Job 31:38

KJV

If my land cry against me, or that the furrows likewise thereof complain;

KJV (with Strong's)

If my land {H127} cry {H2199} against me, or that the furrows {H8525} likewise {H3162} thereof complain {H1058};

Complete Jewish Bible

"If my land cried out against me, if its furrows wept together,

Berean Standard Bible

if my land cries out against me and its furrows weep together,

American Standard Version

If my land crieth out against me, And the furrows thereof weep together;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 31:38 is a profound declaration within Job's final, comprehensive defense of his integrity, where he asserts his blamelessness concerning his land and agricultural practices. Through vivid personification, Job claims that even the earth itself, with its cultivated furrows, would not bear witness against him for any injustice, exploitation, or illicit gain related to his property, thereby underscoring the profound and all-encompassing nature of his righteousness before God and humanity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 31 serves as the climactic conclusion to Job's extensive self-defense and his final response to his friends before God's direct intervention. It is meticulously structured as a solemn oath of purgation, a detailed catalog where Job systematically lists various sins he has *not* committed, inviting divine judgment upon himself if he is found guilty of any. This chapter covers a broad spectrum of ethical and moral conduct, encompassing personal purity (e.g., [Job 31:1-4](/job/31-1-4 "Job 31:1-4 - Job's Vow of Purity")), social justice toward servants and the poor (e.g., [Job 31:13-23](/job/31-13-23 "Job 31:13-23 - Job's Integrity Towards the Vulnerable")), and spiritual fidelity against idolatry (e.g., [Job 31:24-28](/job/31-24-28 "Job 31:24-28 - Job's Rejection of Idolatry")). Verses 38-40 specifically address integrity in land ownership and agricultural practices, forming a distinct segment within this comprehensive catalog of blamelessness. By including this, Job demonstrates that his righteousness was not merely confined to personal piety or religious ritual but extended to the practical, economic, and social spheres of life, even to his dealings with the very ground he cultivated and the laborers who worked it. This final assertion underscores the holistic nature of his claimed innocence.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern societies, land was far more than mere property; it was the foundational element of identity, livelihood, social standing, and often, ancestral inheritance deeply tied to family and covenantal blessings. Agricultural practices were central to survival and prosperity, making fair dealings concerning land, crops, and laborers paramount for societal stability. Laws regarding land ownership, such as those against moving boundary markers (e.g., [Deuteronomy 19:14](/deuteronomy/19-14 "Deuteronomy 19:14 - Do Not Move a Neighbor's Boundary Stone")) or exploiting the poor and vulnerable in harvesting (e.g., [Leviticus 19:9-10](/leviticus/19-9-10 "Leviticus 19:9-10 - Laws for Harvesting and the Poor")), were crucial for maintaining social order and justice within the community. Job's assertion that his "land" and "furrows" would not "cry" or "complain" against him speaks directly to a societal context where land disputes, unjust acquisition, or exploitation of agricultural workers were serious offenses carrying significant moral and legal weight. His claim implies that he had not seized land unjustly, failed to pay fair wages to those who worked it, or misused its produce, reflecting a profound commitment to justice in a vital economic sector.

* **Key Themes:** Job 31:38 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Job and broader biblical theology. It highlights **Integrity in Land Management**, portraying Job's ethical conduct as so thorough that even the inanimate land would attest to his righteousness. This extends the concept of **Comprehensive Righteousness**, demonstrating that true integrity encompasses every sphere of life—personal, social, and economic—not just religious observance. The powerful personification of the land "crying" or "complainin" against injustice reinforces the theme of **Divine Witness to Injustice**, echoing the biblical idea that God is attentive to all forms of wrongdoing, even those that might seem hidden or only affect property, as seen when [Abel's blood cries out from the ground in Genesis 4:10](/genesis/4-10 "Genesis 4:10 - Abel's Blood Cries Out from the Ground"). Furthermore, it underscores the biblical principle of **Stewardship and Justice** over creation, implying that human actions have consequences that can "offend" even the natural world, and that the land itself can bear testimony to how it has been treated. This verse implicitly connects to the understanding that the land is not merely human property but ultimately belongs to God, and humans are stewards of it (cf. [Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - The Land Belongs to God")). Job's declaration is a testament to his belief in a God who sees and judges all deeds, even those concerning the very earth.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **land (Hebrew, _ʼădâmâh'_):** This term (H127, אֲדָמָה) refers to soil, earth, or ground, often specifically cultivated land or country. Derived from a root meaning "red," it can evoke the color of fertile earth. In this context, it represents Job's agricultural property, the fields he owns and cultivates. The personification of this "land" as capable of "crying" against him powerfully conveys the idea that if he had committed any injustice related to his property—such as dishonest acquisition, exploitation of its resources, or mistreatment of those who worked it—the very ground would bear witness to his transgression.
* **cry (Hebrew, _zâʻaq'_):** This verb (H2199, זָעַק) denotes a loud outcry, a shriek, or a desperate plea, often in response to distress, danger, or oppression. It can also signify a public announcement or a call for assembly. When attributed to the land, it vividly portrays the anguish and protest the earth itself would express if Job had been unjust. This "cry" implies an appeal to a higher authority, ultimately God, for intervention and justice against a wrong committed.
* **complain (Hebrew, _bâkâh'_):** This verb (H1058, בָּכָה) primarily means "to weep" or "to bemoan," often implying lamentation with tears. While it can denote a mournful cry, in parallelism with "cry" (zâʻaq), it underscores a deep-seated grievance or a sorrowful protest. Here, it signifies that the furrows, representing the cultivated and productive aspects of the land, would express a profound sense of injury or injustice against Job's actions, emphasizing the thoroughness of his claimed blamelessness in his agricultural dealings.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If my land cry against me":** This opening clause establishes a hypothetical condition, setting the stage for Job's solemn oath. The "land" (ʼădâmâh) refers specifically to Job's cultivated fields and property, the source of his wealth and livelihood. The powerful personification of the land "crying" (zâʻaq) against Job vividly portrays the depth of his claimed innocence. It suggests that if he had committed any injustice related to his land—such as illegal acquisition, failure to pay for its produce, or exploitation of those who worked it—the very ground would bear witness and voice a protest against him, appealing to divine justice.
* **"or that the furrows likewise thereof complain;":** This second clause parallels and intensifies the first, extending the scope of Job's integrity. "Furrows" (telem) refers to the grooves made by a plow, representing the cultivated, productive aspect of the land and, by extension, the agricultural labor itself. The "furrows" "complaining" (bâkâh) reinforces the personification, indicating that every minute detail of his agricultural enterprise, down to the very marks of cultivation, would attest to his blamelessness. It implies that he had not caused the land or its workers to suffer under his hand, demonstrating a profound commitment to justice in every aspect of his stewardship. The word "likewise" (yachad) emphasizes the unity of the land and its furrows in this potential accusation, underscoring the comprehensive nature of Job's claim.

#### Literary Devices
The most prominent literary device in Job 31:38 is **Personification**. Job attributes human actions and emotions—"cry" and "complain"—to inanimate objects: his "land" and its "furrows." This device is highly effective in conveying the profound depth of Job's integrity. By imagining the earth itself as a sentient witness capable of accusing him, Job emphasizes that his righteousness is not merely external or superficial but extends to the very core of his dealings, even with the silent elements of creation. This **hyperbole** underscores his conviction that he has committed no hidden injustice, for even the ground would expose him. The use of **Metonymy** is also present, as "furrows" stand in for the entire agricultural process or the cultivated fields themselves, further broadening the scope of Job's claim of blamelessness to encompass all aspects of his land management and the labor associated with it.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job's assertion in 31:38 resonates deeply with biblical theology concerning justice, creation, and human accountability. It highlights the principle that God's concern for righteousness extends beyond human-to-human interactions to encompass humanity's relationship with the created order. The land, often depicted as a living entity in covenant with God and humanity, is sensitive to human sin, capable of being defiled and even "vomiting out" its inhabitants due to their iniquity (e.g., [Leviticus 18:25](/leviticus/18-25 "Leviticus 18:25 - The Land Defiled by Sin")). Job's claim thus taps into the profound biblical understanding that injustice has cosmic repercussions, affecting not only people but the very ground beneath their feet. It underscores divine omniscience and omnipresence, implying that no act, however seemingly private or related to property, escapes God's notice or the potential "testimony" of creation itself. This verse powerfully portrays a God who is intimately concerned with how humanity stewards His creation and treats its resources.

* [Genesis 4:10](/genesis/4-10 "Genesis 4:10 - Abel's Blood Cries Out from the Ground")
* [Deuteronomy 19:14](/deuteronomy/19-14 "Deuteronomy 19:14 - Do Not Move a Neighbor's Boundary Stone")
* [Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - The Land Belongs to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 31:38 challenges believers to cultivate a comprehensive integrity that extends to every sphere of life, including our economic dealings, our use of resources, and our relationship with the environment. It calls us to consider whether our actions in business, land management, or personal consumption are conducted with such fairness and justice that even the "land" or resources we interact with would not "cry out" against us. This verse prompts us to reflect on our stewardship, not just as a matter of environmental policy, but as a deeply spiritual and ethical commitment rooted in the understanding that all creation ultimately belongs to God and bears witness to our conduct. It encourages a life lived with a profound awareness of divine oversight, where our private and public actions are consistent with a pursuit of righteousness, ensuring that our "furrows" (our work, our investments, our possessions, our impact on the world) bear testimony to our integrity rather than our injustice. Our integrity, like Job's, should be so thorough that even the silent elements of creation would affirm our blamelessness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job's commitment to integrity in land management challenge our own stewardship of resources and the environment in our modern context?**
* **In what ways might our "land" (our possessions, our work, our relationships, our community) "cry out" against us if we are not just and fair in our dealings?**
* **How does the concept of divine oversight, even over seemingly private or economic dealings, shape our daily ethical choices and accountability?**

### FAQ

**What does Job mean by the "land crying" or "furrows complaining"?**

Answer: Job is employing vivid **personification**, a powerful literary device where human qualities or actions are attributed to inanimate objects. He doesn't literally mean his land has vocal cords. Instead, he's using hyperbole to emphasize the absolute purity of his dealings concerning his property. If he had committed any injustice—such as illegally acquiring land, exploiting its workers, or failing to pay for its produce—he implies that the injustice would be so egregious that even the silent earth itself would bear witness against him and voice a protest to God. This echoes biblical themes where creation itself can react to human sin, as seen when [Abel's blood cries out from the ground in Genesis 4:10](/genesis/4-10 "Genesis 4:10 - Abel's Blood Cries Out from the Ground"). It underscores Job's belief that his integrity was so complete that no aspect of his life, not even his relationship with the physical world, could accuse him.

**How does this verse relate to modern ethical concerns, like environmental justice or fair labor practices?**

Answer: While Job lived in an ancient agrarian society, the underlying principles of Job 31:38 are remarkably relevant today. Job's concern for the "land" and its "furrows" can be broadly applied to our modern understanding of **environmental stewardship** and **economic justice**. His assertion challenges us to consider:
* **Environmental Ethics:** Are we managing the earth's resources in a way that honors God as Creator and sustains the planet for future generations, or are our practices causing the "land" to "cry out" through pollution, depletion, or degradation?
* **Fair Labor Practices:** Do our economic activities, supply chains, and business dealings ensure fairness and justice for all involved, especially those who labor to produce goods or services? Would the "furrows" (representing the work and effort of others) "complain" about exploitation or unfair wages?
* **Integrity in Property/Wealth:** Have we acquired our possessions or wealth justly? Is our prosperity built on ethical foundations, or would our "land" (our assets, our investments) "cry out" against us due to dishonest gain or neglect of others?
The verse serves as a timeless call to holistic integrity, recognizing that our actions have far-reaching consequences and are observed by God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's impassioned defense in 31:38, where he declares his perfect integrity even in his relationship with the land, ultimately points to the only one who lived a life of absolute and unblemished righteousness: Jesus Christ. While Job strove for and largely achieved human integrity, he remained a fallen man, needing a redeemer. Jesus, however, is the ultimate steward of creation, through whom and for whom all things were created and sustained ([Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer")). His life was one of perfect justice and compassion, where no "land" or "furrow" could ever cry out against him, for he committed no sin ([1 Peter 2:22](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22 - Christ Committed No Sin")) and always did what was pleasing to the Father ([John 8:29](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Pleases the Father")). He perfectly exemplified the care for the poor and marginalized that Job aspired to (e.g., [Matthew 25:31-46](/matthew/25-31-46 "Matthew 25:31-46 - The Judgment of the Nations")) and upheld the sanctity of every aspect of life, including the natural world. In Christ, the groaning of creation under the weight of sin ([Romans 8:22](/romans/8-22 "Romans 8:22 - Creation Groans")) finds its ultimate hope, as he inaugurates a new creation where all things are made right and justice reigns supreme ([Revelation 21:1-5](/revelation/21-1-5 "Revelation 21:1-5 - A New Heaven and a New Earth")). Believers, through faith in Christ, are imputed with his perfect righteousness, fulfilling the comprehensive integrity that Job so earnestly sought, and are empowered by the Spirit to live lives that reflect this new reality, striving to be good stewards of all that God has entrusted to them, so that even their "land" and "furrows" would give glory to 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

James 5:4

Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.

Psalms 65:13

The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.

Job 20:27

The heaven shall reveal his iniquity; and the earth shall rise up against him.

Habakkuk 2:11

For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it.