Job 31:40

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

Let thistles {H2336} grow {H3318} instead of wheat {H2406}, and cockle {H890} instead of barley {H8184}. The words {H1697} of Job {H347} are ended {H8552}.

then let thistles grow instead of wheat and noxious weeds instead of barley! "The words of Iyov are finished."

then let briers grow instead of wheat and stinkweed instead of barley.” Thus conclude the words of Job.

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

Context of Job 31:40

Job 31:40 marks the dramatic conclusion of Job's extensive and passionate defense, where he has meticulously denied various sins and injustices, affirming his integrity before God and his accusers. This verse is the final statement in a lengthy self-imprecation, a solemn oath or curse Job pronounces upon himself if he were indeed guilty of the transgressions he has just disavowed. His preceding declaration, particularly in Job 31:35, was a challenge to God to respond, indicating his readiness to face divine scrutiny. The concluding phrase, "The words of Job are ended," serves as a narrative interjection by the author, signaling the close of Job's direct speeches and setting the stage for God's eventual intervention.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Job's Unwavering Confidence in His Innocence: By invoking such a severe agricultural curse upon himself, Job demonstrates his absolute conviction in his own righteousness and integrity. He is so certain of his blamelessness that he invites the land itself to betray him if he has lied.
  • The Gravity of Ancient Oaths: In the ancient Near East, oaths involving self-imprecation were taken with extreme seriousness. They connected personal conduct directly to the well-being of the land and its productivity. Job's willingness to accept such a consequence underscores the depth of his commitment to truth and justice. This echoes themes seen in other biblical texts where the land is affected by human sin, such as the curse on the ground in Genesis 3:18.
  • A Narrative Transition: The phrase "The words of Job are ended" is a crucial editorial note. It signifies the end of the dialogue between Job and his friends, preparing the reader for a new phase of the narrative, specifically the appearance of Elihu and, most importantly, God's direct address to Job beginning in Job 38:1.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV translates the Hebrew words for "thistles" (choach) and "cockle" (bo'shah, literally "stinkweed" or "foul-smelling plant"). These terms emphasize the undesirable, unproductive, and even harmful nature of the weeds compared to the valuable and life-sustaining "wheat" and "barley." The imagery vividly portrays utter desolation and uselessness, a fitting consequence if Job were found to be deceitful. The contrast highlights the severity of the curse Job places upon himself, illustrating a land that yields nothing but worthless growth instead of sustenance.

Practical Application and Reflection

Job 31:40 prompts us to consider the depth of our own convictions and integrity. While we do not engage in self-imprecatory oaths, Job's example challenges us:

  • Integrity in the Face of Adversity: Job's suffering did not break his commitment to truth. His willingness to stake his agricultural well-being on his innocence speaks to a profound belief in his own uprightness before God. This resonates with the call for endurance and integrity in trials.
  • Patience in Waiting for God's Response: After Job's exhaustive defense, there is a period of silence before God speaks. This reminds us that even after we have poured out our hearts and made our case, waiting patiently for divine timing and revelation is essential.
  • Understanding the Consequences of Our Words: While Job's oath is specific to his context, it underscores the biblical principle that words carry weight and that integrity in speech is highly valued by 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 72:20

    The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.

  • Genesis 3:17

    ¶ And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed [is] the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat [of] it all the days of thy life;

  • Genesis 3:18

    Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

  • Malachi 1:3

    And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.

  • Zephaniah 2:9

    Therefore [as] I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, [even] the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them.

  • Isaiah 7:23

    And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] every place shall be, where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silverlings, it shall [even] be for briers and thorns.

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