Job 31:37

KJV

I would declare unto him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near unto him.

KJV (with Strong's)

I would declare {H5046} unto him the number {H4557} of my steps {H6806}; as a prince {H5057} would I go near {H7126} unto him.

Complete Jewish Bible

I would declare to him every one of my steps; I would approach him like a prince.

Berean Standard Bible

I would give account of all my steps; I would approach Him like a prince.)—

American Standard Version

I would declare unto him the number of my steps; As a prince would I go near unto him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 31:37 serves as the climactic declaration in Job's final defense, encapsulating his unwavering assertion of personal integrity and his profound confidence in his blameless conduct before God. As the culmination of his extensive oath of innocence, this verse expresses Job's fervent desire for a direct, unhindered encounter with the Almighty, where he would meticulously present every detail of his life's journey, not as a cowering supplicant but with the dignified boldness and assuredness of a royal figure. It is a powerful testament to his conviction that his life record merited a fair and open hearing, leading to divine vindication rather than condemnation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 31 stands as the grand summation of Job's impassioned defense against the relentless accusations of his friends and his deep struggle with God's perceived injustice. Structurally, it functions as a comprehensive oath of integrity, where Job systematically reviews various facets of his life—his moral purity, honesty, justice towards the vulnerable, and fidelity to God—swearing his blamelessness in each. This chapter is not merely a defense but a direct, audacious challenge to God, culminating in a fervent desire for a face-to-face encounter. Verse 37, therefore, represents the apex of this challenge, expressing Job's ultimate readiness to lay bare his entire life for divine scrutiny, confident that no fault will be found. It powerfully echoes his earlier longing for a direct audience, as seen when he wished he knew [where he might find God](/job/23-3 "Job 23:3 - Job's Longing for God").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, approaching a king or a deity was typically an act of profound humility, often involving prostration, abject submission, and fear, especially if one sought favor or feared judgment. The imagery of a "prince" (Hebrew: נָגִיד, _nâgîyd_) approaching signifies a person of high rank, dignity, and privilege, who would be granted direct access and the right to speak freely and be heard without fear of immediate reprisal. Such an individual would not cower but would present himself with confidence and honor, expecting a respectful audience. Job's use of this metaphor underscores his deep conviction that his moral standing and blameless conduct entitled him to a direct, unhindered, and honorable audience with God, free from the terror of a guilty party. This reflects a cultural understanding where one's status or perceived righteousness could significantly influence the manner of approach to authority.
* **Key Themes:** Job 31:37 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Job. Firstly, it highlights Job's **unwavering integrity** and his profound conviction of his own blamelessness, a central tenet of his defense throughout the book, aligning with the divine testimony of his uprightness in [Job 1:8](/job/1-8 "Job 1:8 - God's Testimony of Job's Righteousness"). Secondly, the verse emphasizes Job's extraordinary **boldness in approaching God**, contrasting the typical human fear of divine judgment with his confident, princely stance, which he believes is born of his perceived righteousness. This audacious posture foreshadows a deeper biblical truth about righteous access to God. Thirdly, it underscores Job's deep **desire for vindication**, not merely to be found innocent but to have God Himself publicly affirm his righteousness. Finally, the willingness to "declare unto him the number of my steps" speaks to the theme of **absolute transparency before God**, where every action and decision of one's life is offered for divine inspection, reflecting a life lived in the open before the Almighty, a theme beautifully articulated in psalms like [Psalm 139](/psalms/139 "Psalm 139 - God's Omniscience and Omnipresence").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Declare (Hebrew, _nâgad'_):** From H5046. This primitive root means "to front," i.e., to stand boldly out opposite, and by implication, to manifest or announce. It specifically refers to speaking or telling something plainly, fully, or explicitly. Job's desire is not merely to hint at his innocence but to "declare" it openly and comprehensively, laying out every detail of his life before God.
* **Number (Hebrew, _miçpâr'_):** From H4557. This word denotes a definite or indefinite quantity, an account, or a tale. In this context, "the number of my steps" signifies a complete and precise accounting, indicating Job's willingness to meticulously enumerate every action and decision of his life. It implies an exhaustive record, leaving nothing out.
* **Steps (Hebrew, _tsaʻad'_):** From H6806. This term refers to a pace or a regular step. Metaphorically, "my steps" represents the entire course of Job's life, encompassing all his actions, decisions, movements, and experiences from beginning to end. Job is offering not a general defense but a meticulous, comprehensive account of his entire life's journey.
* **Prince (Hebrew, _nâgîyd'_):** From H5057. This word denotes a commander, leader, or noble, often one occupying a prominent position. In this context, it signifies someone who possesses the right and confidence to approach a king or sovereign with dignity, without fear or subservience, expecting to be heard. Job uses this imagery to convey his spiritual nobility and his unwavering belief in his own uprightness, which he felt gave him a right to a direct and unhindered audience with God.
* **Go near (Hebrew, _qârab'_):** From H7126. This primitive root means to approach or bring near for whatever purpose. Here, it describes the act of drawing close to God. Combined with the imagery of a "prince," it emphasizes a confident, privileged approach, not one of hesitant fear, but of one who expects to be welcomed into the divine presence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I would declare unto him the number of my steps":** This clause expresses Job's absolute willingness to provide a full, detailed, and transparent account of his entire life's journey. "The number of my steps" is a powerful merism, representing every single action, decision, and experience, from his earliest days to the present moment. Job is supremely confident that a complete disclosure of his conduct would only serve to prove his innocence, not incriminate him. He desires to lay out his life's record before God with meticulous precision, inviting divine scrutiny without reservation.
* **"as a prince would I go near unto him":** This striking simile illustrates the manner in which Job wishes to approach God. Rather than cowering in fear or humility, as might be expected of a human before the divine, Job envisions himself approaching with the dignity, confidence, and assuredness of a royal figure. A prince has privileged access to the king, the right to speak freely, and expects to be heard and treated with respect. This reflects Job's profound conviction in his own righteousness, which he believes grants him a right to a direct, honorable, and fearless encounter with God for vindication. It is a bold and almost audacious claim for a human to make before the Almighty.

#### Literary Devices
Job 31:37 is rich in **Imagery** and employs a striking **Simile**. The **Imagery** of "the number of my steps" vividly portrays a life meticulously recorded, every action accounted for, suggesting transparency and an exhaustive record. This is a form of **Metonymy**, where "steps" stands for the entire course of one's life and actions, implying a complete moral ledger. The phrase "as a prince would I go near unto him" is a powerful **Simile**, directly comparing Job's desired manner of approach to God with that of a prince. This comparison highlights Job's confidence, dignity, and sense of entitlement to a fair hearing, rather than the cowering fear of a guilty party. While Job's claim of blamelessness is sincere, his assertion of approaching God "as a prince" also carries an element of **Hyperbole**, as no mere human, regardless of their perceived righteousness, could truly approach the Almighty without profound reverence and humility. However, the hyperbole effectively conveys Job's profound conviction in his blamelessness and his fervent desire for vindication.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 31:37 encapsulates the deep human longing for justice and vindication, particularly when one feels unjustly accused or afflicted. Job's desire to present his case directly to God, confident in his own righteousness, speaks to the inherent human need for an ultimate arbiter who sees all and judges fairly. While Job's confidence is rooted in his own perceived blamelessness, his fervent plea for a hearing foreshadows the biblical truth that God is indeed the ultimate Judge who will one day make all things right. This verse also highlights the tension between human righteousness and divine sovereignty, a central theme in the book of Job, ultimately pointing to a greater righteousness that allows true boldness before God.

* [Psalm 7:8](/psalms/7-8 "Psalm 7:8 - God Judges the Peoples")
* [1 John 3:21](/1_john/3-21 "1 John 3:21 - Confidence Before God")
* [Romans 8:33-34](/romans/8-33-34 "Romans 8:33-34 - God Justifies")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 31:37 challenges us to consider the depth of our own integrity and transparency before God. While we, unlike Job, cannot claim perfect righteousness in ourselves, the verse nevertheless calls us to strive for a life lived with such consistency and honesty that we would not shrink from divine scrutiny. It encourages us to cultivate a conscience clear before God and humanity, knowing that our actions are always seen by Him. More profoundly, Job's bold desire to approach God "as a prince" foreshadows the incredible privilege believers have in Christ. Through His atoning work, we are invited to approach the throne of grace with confidence, not based on our own merit, but on the imputed righteousness of Jesus. This transforms Job's aspirational boldness into a Spirit-empowered reality for every believer, enabling us to seek God's presence and present our petitions without fear, knowing we are accepted in the Beloved.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life would you feel confident in "declaring the number of your steps" before God?**
* **How does Job's desire to approach God "as a prince" contrast with or complement our understanding of approaching God through Christ?**
* **What does Job's ultimate longing for vindication teach us about God's role as the righteous Judge?**

### FAQ
**Was Job truly blameless, or was his confidence misplaced?**

Answer: The book of Job begins by stating that Job was "blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil" ([Job 1:1](/job/1-1 "Job 1:1 - Job's Character")). God Himself affirms Job's integrity to Satan in [Job 1:8](/job/1-8 "Job 1:8 - God's Testimony of Job's Righteousness"). So, in terms of his outward conduct and adherence to the Law as he understood it, Job was indeed blameless. His confidence in presenting his "steps" was rooted in his genuine moral uprightness. However, his confidence also bordered on self-righteousness, as he failed to fully grasp the infinite gap between human perfection and divine holiness. While his integrity was real, his understanding of God's justice and his own place before it was incomplete, leading to some of his later complaints against God. The book ultimately reveals that true righteousness and the right to approach God come not from human effort, but from God's sovereign grace.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's impassioned plea in [Job 31:37](/job/31-37 "Job 31:37 - Job's Boldness and Integrity") for a direct audience with God, where he could present his blameless life "as a prince," finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Job longed for a righteous advocate and a clear path to God, but his own righteousness, while exemplary, was still human and limited. In Christ, we have the perfect, truly blameless Advocate who has already declared the "number of His steps"—a life lived in absolute obedience to God the Father, culminating in His sacrificial death and resurrection. It is because of Christ's perfect righteousness, not our own, that we are now invited to "draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith" ([Hebrews 10:22](/hebrews/10-22 "Hebrews 10:22 - Drawing Near with Confidence")). We approach God not as princes in our own right, but as adopted sons and daughters, clothed in the righteousness of the true Prince, the [King of kings and Lord of lords](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - Jesus, King of Kings"). Jesus Himself is our access, our high priest who has entered the very presence of God, enabling us to "come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Boldness to Approach the Throne of Grace")). Job's aspiration is our reality in Christ, who is our perfect vindication and our eternal right to stand before 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.

Cross-References

Job 13:15

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

Job 29:25

I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one [that] comforteth the mourners.

Job 9:3

If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.

Psalms 19:12

Who can understand [his] errors? cleanse thou me from secret [faults].

Job 14:16

¶ For now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin?

Hebrews 4:15

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.

Hebrews 4:16

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.