King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
[Then] let my wife grind unto another, and let others bow down upon her.
Complete Jewish Bible:
then let my wife grind for another man, and let others kneel on her.
Berean Standard Bible:
then may my own wife grind grain for another, and may other men sleep with her.
American Standard Version:
Then let my wife grind unto another, And let others bow down upon her.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Then let my wife{H802} grind{H2912} unto another{H312}, and let others{H312} bow down{H3766} upon her.
Cross-References (KJV):
Jeremiah 8:10
- Therefore will I give their wives unto others, [and] their fields to them that shall inherit [them]: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.
Isaiah 47:2
- Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers.
2 Samuel 12:11
- Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give [them] unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.
Deuteronomy 28:30
- Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her: thou shalt build an house, and thou shalt not dwell therein: thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shalt not gather the grapes thereof.
Exodus 11:5
- And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that [is] behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.
Matthew 24:41
- Two [women shall be] grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Hosea 4:13
- They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow thereof [is] good: therefore your daughters shall commit whoredom, and your spouses shall commit adultery.
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Commentary for Job 31:10
Job 31:10 is part of the poetic dialogues in the Book of Job, which is traditionally ascribed to the wisdom literature of the Hebrew Bible. The verse is situated within a larger discourse where Job, having suffered the loss of his wealth, children, and health, is defending his integrity against the accusations of his friends who suggest that his suffering must be a punishment for sin.
In verse 31:10, Job uses a powerful and graphic metaphor to express the depth of his despair and the severity of his losses. By invoking the image of his wife having to work as a servant, grinding grain for another household, and further humiliated by being subjected to the sexual advances of others, Job is illustrating the complete overturning of his domestic life and social standing. This verse reflects the themes of suffering, righteousness, and the questioning of theodicy—the justice of God in allowing the righteous to suffer.
Historically, the Book of Job is thought to have been written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), a period when the people of Israel were grappling with theodicy in the face of national disaster. The verse reflects the broader cultural and religious concerns of that era, as the people sought to understand how a just God could permit extreme suffering among the faithful.
Job's statement in 31:10 is part of his final defense of his innocence and moral integrity. He is essentially saying that if he has sinned in any way, then he should suffer the full social and personal degradation that typically accompanied moral failure in his culture. This includes the loss of his wife's honor and their mutual fidelity, which were highly valued in ancient Near Eastern societies. The verse underscores the gravity of the consequences that Job believes would be justly deserved if he were indeed guilty of some hidden sin. It also highlights the profound sense of injustice he feels, as he has maintained his righteousness despite his undeserved suffering.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H802
There are 729 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִשָּׁה
Transliteration: ʼishshâh
Pronunciation: ish-shaw'
Description: feminine of אִישׁ or אֱנוֹשׁ; irregular plural, נָשִׁים;(used in the same wide sense as אֱנוֹשׁ); a woman; (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. - Strong's Number: H2912
There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: טָחַן
Transliteration: ṭâchan
Pronunciation: taw-khan'
Description: a primitive root; to grind meal; hence, to be aconcubine (that being their employment); grind(-er). - Strong's Number: H312
There are 271 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַחֵר
Transliteration: ʼachêr
Pronunciation: akh-air'
Description: from אָחַר; properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc.; (an-) other man, following, next, strange. - Strong's Number: H3766
There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כָּרַע
Transliteration: kâraʻ
Pronunciation: kaw-rah'
Description: a primitive root; to bend the knee; by implication, to sink, to prostrate; bow (down, self), bring down (low), cast down, couch, fall, feeble, kneeling, sink, smite (stoop) down, subdue, [idiom] very.