Job 31:27

KJV

And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand:

KJV (with Strong's)

And my heart {H3820} hath been secretly {H5643} enticed {H6601}, or my mouth {H6310} hath kissed {H5401} my hand {H3027}:

Complete Jewish Bible

my heart was secretly seduced, so that I would wave them a kiss with my hand;

Berean Standard Bible

so that my heart was secretly enticed and my hand threw a kiss from my mouth,

American Standard Version

And my heart hath been secretly enticed, And my mouth hath kissed my hand:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 31:27 is a powerful declaration by Job of his unwavering integrity, specifically regarding the grave sin of idolatry. As part of his final and most comprehensive defense before God, Job asserts that neither his innermost thoughts nor his outward actions have ever been directed towards the worship of false gods or celestial bodies. This verse highlights his profound commitment to exclusive devotion to the one true God, emphasizing that his purity extended beyond mere external conformity to the very desires and inclinations of his heart.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 31 serves as the climactic conclusion of Job's lengthy and impassioned self-defense against the accusations of his friends. This chapter takes the form of a solemn oath of innocence, often referred to as a "negative confession," where Job systematically denies various sins that might have led to his suffering. He appeals directly to God, inviting divine judgment if he is found guilty of any of the transgressions he enumerates. Verse 27 is embedded within a series of specific denials, following his assertions of integrity regarding injustice, lust, and covetousness. It is a pivotal statement, demonstrating the depth of his righteousness by addressing one of the most fundamental offenses against God's sovereignty: idolatry. This comprehensive oath sets the stage for God's direct intervention and response in the subsequent chapters, validating Job's character.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Near East was saturated with polytheistic religions and nature worship, particularly astrolatry (the worship of celestial bodies like the sun, moon, and stars). These practices were deeply ingrained in daily life and religious rituals. The gesture of "kissing one's hand" was a recognized act of homage or adoration directed towards deities or powerful rulers in many ancient cultures. It could involve blowing a kiss towards the object of veneration or kissing one's own hand and then extending it as a sign of reverence, a form of making a covenant or showing allegiance. Job's explicit denial of this act underscores his radical departure from the prevailing pagan norms of his time and region, affirming his unique and steadfast devotion to the singular, invisible God, a concept profoundly at odds with the surrounding religious landscape.

* **Key Themes:** Job 31:27 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Book of Job and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the **exclusivity of worship** due to the one true God, a foundational principle articulated in the [First Commandment](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment") and reiterated throughout the Old Testament. Job's rejection of astrolatry highlights the stark contrast between true worship and the veneration of created things, echoing warnings found in [Deuteronomy 4:19](/deuteronomy/4-19 "Deuteronomy 4:19 - Warning Against Worshipping Celestial Bodies"). Secondly, the verse emphasizes the **integrity of the heart**, asserting that true righteousness extends beyond outward conformity to internal purity of motive and desire. Job's claim that his "heart hath been secretly enticed" speaks to a profound level of spiritual purity, aligning with the biblical truth that God looks not merely at external actions but at the heart's true inclination, as seen in [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart"). Finally, it speaks to **covenant fidelity**, demonstrating Job's steadfast adherence to divine principles of righteousness, even in the absence of the Mosaic Law, showcasing a universal understanding of God's moral demands.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Enticed (פָּתָה, _pātâ_):** This Hebrew verb means "to be open," "to be simple," "to persuade," "to entice," or "to seduce." In this context, it carries the nuance of being subtly drawn away or led astray, often implying an internal, perhaps even unconscious, inclination towards something forbidden. Job's use of this word indicates that he has not allowed even the most private and hidden desires of his heart to be swayed towards idolatry.
* **Kissed (נָשַׁק, _nāšaq_):** This verb means "to kiss" or "to touch." While it can refer to an ordinary kiss, in ritual contexts, it denotes an act of homage, reverence, or submission. Here, it specifically points to a religious gesture of adoration, signifying allegiance to a deity.
* **Hand (יָד, _yāḏ_):** The Hebrew word for "hand" is used here as the object of the kiss, representing the instrument through which the act of homage is performed. The idiom "kissing one's hand" is a well-attested ancient Near Eastern practice for showing reverence to a god or a powerful figure, often associated with celestial worship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And my heart hath been secretly enticed":** This clause reveals the depth of Job's integrity. He asserts that his innermost being, his affections, and his desires have not been secretly lured or seduced into idolatrous thoughts or inclinations. This goes beyond merely avoiding outward acts of sin; it speaks to a profound purity of motive and intention, highlighting that true righteousness begins in the heart. Job understands that God sees beyond actions to the hidden recesses of the soul, where sin often first takes root.
* **"or my mouth hath kissed my hand":** This second clause describes a specific, overt act of pagan worship. "Kissing one's hand" was a common gesture in ancient cultures to show adoration or reverence to celestial bodies (like the sun or moon) or idols. It could involve blowing a kiss towards the object of worship or literally kissing one's own hand and then extending it as a sign of homage. Job's denial of this act signifies his complete and public rejection of any form of idolatry, whether overt or covert, emphasizing his exclusive devotion to the one true God.

#### Literary Devices
Job 31:27 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. The verse exhibits **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the two clauses, "my heart hath been secretly enticed" and "my mouth hath kissed my hand," express similar ideas of idolatry, one focusing on the internal inclination and the other on the external act. This parallelism creates a comprehensive denial, covering both the hidden desires and the overt expressions of sin. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Merism**, a literary device where two contrasting or complementary parts represent the whole. By mentioning both the "heart" (representing internal disposition) and the "mouth/hand" (representing external actions), Job asserts his innocence across the entire spectrum of potential idolatry. The phrase "kissed my hand" functions as a powerful **Idiom** for an act of worship or homage, specifically to false gods, making Job's denial vivid and culturally resonant. Finally, the entire verse is part of a larger **Rhetorical Oath** or "negative confession," where Job challenges God to find fault in him, thereby underscoring his perceived righteousness and setting the stage for divine vindication.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 31:27 stands as a timeless testament to the biblical understanding of true worship and the nature of idolatry. It underscores that God demands not merely outward conformity but exclusive devotion from the heart. Idolatry, in its essence, is the misdirection of ultimate allegiance, whether to physical idols, celestial bodies, or anything that usurps God's rightful place in our lives. Job's profound declaration reveals a pre-Mosaic understanding that true righteousness involves both the internal disposition and external action, anticipating later prophetic and New Testament teachings on the purity of the heart. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that anything that captures our ultimate affection, trust, or hope outside of God can become an idol, demanding a vigilant examination of our allegiances.

* [Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment")
* [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart")
* [Deuteronomy 4:19](/deuteronomy/4-19 "Deuteronomy 4:19 - Warning Against Astrolatry")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 31:27 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, challenging us to examine the true objects of our devotion in a world where overt idol worship may seem distant. While we may not literally "kiss our hands" to the sun or moon, the principle remains potent: anything that takes God's supreme place in our hearts—be it career, wealth, comfort, relationships, self-image, or even digital distractions—can become a modern idol. Job's emphasis on the "secretly enticed" heart reminds us that spiritual purity begins within, in the hidden desires and inclinations that often go unexamined. This verse calls us to a radical honesty before God, knowing that He sees not just our actions but the very thoughts and intentions of our hearts. It compels us to guard our hearts diligently, ensuring that our ultimate allegiance and worship are directed solely to the Creator, not the created, fostering a life of genuine integrity and exclusive devotion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "secret enticements" of my heart that might subtly draw my affections or trust away from God?**
* **In what ways might I be "kissing my hand" to modern idols, perhaps through excessive pursuit of worldly success, comfort, or self-gratification?**
* **How does the knowledge that God sees my heart, not just my outward actions, impact my pursuit of spiritual purity and exclusive devotion?**

### FAQ
**What does "my mouth hath kissed my hand" specifically refer to?**

Answer: This phrase refers to a specific act of pagan worship common in the ancient Near East, particularly associated with astrolatry, the worship of celestial bodies like the sun, moon, and stars. It describes a gesture of homage or adoration where an individual would either blow a kiss towards the deity or celestial object, or literally kiss their own hand and then extend it towards the object of veneration as a sign of reverence, submission, or covenant. Job's denial of this act underscores his complete rejection of any form of idolatry and his exclusive devotion to the one true God. This practice is also alluded to in other ancient texts and archaeological findings, confirming its prevalence as a form of worship.

**How is Job's claim relevant to Christians today, given we don't worship the sun or moon?**

Answer: While literal sun and moon worship is uncommon today, Job's claim remains profoundly relevant because the underlying principle of idolatry persists. Idolatry, at its core, is placing anything in God's rightful place of ultimate authority, affection, and trust. For modern believers, this can manifest in various forms: the worship of money ([Matthew 6:24](/matthew/6-24 "Matthew 6:24 - You Cannot Serve God and Money")), the pursuit of power or status, the obsession with self-image or comfort, or even excessive devotion to relationships or hobbies. The "secret enticement" of the heart speaks to the subtle ways our desires can be led astray, while "kissing one's hand" represents any overt or covert act of allegiance to these modern "gods." Job's integrity challenges us to examine our own hearts and lives, ensuring that our ultimate devotion is solely to the Creator, not to created things or human constructs, as warned against in [Romans 1:25](/romans/1-25 "Romans 1:25 - Worshiping the Creature Rather Than the Creator").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's remarkable declaration of integrity, particularly his denial of internal and external idolatry, foreshadows the perfect righteousness found only in Jesus Christ. While Job, as a man, could only aspire to such purity and ultimately needed a mediator, Christ perfectly embodies the sinless life. He was truly "enticed" by nothing that would draw Him away from the Father's will, for He "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 Sinless Life")). Unlike Job, who could only deny the act of "kissing his hand" to false gods, Jesus is the one to whom all creation bows, the rightful recipient of all worship and homage, as every knee will one day bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")). His sacrifice on the cross not only atones for our past idolatries but also breaks the power of sin, including the sin of worshipping anything other than God. Through His Spirit, believers are given new hearts that desire to worship God alone, enabling them to offer true worship "in spirit and truth" ([John 4:24](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")), a purity of devotion that Job earnestly sought but could only be fully realized through the perfect 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")).

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.