Job 31:33

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 31:33 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “If like Adam I have covered my transgressions, By hiding mine iniquity in my bosom,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

If like Adam I have covered my transgressions, By hiding mine iniquity in my bosom,
Job 31:33 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 31

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
33If like Adam I have covered my transgressions, By hiding mine iniquity in my bosom,

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 covered my transgressions as Adam, etc.] Job could not be understood, by this account he had given of the holiness of his life, that he thought himself quite free from sin; he had owned himself to be a sinner in several places before, and disclaimed perfection; and here he acknowledges he was guilty of transgressing the law of God, and that in many instances; for he speaks of his “transgressions” in the plural number; but then he did not seek to cover them from the of God or men, but frankly and ingenuously confessed them to both; he did not cover them, palliate, excuse, and extenuate them, as Adam did his, by laying the blame to his wife; and as she by charging it on the serpent; and…”
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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
“Adam--translated by UMBREIT, "as men do" (Hos 6:7, where see Margin). But English Version is more natural. The very same word for "hiding" is used in Gen 3:8, Gen 3:10, of Adam hiding himself from God. Job elsewhere alludes to the flood. So he might easily know of the fall, through the two links which connect Adam and Abraham (about Job's time), namely, Methuselah and Shem. Adam is representative of fallen man's propensity to concealment (Pro 28:13). It was from God that Job did not "hide his iniquity in his bosom," as on the contrary it was from God that "Adam" hid in his lurking-place. This disproves the translation, "as men"; for it is from their fellow men that "men" are chiefly anxious…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“If I covered my transgressions as Adam - That is, if I have attempted to hide or conceal them; if, conscious of guilt, I have endeavored to cloak my sins, and to appear righteous. There has been great variety of opinion about the meaning of this expression. The margin reads it, “After the manner of men.” Luther, renders it, “Have I covered my wickedness as a man” - Habe ich meine Schalkheit wie ein Menseh gedecht. Coverdale, “Have I ever done any wicked deed where through I shamed myself before men.” Herder, “Did I hide my faults like a mean man.” Schultens, “If I have covered my sin as Adam.” The Vulgate, Quasi homo - “as a man.” The Septuagint, “If when I sinned unwillingly (ᾶκουσίως…”
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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
“As Adam - As Adam did in Paradise. Job 31:34”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“covered: Gen 3:7, Gen 3:8, Gen 3:12; Jos 7:11; Pro 28:13; Hos 6:7; Act 5:8; Jo1 1:8-10 as Adam: or, after the manner of men, Hos 6:7 Job 31:34”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“33 If I have hidden my wickedness like Adam, Concealing my guilt in my bosom, 34 Because I feared the great multitude And the contempt of families affrighted me, So that I acted secretly, went not out of the door. - Most expositors translate כּאדם: after the manner of men; but appropriate as this meaning of the expression is in Psa 82:7, in accordance with the antithesis and the parallelism (which see), it would be as tame here, and altogether expressionless in the parallel passage Hos 6:7 \- (Note: Pusey also (The Minor Prophets with Commentary, P. i. 1861) improves "like men" by translating "like Adam.") the passage which comes mainly under consideration here - since the force of the…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification