Job 31 11

Job 31:11 kjv

For this is an heinous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges.

Job 31:11 nkjv

For that would be wickedness; Yes, it would be iniquity deserving of judgment.

Job 31:11 niv

For that would have been wicked, a sin to be judged.

Job 31:11 esv

For that would be a heinous crime; that would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges;

Job 31:11 nlt

For lust is a shameful sin,
a crime that should be punished.

Job 31 verses

Job 31 11 Meaning

Job 31:11 conveys Job's profound understanding of the severe nature of sexual immorality, specifically the act implied in the preceding verses (adultery or lust). He declares that such an act is not merely a personal transgression but a fundamentally corrupting evil (a "heinous crime" or moral depravity) and a perversion against righteousness (an "iniquity"). Crucially, he states it is a crime that merits explicit punishment by human judges, signifying its status as both a moral offense before God and a serious violation of established societal law and justice.

Job 31 11 Context

Job chapter 31 represents Job's most comprehensive and passionate final defense against the accusations of his friends. He is not merely asserting his innocence in outward actions but also demonstrating a profound ethical awareness that extended to his thoughts and intentions. In verses 9-10, Job challenges anyone to find him guilty of lusting after another man's wife or waiting to lie in wait at a neighbor's door. He emphasizes that if he were guilty, he would accept a humiliating and publicly shaming consequence. Verse 11 reinforces this assertion by explaining why he would be willing to suffer such consequences: because such an act—lust leading to adultery—is fundamentally abhorrent and deserving of severe judicial punishment. It reflects his conviction that even pre-Mosaic society recognized adultery as a grave offense requiring legal recourse, underscoring his deep adherence to a righteous standard of conduct rooted in divine morality and understood within his social structure.

Job 31 11 Word analysis

• For that: Refers directly to the implied act of sexual impropriety, specifically adultery and lust as mentioned in Job 31:9-10. Job is affirming that the very thought or action of such a sin carries profound negative implications.

• would be: Indicates a conditional statement or a strongly asserted hypothetical outcome. It underscores Job's certainty regarding the dire consequences, not a mere possibility.

• a heinous crime: Translated from the Hebrew word zimmah (זִמָּה). This term signifies deep-seated depravity, moral perversion, premeditated wickedness, or a revolting offense. It often specifically refers to sexual impropriety or illicit sexual acts (e.g., incest in Lev 18:17, 19:29) and emphasizes the profound moral corruption involved, suggesting not just a transgression, but a defilement of moral standards. It points to a planned or deeply rooted wickedness.

• and: Connects "heinous crime" and "iniquity," presenting two complementary yet distinct aspects of the sin's gravity.

• an iniquity: Translated from the Hebrew word avon (עָוֹן). This term describes the moral failing itself, the guilt derived from it, and often the punishment or consequence of that guilt. Avon signifies a crookedness or twisting of what is straight and right, implying a departure from God's perfect law and righteousness. While zimmah focuses on the moral degradation of the act, avon highlights the distortion of justice and the incurring of guilt.

• to be punished by the judges: Translated from the Hebrew phrase pelilim (פְּלִילִים) or specifically, the context indicates that which falls to the judges or is subject to their judgment. The term pelilim signifies arbiters, judges, or those empowered to render judgment. This phrase is critical as it indicates that Job recognizes this sin as not merely a private moral failing but a public, legal offense subject to official, societal condemnation and punishment under existing civil authority. This aligns with ancient Near Eastern legal codes and foreshadows Mosaic Law concerning adultery.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "heinous crime and an iniquity": This coupling emphasizes the multi-faceted severity of the sin. It's both a "heinous crime" (deep moral depravity, a vile act against ethical standards) and "an iniquity" (a perversion of righteousness, incurring guilt and consequences). This suggests the sin impacts both the moral fabric of the individual and the righteous order established by God.
  • "to be punished by the judges": This phrase highlights the earthly, legal accountability for such a grievous sin. It shows Job acknowledging an established judicial system as a mechanism for administering justice, reflecting the divine expectation for righteousness and order within human society. This implies that such transgressions not only offend God but also undermine social order, warranting judicial intervention and punishment.

Job 31 11 Bonus section

• Job's moral code, particularly evidenced in chapter 31, is considered by many scholars to be remarkably advanced, often exceeding or at least anticipating aspects of the Mosaic Law. His internal commitment (v.1, "I have made a covenant with my eyes") precedes the explicit focus on outward actions and is affirmed by this verse's acknowledgment of both internal moral depravity (zimmah) and societal consequence.
• The concept of pelilim or judges administering punishment indicates that divine standards for righteousness were understood to require earthly mechanisms for upholding justice and order. This is a crucial early biblical concept regarding civil government's role in enforcing moral laws that have divine origin.
• The severity implied by "heinous crime" and "iniquity" points to a profound societal and theological understanding of sexual sin as a serious breaking of covenant (whether implicitly human or explicitly divine), disrupting order and bringing about moral corruption and a demand for restitution or judgment.

Job 31 11 Commentary

Job 31:11 encapsulates Job's deep ethical insight and his awareness of societal justice. It directly follows his assertion in Job 31:9-10 about his refusal to entertain lust or engage in adultery, signifying that he understood such actions as utterly reprehensible. The use of zimmah and avon highlights both the repulsive nature and the inherent guilt of the sin, emphasizing its profound corruption of moral principles and its twisted deviation from righteousness. Job recognized that this particular sin was not only offensive to God but also destructive to the human community, warranting judgment from designated human authorities. His readiness to subject himself to such judgment underscores his integrity and his acceptance of the gravity of the law. This verse powerfully attests to the universality of moral law, even prior to the detailed codification of Mosaic law, showcasing a deeply rooted understanding of divine justice manifesting in human systems. Practically, this verse reminds believers that God's moral standards have real-world implications, impacting not only one's relationship with Him but also the fabric of human society. It urges integrity, not only in action but also in the realm of thoughts and intentions, knowing that severe sin impacts many layers of existence and demands accountability.