If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands;
If my step {H838} hath turned out {H5186} of the way {H1870}, and mine heart {H3820} walked {H1980} after {H310} mine eyes {H5869}, and if any blot {H3971} hath cleaved {H1692} to mine hands {H3709};
"If my steps have wandered from the way, if my heart has followed my eyes, if the least dirt has stuck to my hands;
If my steps have turned from the path, if my heart has followed my eyes, or if impurity has stuck to my hands,
If my step hath turned out of the way, And my heart walked after mine eyes, And if any spot hath cleaved to my hands:
-
Numbers 15:39
And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring: -
Ecclesiastes 11:9
Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these [things] God will bring thee into judgment. -
Matthew 5:29
And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast [it] from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not [that] thy whole body should be cast into hell. -
Ezekiel 6:9
And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations whither they shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their whorish heart, which hath departed from me, and with their eyes, which go a whoring after their idols: and they shall lothe themselves for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations. -
Isaiah 33:15
He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; -
Ezekiel 14:3
Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them? -
Psalms 101:3
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; [it] shall not cleave to me.
Job 31:7 is part of Job's profound and passionate defense of his innocence before God and his friends. In this chapter, Job systematically lists various sins he claims he has not committed, presenting an elaborate oath of integrity. This particular verse focuses on the purity of his walk, his inner desires, and his outward actions, asserting a blameless life in the face of immense suffering and accusation.
Context
Chapter 31 marks the climax of Job's final discourse, where he appeals directly to God, challenging Him to find fault in his life. Job is not merely defending himself against his friends; he is making a solemn declaration, almost an oath, before the Almighty. He details his moral conduct across a wide spectrum of life areas, including his sexual purity (v. 1-6), honesty (v. 8), treatment of others (v. 9-23), reliance on wealth (v. 24-28), and attitude towards enemies (v. 29-32). Verse 7 serves as a powerful summary of his commitment to walking a righteous path, ensuring his internal desires did not lead to sinful external actions.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
Practical Application
Job's declaration in verse 7 offers profound lessons for believers today: