall I do when God riseth up? And when he visiteth, what shall I answer him?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

What then shall I do when God riseth up? And when he visiteth, what shall I answer him?
Job 31:14 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 31

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14What then shall I do when God riseth up? And when he visiteth, what shall I answer him?

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“What then shall I do when God riseth up? etc.] That is, if he had despised and rejected the cause of his servants, or had neglected, or refused to do them justice; he signifies he should be at the utmost loss to know what to do, what excuse to make, or what to say in his own defence, when God should rise up to defend the cause of the injured; either in a way of Providence in this life, or at the great day of judgment in the world to come, when everything will be brought to account, and masters and servants must stand alike before the judgment seat of God, to receive for the things they have done, whether good or evil: and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him? when he makes a visitation…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Parenthetical; the reason why Job did not despise the cause of his servants. Translate: What then (had I done so) could I have done, when God arose (to call me to account); and when He visited (came to enquire), what could I have answered Him?”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“What then shall I do when God riseth up? - That is, when he rises up to pronounce sentence upon people, or to execute impartial justice. Job admits that if he had done injustice to a servant, he would have reason to dread the divine indignation, and that he could have no excuse. “I tremble,” said President Jefferson, speaking of slavery in the United States “when I remember that God is just!” Notes on Virginia. And when he visiteth - When he comes to inspect human conduct. Umbreit renders it “when he punishes.” The word visit is often used in this sense in the Scriptures. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“What then: Job 9:32, Job 10:2; Psa 7:6, Psa 9:12, Psa 9:19, Psa 10:12-15, Psa 44:21, Psa 76:9, Psa 143:2; Isa 10:3; Zac 2:13 when he: Hos 9:7; Mic 7:4; Mar 7:2; Jam 2:13 what shall: Rom 3:19 Job 31:15”
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Sources and verification