Job 31:30

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 31:30 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “(Yea, I have not suffered by mouth to sin By asking his life with a curse);” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

(Yea, I have not suffered by mouth to sin By asking his life with a curse);
Job 31:30 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 31

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
30(Yea, I have not suffered by mouth to sin By asking his life with a curse);

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin, etc.] Which, as it is the instrument of speech, is often the means of much sin; particularly of cursing men, and expressing much bitterness against enemies; but Job laid an embargo upon it, kept it as with a bridle, restrained it from uttering any evil, or wishing any to his worst adversaries; which is difficult to do, when provocations are given, as follows: by wishing a curse to his soul; not to his soul as distinct from his body, being the superior excellency and immortal part; that it be everlastingly damned, as wicked men wish to their own souls, and the souls of others, but to his person, wishing some calamity might befall him, some disease…”
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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
“mouth--literally, "palate." (See on Job 6:30). wishing--literally, "so as to demand his (my enemy's) soul," that is, "life by a curse." This verse parenthetically confirms Job 31:30. Job in the patriarchal age of the promise, anterior to the law, realizes the Gospel spirit, which was the end of the law (compare Lev 19:18; Deu 23:6, with Mat 5:43-44).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Neither have I suffered my mouth - Margin, as in Hebrew, palate. The word is often used for the mouth in general, and especially as the organ of the voice from the use and importance of the palate in speaking. Proverbs 8:7. “For my palate (חכי chikiy) speaketh truth.” It is used as the organ of taste, Job 12:11; compare Job 6:30; Psalms 119:103. By wishing a curse to his soul - It must have been an extraordinary degree of piety which would permit a man to say this with truth, that he had never harbored a wish of injury to an enemy. Few are the people, probably, even now, who could say this, and who are enabled to keep their minds free from every wish that calamities and woes may overtake…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“have: Exo 23:4, Exo 23:5; Mat 5:43, Mat 5:44; Rom 12:14; Pe1 2:22, Pe1 2:23, Pe1 3:9 mouth: Heb. palate, Ecc 5:2, Ecc 5:6; Mat 5:22, Mat 12:36; Jam 3:6, Jam 3:9, Jam 3:10 Job 31:31”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification