Job 31 33

Job 31:33 kjv

If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom:

Job 31:33 nkjv

If I have covered my transgressions as Adam, By hiding my iniquity in my bosom,

Job 31:33 niv

if I have concealed my sin as people do, by hiding my guilt in my heart

Job 31:33 esv

if I have concealed my transgressions as others do by hiding my iniquity in my heart,

Job 31:33 nlt

"Have I tried to hide my sins like other people do,
concealing my guilt in my heart?

Job 31 verses

Job 31 33 Meaning

In Job 31:33, Job solemnly asserts his innocence and integrity before God. He declares that he has not concealed his sins, likening himself to Adam, who notoriously tried to hide his transgression from God in the Garden of Eden. By stating, "If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding my iniquity in my bosom," Job vehemently denies any secret, unconfessed sin that could be the true cause of his immense suffering, thereby upholding his claim of righteousness and transparent conduct. This verse is part of Job's final and comprehensive oath of cleansing, where he systematically defends himself against implied or explicit accusations of wrongdoing by his friends, inviting God's judgment if he speaks falsely.

Job 31 33 Context

Job 31 is the climax of Job’s final speech, a powerful self-vindication before God and his friends. After numerous chapters where Job's friends accuse him of hidden sin as the cause of his suffering, and Job steadfastly denies these accusations, Job 31 acts as his solemn, detailed oath of purgation or an "oath of innocence." He itemizes a long list of potential sins – covetousness, lust, injustice towards servants or the poor, violence, hypocrisy, idolatry – and calls down curses upon himself if he has committed any of them. Each declaration in this chapter begins with an "If I..." or "If my..." statement, affirming his righteous conduct. Verse 33 directly addresses the issue of hidden sin, a common accusation by his friends. Job explicitly denies covering up any wrongdoing, demonstrating his transparency before God, implicitly challenging his friends' belief that his suffering must stem from some secret iniquity. This defense culminates in Job inviting the Almighty to respond to his claims.

Job 31 33 Word analysis

• If I covered (אִם-כִּסִּיתִי - 'im-kissîṯî):

  • 'im (אִם): "If." Introduces a hypothetical condition, setting up a negative consequence should the condition be true. It emphasizes Job's strong denial and assertion of innocence.
  • kissîṯî (כִּסִּיתִי): From the verb kasah (כָּסָה), meaning "to cover," "to conceal," "to hide." This suggests intentional, active hiding of wrong deeds. Job uses a perfect tense here, referring to past action. His claim is that he never has hidden sin.

• my transgressions (פְּשָׁעָ֑י - pəšāʿāy):

  • From pesha' (פֶּשַׁע), which denotes "transgression," "rebellion," or "revolt." It implies a deliberate breach of trust, an offense against a covenant or authority, rather than an unintentional error. Job emphasizes he has committed no such hidden, rebellious acts.

• as Adam (כְּאָדָֽם - kə’ādām):

  • kə (כְּ): "As," "like," or "in the manner of." This comparative particle links Job's action (or inaction) to Adam.
  • 'ādām (אָדָם): This is the pivotal and debated word.
    • Primary interpretation (and strongly supported): Refers to the first man, Adam, in Genesis 3. After eating from the forbidden tree, Adam and Eve "hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden" (Gen 3:8). When confronted, Adam still attempted to shift blame and conceal his guilt (Gen 3:10, 12). This interpretation directly portrays Job distinguishing himself from this primordial act of sinful concealment and evasion. It shows Job challenging a fundamental human flaw rooted in humanity's origin.
    • Secondary interpretation: Could mean "as (any) man," referring to a common human tendency or a universal characteristic of humanity to conceal their sins. While grammatically possible, the explicit Genesis account of "hiding" makes the reference to the first man a more potent and specific comparison, adding significant weight to Job's denial. Most scholars lean toward the specific personal name reference due to the immediate association with "hiding."

• by hiding (לִטְמֽוֹן - liṭmôn):

  • From the verb taman (טָמַן), "to hide," "to conceal," "to bury," "to store away." This term strongly reinforces kasah (covered) and emphasizes deep-seated concealment. It is an infinitive construct, specifying how the covering or sin took place.

• my iniquity (עֲוֺנִ֖י - ʿawōnî):

  • From ʿawon (עָוֹן), signifying "iniquity," "guilt," "punishment for iniquity," or "perversity." This word focuses on the inner moral crookedness and the associated culpability. It represents a deeper moral defilement than pesha', which often refers to the overt act.

• in my bosom (בְּחֻבִּֽי - bəḥubbî):

  • bə (בְּ): "In."
  • ḥubbî (חֻבִּי): From ḥob (חֹב) or ḥeq (חֵק), referring to the "bosom," "lap," or "inner chamber" of the garment/person. To hide something "in the bosom" metaphorically means to keep it secretly within one's deepest self, to guard it closely and intentionally from discovery, perhaps implying something cherished or integral. It points to a deep, internal concealment, emphasizing Job's claim that he held no such secret guilt.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "If I covered my transgressions as Adam": This phrase directly confronts the universal human inclination to hide wrongdoing. By denying he has acted "as Adam," Job asserts a radical transparency and honesty rarely found in humanity, emphasizing that he has not behaved hypocritically by outwardly appearing righteous while inwardly harboring guilt.
  • "by hiding my iniquity in my bosom": This part reiterates the intentionality and depth of the concealment. "In my bosom" signifies keeping something internal, cherished, or secret, suggesting a conscious decision to suppress or harbor a wrong, keeping it out of the public eye and away from God's knowledge. Job’s denial speaks to his integrity not only in action but also in his heart and motives.

Job 31 33 Bonus section

The reference "as Adam" (כְּאָדָם) is unique in the Old Testament, with the most likely other contender being Hos 6:7. In Hosea, the reference to "Adam" also has interpretational nuances, with some seeing it as referring to a specific place or collective "man," but a link to the Genesis narrative remains strong for both texts. Job’s explicit parallel to the hiding act in Genesis 3 is compelling. This not only places Job within the grand narrative of humanity's fall but also elevates his oath to a fundamental challenge of humanity's sinful nature. It portrays Job striving for a purity that goes beyond human tendency, making his lament both personal and archetypal. His bold defiance sets the stage for God's ultimate intervention, where Job’s perceived self-righteousness would be humbled not because he hid sin, but because he still needed a clearer understanding of God's majesty and sovereignty beyond his human frame of reference.

Job 31 33 Commentary

Job 31:33 stands as a profound declaration of Job’s inner purity and moral integrity, countering the core accusation of his friends that his suffering must stem from some hidden, unconfessed sin. By comparing himself directly to Adam, Job places his honesty in stark contrast to humanity's primal act of concealment and blame-shifting. He's not just saying he hasn't sinned outwardly; he's declaring he hasn't internally harbored or hidden any guilt, nor tried to deceive God or man. This reflects a genuine and open spirit that seeks no cover for its failings. His assertion highlights a crucial theological point: true righteousness involves transparency before God, with no secret chambers of unconfessed sin. It points towards a heart that has nothing to hide, demonstrating a commitment to God that runs deeper than outward conformity, valuing truth in the inward being. For a modern believer, this challenges us to examine our own lives: are there hidden "transgressions" or "iniquities" we conceal, refusing to bring them into the light of God's forgiveness and cleansing? True freedom comes not from hiding, but from humble confession and transparent living before God and man.