Job 31:29

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 31:29 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, Or lifted up myself when evil found him;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, Or lifted up myself when evil found him;
Job 31:29 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 31

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
29If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, Or lifted up myself when evil found 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
“If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, etc.] Job, though a good man, had his enemies, as all good men have, and that because of their goodness, and who hated him with an implacable hatred, without a cause, there being a rooted bitter enmity in the seed of the serpent against the godly in all generations; on whom sooner or later, at one time or another, destruction comes, one calamity or another on their families, diseases on their bodies, loss of substance, death of themselves or relatives; now it is a common thing with wicked men to rejoice in the adversity of their enemies, but good men should not do so; yet it is a difficult thing, and requires a large measure of grace,…”
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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
“lifted up myself--in malicious triumph (Pro 17:5; Pro 24:17; Psa 7:4).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me - Job here introduces another class of offences, of which he says he was innocent. The subject referred to is the proper treatment of those who injure us. In respect to this, he says that he was entirely conscious of freedom from exultation when calamity came upon a foe, and that he had never even wished him evil in his heart. The word “destruction” here, means calamity, disappointment, or affliction of any kind. It had never been pleasant to him to see one who hated him suffer. It is needless to remark how entirely this accords with the New Testament. And it is pleasant to find such a sentiment as this expressed in the early age of the…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Lift up - Heb. stirred up myself to rejoice and insult over his misery. Job 31:31”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“31:29-30 rejoiced when disaster struck my enemies: See Prov 24:17-18; cp. 2 Sam 16:5-8. • Cursing anyone violated the spirit of the sixth commandment (Deut 5:17; see Matt 5:21-22). • It was against God’s will to ask for revenge (Matt 5:43-44; Rom 12:14; Jas 3:6-10; 1 Pet 3:9).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Sa2 1:12, Sa2 4:10, Sa2 4:11, Sa2 16:5-8; Psa 35:13, Psa 35:14, Psa 35:25, Psa 35:26; Pro 17:5, Pro 24:17, Pro 24:18 Job 31:30”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“29 If I rejoiced over the destruction of him who hated me, And became excited when evil came upon him - 30 Yet I did not allow my palate to sin By calling down a curse upon his life. The aposiopesis is here manifest, for Job 31:29 is evidently equal to a solemn denial, to which Job 31:30 is then attached as a simple negative. He did not rejoice at the destruction (פיד, Arab. fêd, (Note: Gesenius derives the noun פיד from the verb פיד, but the Arabic, which is the test here, has not only the verb fâda as med. u and as med. i in the signification to die, but also in connection with el̇feid (fêd) the substantival form el-fı̂d (= el-môt), which (= fiwd, comp. p. 26, note) is referable to…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification