Job 31:10

KJV

[Then] let my wife grind unto another, and let others bow down upon her.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then let my wife {H802} grind {H2912} unto another {H312}, and let others {H312} bow down {H3766} 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 31:10 is a pivotal declaration within Job's final, comprehensive self-vindication, where he vehemently asserts his innocence against the accusations of hidden sin. In this verse, Job invokes a severe, deeply humiliating curse upon himself and his wife, stating that if he has been guilty of sexual immorality, specifically adultery, his wife should be subjected to sexual violation by other men. This willingness to hypothetically endure the ultimate marital and societal disgrace—his wife engaging in sexual acts with other men—underscores the profound seriousness with which he viewed marital fidelity and his absolute conviction of his own blamelessness in this regard, appealing to God as his ultimate witness and judge.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 31 serves as the climactic conclusion to Job's extensive defense speeches (chapters 29-31), delivered after the arguments of his three friends and Elihu's interjection. Having been unjustly accused of hidden sin as the cause of his immense suffering, Job presents an exhaustive oath of clearance, systematically detailing various ethical and moral principles he has upheld throughout his life. This chapter functions as a solemn, point-by-point refutation of potential transgressions, including injustice, oppression, disregard for the poor, idolatry, and, as seen in [Job 31:9-12](/job/31-9-12 "Job 31:9-12 - Job's Oath Regarding Lust and Adultery"), sexual impurity. His self-curse in [Job 31:10](/job/31-10 "Job 31:10 - Job's Self-Curse Regarding Adultery") is a powerful rhetorical device employed to emphasize the depth of his integrity and his absolute conviction that he has not violated the marital covenant. This declaration serves as a direct appeal to God, challenging Him to find any fault in Job's conduct, culminating in Job's earnest desire for God to answer him and produce the indictment ([Job 31:35](/job/31-35 "Job 31:35 - Job's Plea for God to Answer")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, marital fidelity was of paramount importance, and adultery was considered a grave offense, often punishable by death ([Leviticus 20:10](/leviticus/20-10 "Leviticus 20:10 - Punishment for Adultery")). The patriarchal society placed an exceptionally high value on a man's honor, which was intimately tied to the purity and fidelity of his household, particularly his wife. A wife's adultery brought immense shame, dishonor, and legal repercussions upon her husband. Self-curses, or imprecations, were a common and solemn practice in legal and covenantal contexts, where an individual would invoke a severe punishment upon themselves if found guilty of a stated offense. By invoking such a graphic and humiliating consequence for his wife, Job was not expressing a desire for her harm, but rather demonstrating the absolute certainty of his own innocence and his willingness to face the most extreme societal disgrace if he were lying. This practice highlights the solemnity of oaths and the pervasive belief in divine retribution for covenant violations, reflecting the deep societal and legal norms of the time.
* **Key Themes:** Job's declaration in [Job 31:10](/job/31-10 "Job 31:10 - Job's Self-Curse Regarding Adultery") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Job. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the theme of **Integrity and Purity**, portraying Job as a man committed to moral and sexual purity, not just outwardly but in his heart and thoughts, as he states in [Job 31:1](/job/31-1 "Job 31:1 - Job's Covenant with His Eyes"). Secondly, it highlights the **Sanctity of the Marital Covenant**, emphasizing the profound value placed on faithfulness within marriage and the devastating consequences of its breach. Job's willingness to accept such a shameful outcome if guilty reveals the deep societal and personal anguish associated with adultery. Thirdly, the verse speaks to the theme of **Divine Justice and Accountability**, as Job is essentially inviting God's judgment upon himself, confident that a just God will vindicate his blamelessness. This reflects Job's unwavering belief in a God who sees all actions and will ultimately judge righteously, even when human understanding of suffering fails, a central theme explored throughout [the book of Job](/job/1 "The Book of Job").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wife (Hebrew, _ʼishshâh'_):** The term אִשָּׁה (_ʼishshâh_) refers to a woman, specifically a wife in this context (H802). Job's inclusion of his wife in the self-curse is not an indictment of her, but a profound statement about the nature of marital fidelity and the husband's honor in ancient society. The wife's purity was inextricably linked to the husband's reputation and the integrity of the household. Thus, the hypothetical violation of his wife by others represents the ultimate public disgrace and personal anguish for Job, underscoring the severity of the oath.
* **Grind (Hebrew, _ṭâchan'_):** The verb טָחַן (_ṭâchan_, H2912) literally means "to grind meal," a laborious task typically performed by women using a handmill. In this context, it functions as a vivid and stark euphemism for sexual intercourse. The imagery evokes a sense of arduous, perhaps even degrading, labor, implying his wife being used or exploited sexually by another man. The choice of this word emphasizes the base and common nature of the act, stripping it of any intimacy or affection, and highlighting the profound humiliation it would bring upon Job and his household.
* **Another/Others (Hebrew, _ʼachêr'_):** The word אַחֵר (_ʼachêr_, H312) means "another" or "others," indicating a person or persons distinct from the husband. Its use here is crucial, as it specifies that the sexual acts would be with someone outside the marital covenant. This emphasizes the violation of exclusivity that is fundamental to the sanctity of marriage. The plural "others" in the second clause ("let others bow down upon her") further amplifies the degree of promiscuity and public humiliation Job is hypothetically willing to endure, underscoring the depth of his conviction regarding his own fidelity.
* **Bow down (Hebrew, _kâraʻ'_):** The verb כָּרַע (_kâraʻ_, H3766) literally means "to bend the knee," "to sink," or "to prostrate." It often describes a posture of submission or worship. Here, it also serves as a euphemism for sexual intimacy, specifically implying a position of physical contact or submission during intercourse. The combination with "grind" creates a graphic and unequivocal picture of sexual violation, underscoring the severity of the curse Job invokes upon himself if he were to be found guilty of the sin he denies.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[Then] let my wife grind unto another":** This clause presents the first part of Job's self-imprecation. The implied "then" (from the preceding conditional statements in [Job 31:9](/job/31-9 "Job 31:9 - Job's Oath Regarding Lust")) indicates a conditional curse: "If my heart has been enticed by a woman... *then* let this happen." "Let my wife grind unto another" is a euphemism for sexual intercourse, specifically implying his wife engaging in sexual acts with a man other than himself. This is a direct and deeply humiliating consequence, striking at the core of his marital covenant and his honor as a husband in ancient society. It signifies the ultimate betrayal and public disgrace.
* **"and let others bow down upon her":** This second clause reinforces and amplifies the first. "Others" (the plural of _ʼachêr_) emphasizes multiple partners, suggesting promiscuity or a complete lack of control over his wife's fidelity and, by extension, his household's honor. "Bow down upon her" is another euphemism for sexual intercourse, further solidifying the image of his wife being sexually exploited by multiple men. The cumulative effect of these two clauses is a declaration of the most extreme form of marital dishonor and violation, which Job is willing to accept as divine judgment if his claims of innocence regarding sexual purity are false.

#### Literary Devices
Job 31:10 masterfully employs several **literary devices** to convey the gravity of Job's oath. The most prominent is **Euphemism**, where the explicit act of sexual intercourse is indirectly referred to by the phrases "grind unto another" and "bow down upon her." This indirect language, while common in biblical texts for sensitive topics, does not diminish the force of the statement; rather, it makes the implications even more stark by evoking visceral, common actions ("grinding" grain) to describe a deeply intimate and violating act. The verse also functions as an **Imprecation** or **Self-Curse**, a solemn oath where Job calls down a specific, severe punishment upon himself if his declaration of innocence is untrue. This rhetorical strategy is a powerful testament to his conviction, as it places his honor and the sanctity of his household directly under divine judgment. Furthermore, there is an element of **Hyperbole** in the extremity of the curse. While adultery was a grave sin, Job's willingness to envision such a public and repeated violation of his wife's body highlights the depth of his commitment to purity and the rhetorical intensity of his defense.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job's shocking self-curse in [Job 31:10](/job/31-10 "Job 31:10 - Job's Self-Curse Regarding Adultery") serves as a profound theological statement on the sanctity of marriage and the gravity of sexual sin. It demonstrates that Job understood marital fidelity not merely as a social convention but as a sacred covenant, reflecting a divine order. His willingness to invoke such a devastating consequence underscores the biblical principle that sexual immorality is not a private sin but one that deeply impacts the covenant relationship, the family, and the community, bringing shame and defilement. Job's appeal to God as the ultimate judge of his inner thoughts and outward actions highlights the pervasive nature of God's knowledge and His demand for holistic integrity, extending even to the most intimate aspects of life. This passage implicitly affirms God's standard for sexual purity, which is rooted in His holy character and His design for human relationships.

* [Hebrews 13:4](/hebrews/13-4 "Hebrews 13:4 - Marriage is to be Honored")
* [Proverbs 6:32-33](/proverbs/6-32-33 "Proverbs 6:32-33 - Consequences of Adultery")
* [Matthew 5:28](/matthew/5-28 "Matthew 5:28 - Adultery of the Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job's fervent declaration in [Job 31:10](/job/31-10 "Job 31:10 - Job's Self-Curse Regarding Adultery") offers a challenging mirror for contemporary believers. In a world increasingly desensitized to sexual immorality and the erosion of marital fidelity, Job's absolute commitment to purity, even to the point of invoking a horrific curse upon himself, stands as a stark reminder of God's unchanging standard. His integrity was not merely external but extended to his thoughts and desires, as evidenced by his covenant with his eyes in [Job 31:1](/job/31-1 "Job 31:1 - Job's Covenant with His Eyes"). This calls us to a similar level of vigilance and intentionality in guarding our hearts, minds, and relationships. It compels us to recognize that marriage is a sacred covenant, designed by God, and that fidelity within it is a reflection of our faithfulness to Him. The devastating consequences Job was willing to consider highlight the destructive power of sexual sin, not only for the individuals involved but for families and communities. Therefore, this passage urges us to pursue holiness in all areas of our lives, to honor the marriage bed, and to live with an integrity that can withstand scrutiny, knowing that all our actions are ultimately before the eyes of a just and holy God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job's extreme self-curse challenge my own understanding of the seriousness of sexual sin and marital fidelity in today's culture?**
* **In what ways can I, like Job, make a "covenant with my eyes" and guard my heart against lust and impurity in an increasingly visual and permissive society?**
* **How does my commitment to integrity in private life reflect my public witness as a follower of Christ?**
* **What practical steps can I take to honor the sanctity of marriage, whether my own or that of others, in my words and actions?**

### FAQ

**Why would Job invoke such a harsh curse involving his wife?**

Answer: Job's invocation of a harsh curse involving his wife was not an expression of malice towards her, but a rhetorical and legal device common in the ancient Near East known as a self-imprecation. By stating that he would accept the most humiliating and devastating consequence imaginable—his wife's sexual violation—if he were guilty of adultery, Job was emphatically asserting the absolute certainty of his innocence. In a patriarchal society, a man's honor was inextricably linked to the fidelity of his wife and the purity of his household. Therefore, this curse represented the ultimate societal disgrace and personal anguish, making his declaration of blamelessness incredibly powerful and solemn before God and his accusers. It was a demonstration of his profound conviction and his willingness to submit to divine judgment if he had lied, as he believed God would ultimately vindicate the righteous.

**Does this verse imply that Job saw his wife as property?**

Answer: While the language of the ancient world, particularly a patriarchal society, can sound objectifying to modern ears, the primary intent of [Job 31:10](/job/31-10 "Job 31:10 - Job's Self-Curse Regarding Adultery") is not to define the wife as property but to emphasize the profound dishonor and covenant violation that adultery represented to the husband and the household. Marriage was a sacred covenant, and a wife's fidelity was central to the husband's honor and the family's integrity. The curse reflects the societal understanding of the ultimate shame a man could endure if his marital covenant was breached in such a public and egregious way. Job's concern is with his own integrity and the sanctity of the marital bond, which he views as sacred, not merely transactional. His willingness to accept such a curse underscores the depth of his respect for the covenant and his own blamelessness within it.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job, in his human integrity, could only offer a self-curse to attest to his blamelessness concerning the law, Christ perfectly fulfilled all righteousness, not needing to invoke any curse upon Himself. Job's profound commitment to marital fidelity and purity, even in thought ([Job 31:1](/job/31-1 "Job 31:1 - Job's Covenant with His Eyes")), foreshadows the perfect obedience of Jesus, who not only kept the letter of the law but also perfectly embodied its spirit, teaching that lust in the heart is adultery ([Matthew 5:28](/matthew/5-28 "Matthew 5:28 - Adultery of the Heart")). Job's willingness to suffer the ultimate shame if found guilty points to Christ, who, though perfectly innocent and without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus was Tempted but Sinless")), willingly bore the ultimate shame and curse of humanity on the cross ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")). He became the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), enduring the divine judgment and public humiliation that Job hypothetically invoked upon himself for a single sin. Through Christ's perfect life and atoning death, believers are not subject to the curses of the law for their failures, but are clothed in His righteousness and offered grace, transforming hearts to pursue the very purity and fidelity Job so desperately sought to demonstrate ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.