Job 31 35

Job 31:35 kjv

Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book.

Job 31:35 nkjv

Oh, that I had one to hear me! Here is my mark. Oh, that the Almighty would answer me, That my Prosecutor had written a book!

Job 31:35 niv

("Oh, that I had someone to hear me! I sign now my defense?let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser put his indictment in writing.

Job 31:35 esv

Oh, that I had one to hear me! (Here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me!) Oh, that I had the indictment written by my adversary!

Job 31:35 nlt

"If only someone would listen to me!
Look, I will sign my name to my defense.
Let the Almighty answer me.
Let my accuser write out the charges against me.

Job 31 verses

Job 31 35 Meaning

Job 31:35 represents Job's climactic declaration and passionate appeal to God, asserting his innocence and challenging the divine to engage in a direct legal confrontation. Job yearns for someone to hear his defense, offers his 'mark' as a signed testament to his truthfulness, and demands an answer from the Almighty regarding any charges against him. He expresses a fervent desire for his 'adversary'—whom he understands to be God—to present a written indictment detailing the reasons for his profound suffering. It is a desperate cry for vindication and clarity amidst unmerited affliction, seeking an explanation directly from the source of his trial.

Job 31 35 Context

Job 31:35 stands as the powerful conclusion to Job's final monologue, spanning chapters 29-31. After recalling his former esteemed position and righteous conduct (chapter 29) and lamenting his current profound suffering and humiliation (chapter 30), Job dedicates chapter 31 to an extensive "oath of purgation." In this section, he meticulously itemizes and denies various forms of sin and misconduct – ranging from injustice and exploitation of the poor, through adultery and idolatry, to selfishness and malice toward enemies. His self-attestation is absolute, swearing innocence regarding specific acts and the inner intentions behind them, inviting divine retribution if he speaks falsely.

This verse, therefore, serves as the ultimate culmination of his defense. Job, having exhaustively presented his case and sworn his integrity before humanity and God, now challenges the very basis of his suffering. He refuses to accept that he deserves this punishment and boldly demands that God, his perceived "adversary," steps forward, acknowledges his mark of testimony, and presents a formal accusation (an indictment) if one exists. This cry articulates Job's profound anguish and intellectual honesty, rejecting the simplistic cause-and-effect theology proposed by his friends. He seeks not just relief from suffering but a personal encounter and an explanation from God regarding the apparent disconnect between his righteousness and his misery. The historical context reflects ancient Near Eastern legal procedures, where a formal written charge and a sworn defense were central to dispute resolution, even against divine entities.

Job 31 35 Word analysis

• Oh, that I had one to hear me!

  • Oh, that: Expresses a fervent, often desperate, wish or yearning. It's a deeply emotional utterance, not merely a casual desire.
  • I had one to hear me: Hebrew: mi yitten-li (מִי יִתֵּן לִי) - "who will give to me," followed by shomēa' (שֹׁמֵעַ) - "a hearer" or "one who listens." This isn't just a desire for an ear; shama (שָׁמַע), the root, implies attentive listening, heeding, understanding, and even responding. Job desires someone who will genuinely apprehend his plight and, implicitly, judge fairly, not simply dismiss him. He seeks an impartial tribunal or, more accurately, a direct audience with God who would truly listen to his defense.

• Here is my mark;

  • Here is: An assertive, declarative presentation.
  • my mark: Hebrew: tāwī (תָּוִי), meaning "my mark" or "my sign." This refers to Job's signature or insignia, analogous to a legal signature today. In ancient contexts, such a mark might be a sign etched or sealed, representing the speaker's personal validation of a document or oath. It signified his personal endorsement and the binding nature of his solemn vow of innocence detailed in Job 31. He is signing off on his testimony, indicating that he has nothing more to add and stands firmly by every word. Some ancient scholars linked the tav to the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, sometimes depicted as an 'X' or even a 'cross-like' shape, symbolizing a final, conclusive stamp of authority.

• let the Almighty answer me!

  • let the Almighty: Hebrew: wᵉshadday ya‘anēnī (וְשַׁדַּי יַעֲנֵנִי) - "and Shaddai (the Almighty) let him answer me."
    • Almighty: Shaddai (שַׁדַּי). One of God's oldest and most powerful names, frequently used in the book of Job (31 times out of 48 occurrences in the OT). It conveys God's omnipotence, sovereign power, and often his sufficiency or self-sustainment. For Job to call upon Shaddai is to appeal to the highest authority, the God capable of all things, yet also implying a desire for divine engagement rather than distant judgment.
    • answer me: Hebrew: ‘anāh (עָנָה), to answer, respond, reply. Here, it implies a direct legal response or counter-argument. Job wants God to come forward not as an arbitrary afflictor, but as a righteous judge who would state His case and demonstrate any alleged guilt. This is an extremely bold demand from a human toward God.

• Oh, that I had the indictment written by my adversary!

  • Oh, that I had: (Again mi yitten-li) Reinforces the deep, fervent wish for this particular item.
  • the indictment: Hebrew: sēfer (סֵפֶר) - "a book" or "a scroll" (referring to a document) and rībī (רִיבִי) - "my contention," "my dispute," or "my legal case/charge." Thus, it means a document containing the charges or accusations in a legal dispute. Job wants the specific list of charges God has against him so he can properly defend himself.
  • written: Implies a formal, undeniable, and clear presentation of charges, characteristic of legal proceedings where transparency is expected.
  • by my adversary!: Hebrew: ‘īsh rīvī (אִישׁ רִיבִי) - "the man of my contention/dispute." While often used for a human legal opponent, in the context of Job's struggle and his preceding appeals to God, this 'adversary' is unequivocally God himself. This highlights Job's profound anguish where he perceives God not merely as a sovereign but as his direct opponent in a legal dispute. Job believes that God has laid charges against him without revealing them, thus denying him due process. His plea is for a fair trial against the very being he perceives to be bringing the overwhelming suffering upon him.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Oh, that I had one to hear me! ... let the Almighty answer me!": This pairing encapsulates Job's yearning for both empathetic understanding and judicial response. He wants not just any hearer, but God Himself, to directly engage with his presented defense and clarify His reasons for Job's suffering. It highlights his fundamental conviction of his righteousness against what he perceives as a divine injustice.
  • "Here is my mark; ... Oh, that I had the indictment written by my adversary!": This legalistic duo reveals Job's ultimate move in his self-defense. He signs his sworn testimony of innocence and then challenges God to present His counter-evidence. It's an unprecedented challenge from a human to the divine, demanding that the supposed prosecutor provide a specific, formal charge to allow for a proper defense. This speaks volumes about Job's deep personal integrity and his wrestling with God's perceived opaque actions.

Job 31 35 Bonus section

Job's call for tāvī (his mark) holds a special significance beyond a mere signature. The letter tav was the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet and, in ancient scripts, often looked like a cross (+ or X). This symbol sometimes represented a covenant, a signature, or a boundary. For Job to put his "mark" on his sworn innocence is akin to a sealing of a covenant of truth, binding him to every word he uttered and challenging the very heavens to find fault. It highlights his absolute conviction and unflinching stand on his righteousness.

This verse also sets the scene for one of the most significant theological encounters in the Old Testament. While Job demands a courtroom confrontation and specific charges, God’s eventual response in the whirlwind (Job 38-41) does not address Job’s request for a formal indictment or legal explanation. Instead, God reveals His infinite wisdom, power, and sovereignty in creation and providence. This divine response teaches Job (and readers) that God's ways are beyond human comprehension and accountability, transcending the confines of human legal frameworks. Yet, Job's bold, if almost irreverent, demand is heard, demonstrating God’s patience and willingness to engage with deeply pained and questioning hearts, even if His answer defies human expectation. It reveals the dynamic, relational nature of faith, allowing for lament, protest, and challenging inquiry before divine mystery.

Job 31 35 Commentary

Job 31:35 marks the zenith of Job's final and comprehensive defense, culminating his audacious monologue. He moves beyond simply maintaining his innocence; he now demands a direct, courtroom-like encounter with God. Job expresses a deep longing for someone to genuinely comprehend his plight, and finding no human advocate sufficient, he ultimately directs this plea to God Himself. By declaring, "Here is my mark," Job formally authenticates and stands by every word of his elaborate oath of purgation (chapter 31), daring God to dispute his flawless integrity. His cry, "let the Almighty answer me!" is an astonishing and direct challenge, stemming from profound anguish and a refusal to silently accept suffering he believes is unmerited.

He is not just questioning God, but invoking Him as a judicial respondent. The subsequent desire for "the indictment written by my adversary" clarifies that Job views God as his accuser, contending against him, but unfairly withholding the specific charges. He craves transparent accusations, confident that once revealed, he can dismantle them and prove his blamelessness. This verse embodies Job's relentless pursuit of divine justice and understanding, a radical human expression of grievance and trust in the midst of extreme adversity, ultimately setting the stage for God's majestic, though unexpected, appearance in chapters 38-41. It underscores Job's profound spiritual crisis—a faithful man driven by unbearable suffering to directly confront the God he serves, demanding clarity and justice, not simply succor. This bold stance, though seemingly presumptuous, arises from a deep conviction of innocence and a desperate need to reconcile his suffering with God's character.