Job 31:8

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 31:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then let me sow, and let another eat; Yea, let the produce of my field be rooted out.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then let me sow, and let another eat; Yea, let the produce of my field be rooted out.
Job 31:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 31

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8Then let me sow, and let another eat; Yea, let the produce of my field be rooted out.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“[Then] let me sow, and another eat, etc.] If what he had before said was not true; but he had turned out of the way of righteousness, and walked after the sight of his eyes, and the mammon of unrighteousness cleaved to his hands; then he wishes might sow his fields, and another enjoy the increase of them, which is one of God’s judgments threatened unto the wicked and disobedient, (<032616>Leviticus 26:16) (<052833>Deuteronomy 28:33); let my offspring be rooted out; but Job had no offspring or children at this time to be rooted out or destroyed; they were all destroyed already; some think therefore that this imprecation was made by him in the time of his prosperity, though here repeated as it…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Apodosis to Job 31:5, Job 31:7; the curses which he imprecates on himself, if he had done these things (Lev 26:16; Amo 9:14; Psa 128:2). offspring--rather, "what I plant," my harvests.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Then let me sow, and let another eat - This is the imprecation which he invokes, in case he had been guilty in this respect. He consented to sow his fields, and let others enjoy the harvest. The expression used here is common in the Scriptures to denote insecurity of property or calamity in general; see Leviticus 26:16 : “And ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it;” compare Deuteronomy 28:30; Amos 9:13-14. Yea, let my offspring be rooted out - Or, rather, “Let what I plant be rooted up.” So Umbreit, Noyes, Schultens, Rosenmuller, Herder, and Lee understand it. There is no evidence that he here alludes to his children, for the connection does not demand it, nor does the…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Increase - All my plants, and fruits, and improvements. Job 31:10”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“let me: Job 5:5, Job 24:6; Lev 26:16; Deu 28:30-33, Deu 28:38, Deu 28:51; Jdg 6:3-6; Mic 6:15 let my: Job 5:4, Job 15:30, Job 18:19; Psa 109:13 Job 31:9”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification