Job 31:23

For destruction [from] God [was] a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.

For destruction {H343} from God {H410} was a terror {H6343} to me, and by reason of his highness {H7613} I could {H3201} not endure.

For calamity from God has always terrified me; before his majesty I could never do a thing [like that].

For calamity from God terrifies me, and His splendor I cannot overpower.

For calamity from God is a terror to me, And by reason of his majesty I can do nothing.

Job 31:23 stands as a powerful declaration from Job, explaining the underlying motivation for his righteous conduct throughout his life. This verse is part of his final, impassioned defense where he invokes an oath of purification, detailing various sins he claims he has never committed.

Context of Job 31

In Job 31, Job lays out an extensive list of potential transgressions, swearing before God that he is innocent of them. From lustful glances (Job 31:1) to injustice towards servants (Job 31:13-15), and from exploiting the poor (Job 31:16-22) to idolatry (Job 31:26-28), Job systematically defends his character. Verse 23 serves as the foundational reason for his uprightness: a profound and healthy fear of God's judgment.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Fear of God as a Motivator: Job explicitly states that his avoidance of sin was driven by a terrifying awareness of divine retribution. This isn't merely a fear of punishment, but a deep reverence for God's holiness and justice. The Bible often presents the "fear of the Lord" as the beginning of wisdom and a pathway to life.
  • God's Sovereignty and Highness: Job acknowledges God's supreme authority and majesty. The phrase "by reason of his highness" highlights God's transcendence and His ultimate power over creation and humanity. This understanding underscores the futility of resisting or deceiving an omnipotent God.
  • Inability to Endure Divine Judgment: Job expresses a complete inability to withstand God's judgment or even His glorious presence if found guilty. This reflects a deep understanding of God's unapproachable holiness, a theme echoed in passages like Isaiah 6:5 where Isaiah cries, "Woe is me! for I am undone."

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "destruction" (shod) can refer to desolation, ruin, or violent calamity, often with the implication of divine punishment. This term intensifies the sense of terror Job felt. "Highness" (g'on) conveys God's majesty, excellence, and exalted nature, emphasizing the vast gulf between human frailty and divine power.

Practical Application

Job's declaration provides a powerful reminder that a proper understanding of God's character – His holiness, justice, and supreme power – should profoundly influence our actions. While the New Testament introduces the concept of grace and love through Christ, the underlying reverence for God's authority remains essential. A healthy fear of God, not as a slavish terror but as a deep respect for His righteousness and consequences for sin, can be a vital safeguard against temptation and a motivator for pursuing an upright life. It encourages us to live with an awareness of God's omnipresence and His ultimate judgment, aligning our lives with His will, just as Job sought to do even amidst his severe trials, demonstrating his unwavering faith in God.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 119:120

    My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

  • Job 13:11

    Shall not his excellency make you afraid? and his dread fall upon you?

  • 2 Corinthians 5:11

    Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

  • Job 40:9

    Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?

  • Job 21:20

    His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.

  • Isaiah 13:6

    ¶ Howl ye; for the day of the LORD [is] at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.

  • Job 20:23

    ¶ [When] he is about to fill his belly, [God] shall cast the fury of his wrath upon him, and shall rain [it] upon him while he is eating.

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