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Job 31:39

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 31:39 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, Or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, Or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life:
Job 31:39 — 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:
37I would declare unto him the number of my steps; As a prince would I go near unto him.
38If my land crieth out against me, And the furrows thereof weep together;
39If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, Or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life:
40Let thistles grow instead of wheat, And cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.
← Job 31:38Job 31:40 →
← Full Chapter 31 Job Overview

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 have eaten the fruits thereof without money, etc.] Or, “the strength thereof without silver” f1153; (see <010412>Genesis 4:12), silver being the money chiefly in use in those times. Job’s meaning is, that he ate not anything of the fruits and increase of his own land, without having paid for the same, which he would have done, if he had got his land out of the hands of the rightful owners of it, by deceit or violence; or if he had not paid his workmen for ploughing, sowing, reaping, etc. or if he had demanded the fruits of the earth of his tenants, to whom he had let out his farms, without giving them a proper price for them: or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life; as…”
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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
“lose . . . life--not literally, but "harassed to death"; until he gave me up his land gratis [MAURER]; as in Jdg 16:16; "suffered him to languish" by taking away his means of living [UMBREIT] (Kg1 21:19).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“If I have eaten the fruits thereof - Margin, strength. The strength of the earth is that which the earth produces or which is the result of its strength. We speak now of a “strong soil “ - meaning that it is capable of bearing much. Without money - Hebrew “without silver “ - silver being the principal circulating medium in early times. The meaning here is, “without paying for it;” either without having paid for the land, or for the labor. “Or have caused the owners thereof.” Margin, the soul of the owners thereof to expire, or breathe out. The Hebrew is, “If I have caused the life of the owners (or lords) of it to breathe out.” The meaning is, if I have appropriated to myself the land or…”
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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
“Without money - Either without paying the price for the land, or by defrauding my workmen of their wages. Life - Killing them that I might have undisturbed possession of it, as Ahab did Naboth. Next: Job Chapter 32”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“fruits: Heb. strength, Gen 4:12 caused the owners thereof to lose their life: Heb. caused the soul of the owners thereof to expire, or breathe out, Kg1 21:13-16, Kg1 21:19; Pro 1:19; Isa 26:21; Eze 22:6, Eze 22:12, Eze 22:13 Job 31:40”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification