Job 31 · Verse 37

Job 31:37

I would declare unto him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near unto him.
Job 31:37, King James Version

Job 31:37 in other translations

BSBI would give account of all my steps; I would approach Him like a prince.)—
WEBI would declare to him the number of my steps. I would go near to him like a prince.
ASVI would declare unto him the number of my steps; As a prince would I go near unto him.
YLTThe number of my steps I tell Him, As a leader I approach Him.
DARBYI would declare unto him the number of my steps; as a prince would I come near to him.
BBEI would make clear the number of my steps, I would put it before him like a prince! The words of Job are ended.
WebsterI would declare to him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near to him.

What does Job 31:37 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
37. A good conscience imparts a princely dignity before man and free assurance in approaching God. This can be realized, not in Job's way (Job 42:5, 6); but only through Jesus Christ (He 10:22).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 37 I would declare unto him the number of my steps - I would show this adversary the different stations I had been in, and the offices which I had filled in life, that he might trace me through the whole of my civil, military, and domestic life, in order to get evidence against me. As a prince would I go near - Though carrying my own accusation, I would go into the presence of my judge as the נגיד nagid, chief, or sovereign commander and judge, of the people and country, and would not shrink from having my conduct investigated by even the meanest of my subjects. In these three verses we may observe the following particulars: - 1. Job wishes to be brought to trial, that he might have the opportunity of vindicating himself: O that I might have a hearing! 2. That his adversary, Eliphaz and his companions, whom he considers as one party, and joined together in one, would reduce their vague charges to writing, that they might come before the court in a legal form: O that my adversary would write down the charge! 3. That the Almighty, שדי Shaddai, the all-sufficient God, and not man, should be the judge, who would not permit his adversaries to attempt, by false evidence, to establish what was false, nor suffer himself to cloak with a hypocritical covering what was iniquitous in his conduct: O that the Almighty might answer for me - take notice of or be judge in the cause! 4. To him he purposes cheerfully to confess all his ways, who could at once judge if he prevaricated, or concealed the truth. 5. This would give him the strongest encouragement: he would go boldly before him, with the highest persuasion of an honorable acquittal.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Job 31:33-40

Job clears himself from the charge of hypocrisy. We are loth to confess our faults, willing to excuse them, and to lay the blame upon others. But he that thus covers his sins, shall not prosper, Pr 28:13. He speaks of his courage in what is good, as an evidence of his sincerity in it. When men get estates unjustly, they are justly deprived of comfort from them; it was sown wheat, but shall come up thistles. What men…

Read the full comment on Job 31:33-40 →

Job 31:37 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.

מִסְפַּ֣רmis.Par[the] number ofH4557
צְ֭עָדַיTze.'a.daisteps myH6806
אַגִּידֶ֑נּוּ'ag.gi.De.nuI will tell to himH5046
כְּמוֹ\־ke.mov-likeH3644
נָ֝גִ֗ידna.Gida chiefH5057
אֲקָרֲבֶֽנּוּ\׃'a.ka.ra.Ve.nuI will approach himH7126

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

Cross references for Job 31:37

  • Job 13:15

    Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

  • Ephesians 3:12

    In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

  • Hebrews 4:15-16

    For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

  • Job 29:25

    I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners.

  • Job 42:3-6

    Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. 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 9:3

    If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.

  • Job 1:3

    His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

  • Psalms 19:12

    Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

  • 1 John 3:19-21

    And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

  • Job 14:16

    For now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin?

  • Genesis 32:28

    And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
declare.
9:3; 13:15; 14:16; 42:3-6; Ps 19:12
as a.
Ge 32:28; Eph 3:12; Heb 4:15,16; 1Jo 3:19-21

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

Context

  • Job 31:36

    Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a crown to me.

  • Job 31:37

    I would declare unto him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near unto him.

  • Job 31:38

    If my land cry against me, or that the furrows likewise thereof complain;

Read all of Job 31

Job 31:37 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Yo le contaría el número de mis pasos, y como príncipe me llegaría á él.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Je lui déclarerais le nombre de mes pas; comme un prince je m’approcherais de lui…
German
Elberfelder 1871		Ich würde ihm kundtun die Zahl meiner Schritte, würde ihm nahen wie ein Fürst.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Per singulos gradus meos pronuntiabo illum, et quasi principi offeram eum.