Job 31:22

KJV

[Then] let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then let mine arm {H3802} fall {H5307} from my shoulder blade {H7929}, and mine arm {H248} be broken {H7665} from the bone {H7070}.

Complete Jewish Bible

then let my arm fall from its socket, and let my forearm be broken at the elbow!

Berean Standard Bible

then may my arm fall from my shoulder and be torn from its socket.

American Standard Version

Then let my shoulder fall from the shoulder-blade, And mine arm be broken from the bone.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 31:22 is a powerful self-imprecation uttered by Job as he concludes his final defense, specifically following his vehement denial of sexual immorality and lust. In this verse, Job calls down a severe physical curse upon himself—the complete incapacitation of his arm—should he be found guilty of the sins he has just disavowed. This dramatic oath underscores the depth of his conviction in his own integrity, his profound understanding of the gravity of sin, and his unwavering belief in God's perfect justice and the principle of retribution.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 31:22 is situated within Job's climactic monologue, spanning chapters [Job 29](/job/29 "Job's Lament and Defense") through [Job 31](/job/31 "Job's Oath of Innocence"). After recounting his former prosperity and blameless life in [Job 29](/job/29 "Job's Former Prosperity") and lamenting his current suffering in [Job 30](/job/30 "Job's Present Suffering"), Job dedicates [Job 31](/job/31 "Job's Oath of Innocence") to a detailed, systematic oath of innocence. He lists various categories of sin—ranging from injustice and oppression to idolatry and sexual impurity—and, for each, invokes a specific, often gruesome, self-curse if he were guilty. Verse 22 directly follows his solemn declaration regarding adultery and lust in [Job 31:9-12](/job/31-9 "Job's oath regarding adultery and lust"), making the chosen curse particularly poignant and symbolically linked to the denied offense. This structure reinforces Job's unwavering conviction and his willingness to submit to divine judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Self-imprecations, or conditional curses invoked upon oneself, were a well-established practice in the ancient Near East. Such oaths were considered legally binding and spiritually potent, serving as a powerful means to affirm truthfulness, prove innocence, or seal a covenant. The severity of the invoked curse often correlated with the perceived gravity of the denied transgression. In Israelite society, sexual immorality, particularly adultery, was viewed as an exceptionally heinous offense, not merely a private sin but a breach of covenant with severe societal and divine consequences, often punishable by death as outlined in [Leviticus 20:10](/leviticus/20-10 "Leviticus 20:10 - Punishment for Adultery"). Job's willingness to call down such a debilitating physical punishment reflects his deep understanding of these cultural and religious norms, emphasizing the sincerity and weight of his oath.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Book of Job and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Job's Integrity and Righteousness**, as he passionately defends his character against his friends' accusations, asserting his blamelessness before God, echoing the divine assessment in [Job 1:1](/job/1-1 "Job 1:1 - Job's Blamelessness"). The self-curse also highlights the **Gravity of Sin**, particularly sexual impurity, demonstrating how seriously such transgressions were viewed in ancient Israel and by Job himself. Furthermore, it underscores Job's unwavering belief in **Divine Justice and Retribution**, affirming that God sees all deeds and will justly administer consequences, a principle found throughout wisdom literature (e.g., [Proverbs 11:31](/proverbs/11-31 "Proverbs 11:31 - The Righteous and the Wicked are Recompensed")). Finally, the practice of **Ancient Oaths and Curses** is illuminated, providing insight into the cultural mechanisms for truth-telling and accountability in the absence of modern legal systems.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Arm (Hebrew, _zᵉrōaʿ_):** This Hebrew word refers to the forearm or the entire arm, often symbolizing strength, power, and the capacity for action. In biblical literature, God's "arm" frequently represents His mighty power and saving strength (e.g., [Exodus 6:6](/exodus/6-6 "Exodus 6:6 - God's Outstretched Arm")). For a human, the arm is the primary instrument of labor, defense, and embrace. Job's curse of having his arm fall or be broken signifies a complete loss of physical capability, rendering him utterly helpless and unable to perform basic functions or engage in the very acts (like illicit embrace) he denies committing.
* **Shoulder Blade (Hebrew, _shikhmah_):** This term refers to the shoulder, specifically the part connecting the arm to the body. It represents the point of support, stability, and the origin of the arm's power. For the arm to "fall from" the shoulder blade implies a complete dismemberment or severance, a total and irreversible incapacitation, far more severe than a mere break. It emphasizes the absolute destruction of his physical capacity.
* **Broken (Hebrew, _shāvar_):** This verb means to break, shatter, or destroy. It conveys a sense of violent fragmentation and irreparable damage. The repetition of the arm being broken, following the image of it falling from the shoulder, intensifies the severity of the proposed punishment, highlighting the totality of the physical destruction Job is willing to accept if he is found guilty.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[Then] let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade":** This clause initiates the self-imprecation, presenting a vivid image of complete dismemberment or detachment. The arm, the instrument of action and strength, is depicted as becoming utterly useless, separated from its very foundation. This specific curse is particularly fitting given the preceding denial of sexual sin, as the arm could be used in illicit embraces or actions. The loss of the arm would symbolize the loss of ability to commit such acts and the public shame associated with such a debilitating injury.
* **"and mine arm be broken from the bone":** This second clause functions as a strong parallel, intensifying the first. "From the bone" could refer to a complete fracture, a shattering of the bone itself, or even a separation from the main bone structure of the body. It reiterates the theme of total incapacitation and destruction. The repetition of "mine arm" underscores the personal nature of the curse and the profound physical suffering and public humiliation it would entail, serving as a powerful testament to Job's conviction of his innocence.

#### Literary Devices
Job 31:22 employs several potent literary devices to convey its dramatic impact. The most prominent is **Self-Imprecation**, where Job calls down a curse upon himself, serving as a solemn oath to affirm his truthfulness. This device highlights the sincerity and weight of his declaration of innocence. **Hyperbole** is also evident in the extremity of the proposed punishment; the complete dismemberment and shattering of an arm is an exaggerated consequence, emphasizing the profound gravity Job attributes to the sins he denies. Furthermore, **Symbolism** is crucial, as the "arm" represents strength, capability, and action. Its incapacitation symbolizes a complete loss of power and the inability to commit the very acts of sin (like illicit embrace) he has just disavowed. Finally, the verse exhibits a form of **Parallelism**, where the second clause ("and mine arm be broken from the bone") reiterates and intensifies the imagery of the first ("let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade"), reinforcing the totality and severity of the desired punishment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 31:22 stands as a profound testament to Job's unwavering commitment to integrity and his deep understanding of divine justice. His willingness to invoke such a severe physical curse upon himself, should he be found guilty of the sins he denies, underscores a foundational biblical principle: actions have consequences, and God is a righteous judge who sees all. This self-imprecation is not a mere rhetorical flourish but a solemn oath rooted in a worldview where moral purity is paramount and accountability before God is absolute. It reflects a deep conviction that God's justice is perfect and that true righteousness extends beyond outward conformity to the inner desires and intentions of the heart, a concept later emphasized by Jesus. Job's declaration thus serves as a powerful reminder of the seriousness with which God views sin and the ultimate certainty of divine recompense.

* [Leviticus 20:10](/leviticus/20-10 "Leviticus 20:10 - Punishment for Adultery")
* [Proverbs 11:31](/proverbs/11-31 "Proverbs 11:31 - The Righteous and the Wicked are Recompensed")
* [Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - Sowing and Reaping")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 31:22 challenges us to examine the depth of our own integrity and the sincerity of our walk before God. Job's dramatic self-curse, made in the face of immense suffering and false accusation, serves as a powerful reminder that true righteousness is not merely about outward conformity to rules, but about the purity of heart and intention. It compels us to consider how seriously we view sin, particularly those hidden transgressions of thought and desire that only God sees. Are we willing to stand before God with a clear conscience, or do we rationalize our shortcomings? This verse calls us to cultivate a life of profound honesty, not just with others, but with ourselves and, most importantly, with the Almighty. It reminds us that God is a God of justice, and while we are saved by grace through faith, our lives should reflect a genuine commitment to holiness, knowing that we are ultimately accountable to Him for every thought, word, and deed.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job's willingness to invoke a severe self-curse challenge my own understanding of integrity and accountability before God?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to compromise my integrity, particularly in thoughts or hidden actions?**
* **What does Job's profound conviction about the gravity of sin teach me about my own attitudes towards sin and holiness?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper sense of purity of heart, knowing that God sees beyond outward appearances?**

### FAQ
**Why does Job invoke such a severe physical curse upon himself?**

Answer: Job invokes this severe physical curse—the incapacitation of his arm—as a solemn self-imprecation, a form of oath common in the ancient Near East. He does this to vehemently affirm his innocence, specifically regarding the sins of sexual immorality and lust, which he denies in the preceding verses ([Job 31:9-12](/job/31-9 "Job's oath regarding adultery and lust")). By calling down such a debilitating punishment, Job demonstrates the absolute depth of his conviction in his blamelessness and his willingness to submit to divine judgment. The severity of the curse underscores the gravity of the sin he denies, and the specific nature of the curse (loss of the arm) symbolically relates to the denied offense, as the arm is an instrument of action and embrace. It's his ultimate declaration of integrity before God and his accusers.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 31:22, while a declaration of Job's personal integrity and a testament to his understanding of divine justice, finds its ultimate fulfillment and most profound meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Job, though righteous in his own sphere, was still a fallen human being who could only *claim* innocence of certain sins, not perfect righteousness in all things. His willingness to accept a curse for sin, though he was innocent of the specific transgression he denied, foreshadows Christ's perfect and unblemished righteousness, for Jesus "committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in his mouth" ([1 Peter 2:22](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22 - Christ's Sinlessness")). More strikingly, Job's readiness to bear a physical curse for sin points to Jesus, who, though perfectly innocent of all sin, willingly became a curse for us on the cross, enduring the ultimate physical and spiritual brokenness so that we might be redeemed ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Became a Curse for Us")). The image of Job's arm being broken and falling, symbolizing utter incapacitation and the consequence of sin, finds its echo in the broken body of Christ, whose suffering and death on the cross were the very means by which the curse of sin was borne and overcome, offering true purity and redemption to all who believe ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Christ's Wounds for Our Healing")).

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

Job 31:10

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

Job 38:15

And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.

Job 31:40

Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.

Joshua 22:22

The LORD God of gods, the LORD God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel he shall know; if [it be] in rebellion, or if in transgression against the LORD, (save us not this day,)

Joshua 22:23

That we have built us an altar to turn from following the LORD, or if to offer thereon burnt offering or meat offering, or if to offer peace offerings thereon, let the LORD himself require [it];

Psalms 137:6

If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

Psalms 7:4

If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)