Job 31 · Verse 23

Job 31:23

For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.
Job 31:23, King James Version

Job 31:23 in other translations

BSBFor calamity from God terrifies me, and His splendor I cannot overpower.
WEBFor calamity from God is a terror to me. Because of his majesty, I can do nothing.
ASVFor calamity from God is a terror to me, And by reason of his majesty I can do nothing.
YLTFor a dread unto me is calamity from God, And because of His excellency I am not able.
DARBYFor calamity from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his excellency I was powerless.
BBEFor the fear of God kept me back, and because of his power I might not do such things.
WebsterFor destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.

What does Job 31:23 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 31:13-23

13-23. Job affirms his freedom from unfairness towards his servants, from harshness and oppression towards the needy. despise the cause--refused to do them justice.

Read the full comment on Job 31:13-23 →

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 23 Destruction from God was a terror - I have ever been preserved from outward sin, through the fear of God's judgments; I knew his eye was constantly upon me, and I could "Never in my Judge's eye my Judge's anger dare."

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Job 31:16-23

Job's conscience gave testimony concerning his just and charitable behaviour toward the poor. He is most large upon this head, because in this matter he was particularly accused. He was tender of all, and hurtful to none. Notice the principles by which Job was restrained from being uncharitable and unmerciful. He stood in awe of the Lord, as certainly against him, if he should wrong the poor. Regard to worldly…

Read the full comment on Job 31:16-23 →

Job 31:23 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

כִּ֤יkiforH3588
פַ֣חַדFa.chad[was] a fearH6343
אֵ֭לַי'E.laito meH413
אֵ֣יד'eid<the> calamity ofH343
אֵ֑ל'ElGodH410
וּ֝מִשְּׂאֵת֗וֹu.mi.se.'e.Toand from majesty hisH7613
לֹ֣אlo'notH3808
אוּכָֽל\׃'u.KhalI am ableH3201

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Job 31:23

  • Job 13:11

    Shall not his excellency make you afraid? and his dread fall upon you?

  • Psalms 119:120

    My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:11

    Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

  • Psalms 76:7

    Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?

  • Isaiah 13:6

    Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.

  • Genesis 39:9

    There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

  • Job 20:23

    When he is about to fill his belly, God shall cast the fury of his wrath upon him, and shall rain it upon him while he is eating.

  • Joel 1:15

    Alas for the day! for the day of the Lord is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.

  • Job 40:9

    Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?

  • Job 42:5-6

    I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

  • Job 21:20

    His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
destruction.
20:23; 21:20; Ge 39:9; Ps 119:120; Isa 13:6; Joe 1:15; 2Co 5:11
by.
13:11; 40:9; 42:5,6; Ps 76:7

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Job 31:22

    Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone.

  • Job 31:23

    For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.

  • Job 31:24

    If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence;

Read all of Job 31

Job 31:23 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Porque temí el castigo de Dios, contra cuya alteza yo no tendría poder.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Car la calamité de la part de ✶Dieu m’était une frayeur, et devant sa grandeur je ne pouvais rien…
German
Elberfelder 1871		Denn das Verderben Gottes war mir ein Schrecken, und vor seiner Erhabenheit vermochte ich nichts.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Semper enim quasi tumentes super me fluctus timui Deum, et pondus ejus ferre non potui.