Job 31:5

If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit;

If I have walked {H1980} with vanity {H7723}, or if my foot {H7272} hath hasted {H2363} to deceit {H4820};

"If I have gone along with falsehood, if my feet have hurried to deceit;

If I have walked in falsehood or my foot has rushed to deceit,

If I have walked with falsehood, And my foot hath hasted to deceit

Commentary

Job 31:5 is part of Job's extensive monologue, where he passionately defends his integrity and innocence against the accusations of his friends. This chapter serves as Job's final and most detailed oath of purgation, wherein he systematically lists various sins he swears he has not committed, inviting divine scrutiny.

Context

In the book of Job, chapter 31 stands as the culmination of Job's self-vindication. After enduring immense suffering and the relentless, often misguided, counsel of his friends, Job presents a comprehensive declaration of his blameless conduct. He isn't claiming sinless perfection, but rather that his suffering isn't a direct consequence of specific, unconfessed sins. Each verse in this chapter begins with an "If I have..." statement, followed by an implied curse if he is lying. This verse specifically addresses his conduct regarding truthfulness and honesty, suggesting a life lived free from intentional falsehood or trickery. For more on Job's overall integrity, see Job 2:3.

Key Themes

  • Integrity and Honesty: Job's core assertion here is his commitment to truth and righteousness in his walk. He denies pursuing a life characterized by emptiness or deceit.
  • Rejection of Falsehood: The verse highlights Job's conscious avoidance of "vanity" and "deceit," demonstrating his moral uprightness.
  • Personal Accountability: Job takes full responsibility for his actions, presenting himself as a man who has diligently pursued a path of truth.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "vanity" is shav (ืฉึธืื•ึฐื), which can mean emptiness, falsehood, worthlessness, or even idolatry. It often refers to anything that lacks substance or is deceptive. Job denies pursuing a life that is empty or based on lies. This concept of vanity appears throughout Scripture, notably in Ecclesiastes 1:2.
  • "Deceit" comes from the Hebrew mirmah (ืžึดืจึฐืžึธื”), signifying treachery, fraud, or guile. It implies intentional trickery or dishonesty.
  • The phrase "hasted to deceit" (ื™ึธื—ื•ึผืฉื ืœึฐืžึดืจึฐืžึธื”) suggests an eager or quick pursuit of dishonesty, not merely stumbling into it. Job denies any active inclination towards fraudulent behavior.

Practical Application

Job's declaration in this verse prompts profound self-reflection:

  • Examine Our Walk: Do we walk with integrity, or do we pursue "vanity" โ€“ things that are ultimately empty, false, or fleeting? Are our steps directed towards truth or towards dishonest gain?
  • Commitment to Honesty: The verse challenges us to consider our own readiness to engage in "deceit." Do we actively seek out or quickly fall into dishonest practices in our personal or professional lives? The Bible consistently warns against deceit, as seen in Psalm 34:13.
  • Living a Life of Substance: Job's denial of walking with vanity encourages believers to pursue a life rooted in truth and substance, aligning our actions with God's principles rather than chasing empty promises or worldly illusions.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Proverbs 12:11

    ยถ He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain [persons is] void of understanding.

  • Psalms 12:2

    They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: [with] flattering lips [and] with a double heart do they speak.

  • Psalms 7:3

    O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;

  • Psalms 7:5

    Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take [it]; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.

  • Psalms 4:2

    O ye sons of men, how long [will ye turn] my glory into shame? [how long] will ye love vanity, [and] seek after leasing? Selah.

  • Jeremiah 2:5

    Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?

  • Micah 2:11

    If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, [saying], I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.