Job 31 1

Job 31:1 kjv

I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

Job 31:1 nkjv

"I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman?

Job 31:1 niv

"I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.

Job 31:1 esv

"I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?

Job 31:1 nlt

"I made a covenant with my eyes
not to look with lust at a young woman.

Job 31 verses

Job 31 1 Meaning

Job 31:1 presents Job's profound declaration of internal purity, revealing his high moral standard and his covenant with God regarding his thought life. It means he proactively committed himself to such a strict discipline of his eyes that he could not, and would not, permit himself to gaze with lust upon any unmarried woman. This self-imposed pledge shows a deep understanding that sin begins in the heart and mind, originating with the desires stirred by what one sees, before culminating in outward actions. Job asserts his innocence not just in deeds but also in his very intentions and inner most thoughts, recognizing the eyes as a primary gateway for temptation and sin.

Job 31 1 Context

Job 31 stands as the climactic conclusion of Job's final discourse and his last statement of defense against his friends' accusations. For chapters, his friends have contended that Job's suffering must be due to his hidden sin, a tenet of the traditional retribution theology of their time. In response, Job systematically, passionately, and even fiercely proclaims his blamelessness and integrity before God.

This specific verse, Job 31:1, opens a lengthy and powerful oath of clearance. Job lists a series of potential sins he swears he has not committed, covering various aspects of life: sexual immorality (v. 1-12), social injustice (v. 13-23), idolatry and covetousness (v. 24-28), lack of charity or hospitality (v. 29-32), hypocrisy (v. 33-34), and unrighteous gain (v. 38-40). Each section implies a curse upon himself if he were indeed guilty of such a transgression. This oath is not just a denial of guilt, but a declaration of his positive, proactive righteousness and the high moral code by which he lived, going beyond mere external conformity to internal integrity, thus setting him apart as a profoundly devout and morally astute man in his era.

Historically, this oath would have been highly significant in the ancient Near East, where formal declarations and imprecations (self-curses) were serious matters, often binding contracts or judicial proofs of innocence. Job is essentially putting his entire being, his integrity, and his future on the line before God.

Job 31 1 Word analysis

• I made a covenant: (Hebrew: ’emdāh, root: כרת karat, to cut a covenant). This isn't a mere casual promise or a public legal agreement. It denotes a solemn, binding commitment, an internal pact Job made with himself and before God. It implies a decisive and resolute act of the will, a self-imposed discipline. It highlights Job's deep self-governance and moral determination. It speaks to proactive prevention rather than reactive repentance.
• with my eyes: (Hebrew: ʿêynây, literally "my two eyes"). The eyes are presented here not just as organs of sight but as agents or gateways to the inner person. Biblically, the eyes are often associated with perception, desire, and the initiation of sin (e.g., Eve seeing the forbidden fruit, David seeing Bathsheba). By covenanting with his eyes, Job acknowledged that temptation often begins with what one beholds and allows into the mind. This phrase demonstrates Job's astute awareness of the path of temptation.
• how then: (Hebrew: û-mâh, "and what?"). This is a rhetorical question, serving as a powerful emphatic denial. It implies the utter impossibility or contradiction of doing the action mentioned (gazing) given the preceding covenant. It stresses the firmness and irrevocability of his prior commitment.
• could I gaze: (Hebrew: ʾetbōnen, from bîn, to discern, understand; hitafe‘al stem meaning to look closely, observe, ponder, consider). This verb denotes more than a fleeting glance. It suggests a deliberate, lingering, investigative, or even contemplative looking—a form of "taking in" with an intention or prolonged attention. It speaks of a focused observation that could lead to further thought or action. It points to the internal process where desire takes root and grows.
• at a virgin?: (Hebrew: bətûlâh). Refers to an unmarried woman who is chaste. This term represents the essence of purity and innocence. For Job to lustfully gaze at a virgin would be an egregious violation of moral integrity and social honor, especially for a man of his standing. This specification makes his commitment profoundly clear – he would not even allow his eyes to dwell illicitly on a woman not his wife, preserving her sacredness. It encompasses not just committing adultery, but nurturing the thoughts that lead to it.

Job 31 1 Bonus section

• This verse highlights Job's remarkably advanced understanding of spiritual ethics, aligning more closely with later New Testament principles than with the typical ancient Near Eastern focus primarily on external legal codes. His recognition of sin's genesis in the heart (prefiguring Jesus) is profound.
• The concept of a "covenant with the eyes" demonstrates a sophisticated approach to spiritual discipline—not merely reacting to temptation but preemptively guarding oneself. It reflects intentionality in godliness.
• Job's inclusion of this specific sin in his lengthy oath emphasizes the seriousness with which sexual purity and inner integrity were viewed, especially by truly righteous individuals like Job, regardless of cultural norms.

Job 31 1 Commentary

Job 31:1 stands as a powerful testament to Job's remarkable moral character and spiritual insight, prefiguring the deeper New Testament teachings on inner purity. This verse encapsulates his commitment to purity of heart and mind, acknowledging that sin's seed often germinates through the eyes and subsequent internal reflection. By "making a covenant with his eyes," Job signifies a proactive, personal, and decisive act of will to prevent the onset of lust and impure thoughts. It wasn't just about avoiding illicit actions, but about governing his desires and perceptions at their very source. This commitment was radical for his time, elevating the standard of righteousness from mere external conformity to internal integrity. Job understood that true piety involves discipline over one's thought life, mirroring Jesus' later teaching in the Sermon on the Mount concerning looking with lust (Mt 5:28). This verse serves as a profound example of spiritual self-control and the conscious avoidance of temptations' initial entry points. It reminds believers that true holiness extends beyond observable actions to the very desires and intentions of the heart, setting a high benchmark for personal purity.