Job 31 28

Job 31:28 kjv

This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.

Job 31:28 nkjv

This also would be an iniquity deserving of judgment, For I would have denied God who is above.

Job 31:28 niv

then these also would be sins to be judged, for I would have been unfaithful to God on high.

Job 31:28 esv

this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges, for I would have been false to God above.

Job 31:28 nlt

If so, I should be punished by the judges,
for it would mean I had denied the God of heaven.

Job 31 verses

Job 31 28 Meaning

Job declares that engaging in certain acts, such as the forbidden practice of sun or moon worship (as mentioned in the preceding verses), would not only be a moral offense but also a profound spiritual rebellion. Such actions would constitute a severe "iniquity," punishable even by human judges, because they would inherently signify a denial of the supreme and true "God above." This statement underscores Job’s unwavering commitment to exclusive monotheism and his conviction that any allegiance given to created things, or even the subtle temptation to do so, amounts to a grave betrayal of the divine.

Job 31 28 Context

Job 31 constitutes the final and most extensive part of Job’s personal defense and declaration of innocence before God and his friends. Having exhausted arguments against their accusations, Job presents a solemn, comprehensive oath of purity, systematically denying common transgressions. Verses 24-28 specifically address the pitfalls of idolizing wealth and engaging in astral worship. Job proclaims that he has not allowed his heart to be enticed by material riches (Job 31:24-25), nor has he been seduced into worshipping the sun or moon (Job 31:26-27), which were prevalent pagan practices in the ancient Near East. In this specific verse, Job asserts that if he had engaged in such worship or trusted in material possessions as ultimate security, it would be a severe offense "punishable by judges," precisely because it would be a direct denial of "God above." This entire chapter functions as Job's final plea, a deeply personal and principled affirmation of his ethical and spiritual integrity in the face of immense suffering and accusations. It showcases his profound adherence to monotheism even outside the Mosaic covenant.

Job 31 28 Word analysis

• This also (gam-zeh גַּם־זֶה): This phrase serves as a link to the preceding points in Job’s oath of innocence. Job has enumerated various ethical failings he has avoided (such as lust, dishonesty, injustice, oppression of the poor). "This also" introduces another category of grave sin—idolatry and misdirected trust—that he unequivocally denies having committed. It signifies that idolatry is a transgression on par with the other moral offenses Job lists.
• would be an iniquity ('awon עָוֹן): The Hebrew word 'awon refers to moral perversity, guilt, or transgression that is often deep-seated and carries consequences. It is more than just an error; it implies intentional bending of moral or divine law, a culpable wrong that generates guilt. The choice of 'awon highlights the serious nature of the act as a moral and spiritual deviation, leading to alienation from God.
• punishable by judges (peliyliy פְּלִילִ֔י): Derived from the root palal (to judge or arbitrate), this term indicates that the offense is not merely a personal failing but a societal crime. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, and particularly within early Israelite societal codes (though Job predates explicit Mosaic Law), idolatry was often seen as treason against the supreme divine authority, a crime punishable by legal means, often death. Job recognizes that a sin against God's supreme authority impacts the community and is subject to both divine and human judgment, signifying the severity of spiritual rebellion.
• for I would have denied (kiḥashtiy כִּחַ֣שְׁתִּי): The verb kiḥash means to disown, to deny, or to lie. In this context, it signifies a profound rejection or disavowal of God's existence, authority, or truth. It's a refusal to acknowledge God's rightful place and unique sovereignty, implicitly elevating something else (like celestial bodies or wealth) to a position of ultimate trust or worship. This denial is a direct betrayal of the foundational relationship between the Creator and the creature.
• God above ('El mimma'al אֵ֣ל מִמַּֽעַל): El is a common Semitic term for God, often referring to the supreme deity. Mimma'al translates to "from above" or "upward." This phrase emphasizes God’s transcendent nature, His heavenly abode, and His position as the supreme, sovereign, and all-powerful deity who governs all things from His exalted place. Denying "God above" thus implies denying His ultimate authority over creation and human destiny, including one's prosperity and security, assigning that trust or worship to created elements or material possessions instead.

Job 31 28 Bonus section

• The severity of Job's self-pronouncement ("punishable by judges") highlights the deep theological and social understanding that idolatry was not merely a private sin but a public affront to divine justice and communal welfare in ancient societies. It undermined the very basis of a righteous community under God.
• Job's inclusion of a denial of sun and moon worship (Job 31:26-27), immediately preceding his statement in verse 28, demonstrates that his faith in "God above" predates and implicitly challenges the common pagan practices found in ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Canaan, underscoring the universal nature of idolatry's condemnation.
• This verse provides early scriptural insight into the comprehensive nature of biblical ethics, showing that moral purity extends not just to visible actions but also to the innermost desires and objects of one's trust ("heart secretly enticed," Job 31:27). True allegiance to God requires the heart’s exclusive devotion.

Job 31 28 Commentary

Job 31:28 stands as a profound declaration of Job’s undiluted monotheism and unwavering moral compass. He asserts that diverting allegiance to creation, such as heavenly bodies, or placing ultimate trust in riches, would be a categorical "denial of God above." This wasn’t just a theological error but a profound betrayal, viewed by Job as a criminal offense "punishable by judges" – an indication that spiritual idolatry carried civil penalties, reflecting its fundamental challenge to divine and social order. The phrase "God above" encapsulates Job’s understanding of God as sovereign, transcendent, and exclusively worthy of worship and ultimate trust, standing in stark contrast to the polytheistic and materialistic temptations prevalent in his world. His rejection of these acts showcases not only his integrity but also a sophisticated understanding of sin as a betrayal of the divine relationship, deserving of ultimate judgment, irrespective of perceived prosperity. Job affirms that true piety demands exclusive and undivided devotion, whether in thought or deed.