Job 31:28

“This also [were] an iniquity [to be punished by] the judge, etc.] As well as adultery, (<183111>Job 31:11); by the civil magistrates and judges of the earth, who are God’s vicegerents, and therefore it behooves them to take cognizance of such an iniquity, and to punish for it, which affects in so peculiar a manner the honour and worship of the true God; this by the law of Moses was punished by stoning to death, (<051309>Deuteronomy 13:9); however this will be taken notice of and punished by God the Judge of all, whose law is broken hereby, and who will visit this iniquity more especially on those who commit it, and their posterity after them. Idolaters of every sort shall have their part and…”

“The Mosaic law embodied subsequently the feeling of the godly from the earliest times against idolatry, as deserving judicial penalties: being treason against the Supreme King (Deu 13:9; Deu 17:2-7; Eze 8:14-18). This passage therefore does not prove Job to have been subsequent to Moses.”

“This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judqe - Note Job 31:11. Among the Hebrews idolatry was an offence punishable by death by stoning; Deuteronomy 17:2-7. It is possible, also, that this might have been elsewhere in the patriarchal times a crime punishable in this manner. At all events, Job regarded it as a heinous offence, and one of which the magistrate ought to take cognizance. For I should have denied the God that is above - The worship of the heavenly bodies would have been in fact the denial of the existence of any Superior Being. This, in fact, always occurs, for idolaters have no knowledge of the true God. return to 'Top of Page'”

“The judge - The civil magistrate; who being advanced and protected by God, is obliged to maintain and vindicate his honour, and consequently to punish idolatry. Denied God - Not directly but by consequence, because this was to rob God of his prerogative, by giving to the creature, that worship which is peculiar to God. Job 31:29”

“31:28 In Israel, the judges (see 31:11) were to punish idol worship by execution (Deut 17:2-7). • Denying the God of heaven violated the first commandment (Deut 5:7).”

“an: Job 31:11, Job 9:15, Job 23:7; Gen 18:25; Deu 17:2-7, Deu 17:9; Jdg 11:27; Psa 50:6; Heb 12:23 for: Jos 24:23, Jos 24:27; Pro 30:9; Tit 1:16; Pe2 2:1; Jo1 2:23; Jde 1:4 Job 31:29”