Job 34:31

ยถ Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne [chastisement], I will not offend [any more]:

Surely it is meet to be said {H559} unto God {H410}, I have borne {H5375} chastisement, I will not offend {H2254} any more:

"For has anyone said to God, 'I have been chastised without having offended;

Suppose someone says to God, โ€˜I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more.

For hath any said unto God, I have bornechastisement, I will not offend any more:

Commentary

Job 34:31 presents a pivotal statement from Elihu, offering what he believes is the proper response of an afflicted person, like Job, to God's dealings. It suggests a humble acceptance of divine discipline and a commitment to forsake future wrongdoing.

Context

This verse is part of Elihu's extensive discourse (Job chapters 32-37), where he interjects into the debate between Job and his three friends. Elihu, a younger man, claims to have a fresh perspective and divine inspiration, believing that both Job and his friends have erred in their arguments. Unlike the friends who primarily accuse Job of specific sins, Elihu emphasizes that God's ways are just and that suffering often serves as a form of discipline and instruction, designed to turn a person from pride or hidden sin. In this chapter, Elihu asserts God's omnipotence and righteousness, arguing that no one can accuse God of injustice. He challenges Job to adopt a posture of confession and submission, rather than continuing to justify himself.

Key Themes

  • Humble Confession and Repentance: The core message is the necessity of acknowledging one's sin and accepting God's corrective hand. "I have borne [chastisement], I will not offend [any more]" is Elihu's proposed ideal response, signifying a willingness to confess wrongdoing and commit to a changed life. This aligns with the biblical principle of confessing and forsaking sin.
  • Divine Discipline and Instruction: Elihu asserts that God's "chastisement" (often translated as discipline or correction) is not merely punitive but remedial. It is intended to teach, purify, and lead an individual to a deeper understanding of God and His ways.
  • Submission to God's Sovereignty: The verse implies a recognition of God's right to act as He sees fit and the importance of submitting to His will, even amidst suffering.

Linguistic Insights

  • The KJV text includes words in brackets, such as "[chastisement]" and "[any more]", indicating these were additions by the translators for clarity, based on their interpretation of the Hebrew.
  • The Hebrew word behind "chastisement" is musar (ืžื•ึผืกึธืจ), which broadly means "instruction," "discipline," or "correction." It carries the connotation of training a child, emphasizing God's fatherly guidance rather than just harsh punishment. This aligns with the New Testament understanding of God's discipline for those He loves.
  • "Offend" translates the Hebrew 'echbol (ืึถื—ึฐื‘ึผึนืœ), meaning to act wickedly, to spoil, or to pledge (in a negative sense). The phrase "I will not offend [any more]" thus expresses a firm resolve to cease from harmful or sinful behavior.

Practical Application

Job 34:31 offers profound lessons for believers facing trials today. When experiencing difficulties or suffering, it encourages introspection and a humble posture before God. Rather than questioning God's justice or asserting our own innocence, we are called to consider if there are areas in our lives that need correction or repentance. God's discipline, though painful, is ultimately an expression of His love and a means to spiritual growth and maturity. This verse reminds us that true wisdom involves accepting God's correction and committing to a life of obedience and righteousness, transforming our trials into opportunities for deeper faith and purification.

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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

  • Job 33:27

    He looketh upon men, and [if any] say, I have sinned, and perverted [that which was] right, and it profited me not;

  • Micah 7:9

    I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, [and] I shall behold his righteousness.

  • Nehemiah 9:33

    Howbeit thou [art] just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly:

  • Nehemiah 9:38

    And because of all this we make a sure [covenant], and write [it]; and our princes, Levites, [and] priests, seal [unto it].

  • Jeremiah 31:18

    ยถ I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself [thus]; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed [to the yoke]: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou [art] the LORD my God.

  • Jeremiah 31:19

    Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon [my] thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth.

  • Ezra 9:13

    And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities [deserve], and hast given us [such] deliverance as this;
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