Job 31:37 kjv
I would declare unto him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near unto him.
Job 31:37 nkjv
I would declare to Him the number of my steps; Like a prince I would approach Him.
Job 31:37 niv
I would give him an account of my every step; I would present it to him as to a ruler.)?
Job 31:37 esv
I would give him an account of all my steps; like a prince I would approach him.
Job 31:37 nlt
For I would tell him exactly what I have done.
I would come before him like a prince.
Job 31 37 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Job 27:6 | "I hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go; my heart does not rebuke me for any of my days." | Job's resolute integrity. |
| Job 29:14-17 | "I put on righteousness as my clothing... I was eyes to the blind..." | Description of Job's righteous deeds. |
| Job 31:6 | "let Him weigh me on honest scales, and God will know my integrity." | Desire for God's just evaluation. |
| Ps 7:8 | "The LORD judges the peoples; Judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me." | A prayer for divine vindication based on integrity. |
| 1 Sam 24:15 | "May the LORD therefore be judge and give sentence between me and you..." | Appeals to God for just judgment. |
| Prov 20:7 | "The righteous who walks in integrity—blessed are his children after him!" | Affirmation of blessings for a life of integrity. |
| Ps 56:8 | "You have kept count of my wanderings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?" | God's meticulous knowledge of one's life. |
| Mal 3:16 | "Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another... a book of remembrance was written before Him..." | God's record-keeping of righteous actions. |
| Rev 20:12 | "And books were opened... another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged... according to their deeds." | God's ultimate judgment based on records. |
| Dan 7:10 | "A river of fire issued... Thousands upon thousands served Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened." | Scene of divine judgment with open records. |
| Heb 4:13 | "And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account." | All-encompassing divine knowledge and human accountability. |
| Rom 14:12 | "So then each of us will give an account of himself to God." | Individual accountability before God. |
| 2 Cor 5:10 | "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." | Believer's accountability for actions. |
| Eccl 12:14 | "For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil." | God's comprehensive judgment. |
| 1 Pet 4:5 | "They will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead." | Universal judgment by God. |
| Heb 4:16 | "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." | Approaching God with boldness (believer's confidence). |
| Eph 3:12 | "in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in Him." | Confidence and access through faith. |
| Job 23:3-4 | "Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, that I might come even to His seat! I would lay my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments." | Job's longing to present his case. |
| Isa 50:7-8 | "For the Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced... He who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me?..." | Assurance of divine help and vindication. |
| Ps 37:5-6 | "Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him... He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday." | Trusting God for vindication. |
| Phil 3:9 | "...and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ..." | Contrast between self-righteousness and Christ's righteousness. (Theologically relevant, as Job represents the former without direct knowledge of Christ). |
| 1 Jn 3:21 | "Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God..." | Confidence stemming from a clear conscience. |
Job 31 verses
Job 31 37 Meaning
Job 31:37 expresses Job's unwavering conviction of his integrity before God. He declares his willingness to meticulously account for every step he has taken, his entire life's conduct, and to approach the Divine Judge with the dignity and confidence of a prince presenting his blameless case. This statement underscores Job's belief that his life is an open book before God and that he stands unblemished, ready for divine scrutiny and vindication.
Job 31 37 Context
Job chapter 31 represents Job's climatic "oath of purgation" or final defense speech before God and his friends. Having systematically addressed and denied various common sins in verses 1-34 (e.g., lust, covetousness, injustice, mistreating servants, neglecting the poor, idolatry, rejoice in enemy's ruin, lacking hospitality, concealing sin), Job concludes his elaborate defense with a powerful declaration of innocence and a direct challenge for his accuser to present their case against him (v. 35-36). Verse 37 follows immediately, highlighting his profound willingness to account for his entire life. This verse shows Job's ultimate confidence in his integrity, daring to present his whole life record before God without fear of condemnation, viewing his life's record not as a burden of guilt but as a testimony he could proudly offer, akin to a badge of honor. It is a moment of deep conviction from a man who genuinely believes he has walked blamelessly.
Job 31 37 Word analysis
- number / count / mark (אֶמְנֶה - 'emnɛh): From the Hebrew root מָנָה (manah), meaning to count, number, assign, or prepare. Job is saying he would "meticulously count" or "mark out" his every step. This implies a precise and deliberate inventory of his conduct, not a mere estimate. It suggests a life lived with a consciousness of accountability and a thoroughness in righteous living. This verb also carries the nuance of appointment or assignment, subtly suggesting that even his steps were "assigned" by divine providence, thus emphasizing his consistent adherence to the path laid out for him.
- my steps (צְעָדָי - tsᵉ'ādāy): From צַעַד (tsa'ad), referring literally to a step or stride, but here, metaphorically denoting his path, conduct, progress, or course of life. This phrase signifies every action, every decision, every movement of his being. It means his entire journey of life, highlighting the detail and breadth of the "accounting" he offers. It extends beyond outward actions to encompass inner motivations and intentions that guided his journey.
- as a prince (כְּנָגִיד - kᵊnāḡîḏ): The Hebrew word נָגִיד (nagid) means a leader, prince, ruler, or noble. The preposition כְּ (kᵊ) means "as" or "like." This is a profoundly significant comparison. Instead of approaching God with the cowering humility or dread of a guilty subject, Job imagines himself approaching with the dignified confidence of a sovereign addressing a fellow ruler. A prince approaches with open access, honor, and without fear of concealed wrong, representing a kingdom with authority and rectitude. It underscores Job's self-perception of blamelessness and his audacious trust that he is worthy of such a direct, confident encounter with the Almighty. This isn't arrogance but the conviction of profound innocence in the face of groundless accusations.
- would I come near (אֶגַּשׁ - 'eḡaš): From the verb נָגַשׁ (nagash), meaning to draw near, approach, or step forward. This indicates active, deliberate movement towards the presence of God. It's not a hesitant or reluctant approach, but one characterized by initiative and purpose. Coupled with "as a prince," it highlights Job's unreserved willingness and bold posture to engage with God directly and without mediation, fully convinced of his uprightness.
Words-group Analysis:
- "I would declare to him the number of my steps": This phrase captures the meticulous nature of Job's commitment to righteousness and his confidence that his life, down to its smallest details ("steps"), can withstand divine scrutiny. He believes his life's record is entirely open before God and would even provide a comprehensive inventory of his conduct. This points to a life lived with careful attention to God's ways.
- "as a prince would I come near to him": This is a powerful metaphor for Job's confidence and dignity. He views his encounter with God not as a trembling culprit before an angry judge, but as an esteemed equal or a worthy, high-ranking individual. This bold posture suggests his belief that his integrity gives him direct and honored access to the Divine Presence, free from fear of guilt or shame. It is a striking assertion of his standing with God, especially in the context of immense suffering and accusations.
Job 31 37 Bonus section
The deep conviction expressed by Job in this verse (and indeed in the whole of chapter 31) sets a unique stage for God's eventual direct intervention in Job 38. Job’s declaration serves to highlight the vast chasm between human self-vindication, however sincere, and divine omniscience and omnipotence. While Job's integrity is later affirmed by God Himself (Job 42:7-8), his audacious claim to account for "every step" also subtly foreshadows the reality that only Christ, who truly lived a blameless life without need for His own purgation oath, could approach God "as a prince" by right, offering a perfect account for humanity. Job's desire to meticulously "number his steps" also alludes to the comprehensive nature of God's knowledge; Psalm 139 reminds us that God is intimately aware of all our ways, even our thoughts before they are uttered.
Job 31 37 Commentary
Job 31:37 forms the apex of Job’s extensive self-defense, encapsulating his unwavering belief in his innocence and his bold challenge to God to reveal any transgression. It is not an act of defiance, but a fervent appeal rooted in a clean conscience, expressed as a willingness to lay bare every aspect of his life, a meticulously counted ledger of his deeds. The imagery of approaching God "as a prince" is profoundly significant, portraying Job’s sense of honor and direct access. He desires not to hide in fear but to engage in a formal, dignified exchange, confident that his integrity would be his strongest argument. This verse prefigures the later divine revelation in the book, demonstrating that human righteousness, while real and deeply valued by God, cannot fully comprehend or dictate God's sovereign actions or the nature of suffering, ultimately leading to Job's profound repentance not for sin but for misunderstanding divine counsel (Job 42:6).