Job 31:10

[Then] let my wife grind unto another, and let others bow down upon her.

Then let my wife {H802} grind {H2912} unto another {H312}, and let others {H312} bow down {H3766} upon her.

then let my wife grind for another man, and let others kneel on her.

then may my own wife grind grain for another, and may other men sleep with her.

Then let my wife grind unto another, And let others bow down upon her.

Commentary

Job 31:10 is a powerful declaration by Job within his extensive self-vindication, where he vehemently asserts his innocence against accusations of sin. In this verse, Job invokes a severe curse upon himself if he has been guilty of sexual immorality, specifically adultery. He states, "Then let my wife grind unto another, and let others bow down upon her," expressing a willingness to endure the ultimate humiliation and violation of his marital covenant if he has betrayed his own.

Context

This verse is part of Job's final and most detailed defense of his integrity, found in chapters 29-31. Having been accused by his friends of hidden sin as the cause of his suffering, Job systematically lists various ethical and moral principles he has upheld throughout his life. He appeals directly to God, challenging Him to find any fault in his conduct. Job 31 is a comprehensive oath of clearance, where he addresses specific sins such as injustice, oppression, idolatry, and here, sexual impurity. His willingness to accept such a shameful consequence for his wife underscores the profound seriousness with which he viewed marital fidelity and his absolute conviction of his own blamelessness in this regard. This self-curse highlights the societal disgrace and personal anguish associated with adultery in the ancient Near East, making his declaration a very strong affirmation of his character, echoing the righteous man described at the beginning of the book (Job 1:1).

Key Themes

  • Integrity and Purity: Job's unwavering commitment to moral and sexual purity, even in the face of immense suffering and false accusation. He presents himself as a man of profound integrity, consistent in his private and public life.
  • Marital Fidelity: The verse underscores the sanctity of the marital covenant and the severe consequences, both personal and societal, associated with adultery. Job's curse reflects the deep value placed on faithfulness within marriage.
  • Divine Justice: Job's willingness to submit to a drastic punishment if guilty demonstrates his belief in a just God who sees all actions. He is essentially inviting God's judgment upon himself if he has transgressed.
  • The Seriousness of Sin: The gravity of the self-curse reveals the profound understanding of sin's destructive power and its far-reaching consequences, particularly for sexual transgressions.

Linguistic Insights

The phrases "grind unto another" and "bow down upon her" are euphemisms for sexual intercourse.

  • "Grind unto another": The act of "grinding" often refers to the arduous labor of grinding grain, typically performed by women. Here, it is used metaphorically for sexual activity, implying a laborious or intimate act with another man. It vividly conveys the idea of his wife being used or exploited sexually by someone else.
  • "Bow down upon her": This phrase similarly serves as a euphemism for sexual intimacy, suggesting a position of submission or intimate physical contact. Both phrases emphasize the deeply personal and violating nature of the proposed consequence, underscoring the severity of the sin Job denies committing.
Job's use of such a graphic and humiliating curse demonstrates the depth of his conviction regarding his innocence and his profound respect for the covenant of marriage.

Practical Application

Job's bold declaration in this verse offers several insights for believers today:

  • Upholding Marital Fidelity: The passage reinforces the biblical emphasis on the sacredness of marriage and the importance of marital faithfulness. Adultery is a serious sin with devastating consequences, as highlighted in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:14).
  • Personal Integrity: Job's life serves as a powerful example of living with integrity, even when no one is watching. He was concerned not just with outward actions but with the purity of his heart and thoughts (Job 31:1). This calls us to a similar standard of honesty and righteousness before God.
  • Seriousness of Sexual Sin: The verse reminds us of the gravity with which God views sexual immorality. It is not a trivial matter but one that can bring profound shame and brokenness.
  • Self-Examination: Job's detailed self-defense encourages us to regularly examine our own lives against God's standards, seeking to live in a manner that honors Him in all our relationships and actions.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 8:10 (5 votes)

    Therefore will I give their wives unto others, [and] their fields to them that shall inherit [them]: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.

  • Isaiah 47:2 (4 votes)

    Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers.

  • 2 Samuel 12:11 (4 votes)

    Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give [them] unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.

  • Deuteronomy 28:30 (3 votes)

    Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her: thou shalt build an house, and thou shalt not dwell therein: thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shalt not gather the grapes thereof.

  • Exodus 11:5 (3 votes)

    And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that [is] behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.

  • Matthew 24:41 (2 votes)

    Two [women shall be] grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

  • Hosea 4:13 (2 votes)

    They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow thereof [is] good: therefore your daughters shall commit whoredom, and your spouses shall commit adultery.