Job 31:36

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 31:36 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Surely I would carry it upon my shoulder; I would bind it unto me as a crown:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Surely I would carry it upon my shoulder; I would bind it unto me as a crown:
Job 31:36 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 31

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
36Surely I would carry it upon my shoulder; I would bind it unto me as a crown:

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, etc.] The bill of indictment, the charge in writing; this he would take up and carry on his shoulder as a very light thing, having nothing weighty in it, no charge of sin and guilt to bear him down; nothing but what he could easily stand up under, only some trifling matter, which could not be interpreted sin; for anything of that kind would have been a burden too heavy for him to have borne: or else his sense is, that should he be convicted of any sin, he would openly confess the charge, acknowledge the sin in the most public manner, that being visible which is borne upon the shoulder; and would also patiently bear the afflictions and chastisements…”
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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
“So far from hiding the adversary's "answer" or "charge" through fear, I would take it on my shoulders--as a public honor (Isa 9:6). a crown--not a mark of shame, but of distinction (Isa 62:3).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Surely, I would take it upon my shoulder - That is, the book or bill which the Almighty would write in the case. Job says that he has such confidence that what God would record in his case would be in his favor, such confidence that he had no charge of hypocrisy against him, and that he who knew him altogether would not bring such an accusation against him, that he would bear it off triumphantly on his shoulders. It would be all that he could desire. This does not refer to what a judge would decide if the cause were submitted to him, but to a case where an opponent or adversary in court should bring all that he could say against him. He says that he would bear even such a bill on his…”
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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
“Take it - As a trophy or badge of honour. Job 31:37”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“31:36 face the accusation proudly (literally carry it on my shoulder; cp. Exod 28:12; Isa 22:22): He would take full responsibility for his actions.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I: Exo 28:12; Isa 22:22 a crown: Job 29:14; Isa 62:3; Phi 4:1 Job 31:37”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification