the Week of Proper 24 / Ordinary 29
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King James Version
Job 31:34
Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
- HolmanParallel Translations
Have I feared the crowd or the contempt of the masses, so that I kept quiet and stayed indoors?
Because I feared the great multitude, and the contempt of families terrified me, so that I kept silence, and went not out of the door—
Because I feared the great multitude, And the contempt of families terrified me, So that I kept silent, and didn't go out of the door-
I was not so afraid of the crowd that I kept quiet and stayed inside because I feared being hated by other families.
because I was terrified of the great multitude, and the contempt of families terrified me, so that I remained silent and would not go outdoors—
Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, [and] went not out of the door?
Because I feared the great multitude, And the contempt of families terrified me, So that I kept silence, and didn't go out of the door--
Because I feared the great multitude, And the contempt of families terrified me, So that I kept silence and did not acknowledge my sin and did not go out of the door?
because I stood in great fear of the multitude, and the contempt of families terrified me, so that I kept silence, and did not go out of doors—
if Y dredde at ful greet multitude, and if dispisyng of neyyboris made me aferd; and not more Y was stille, and yede not out of the dore;
because I greatly feared the crowds, and the contempt of the clans terrified me, so that I kept silent and would not go outside-
And the fear of public disgrace never forced me to keep silent about what I had done.
Because I feared the great multitude, And the contempt of families terrified me, So that I kept silence, and went not out of the door—
For fear of the great body of people, or for fear that families might make sport of me, so that I kept quiet, and did not go out of my door;
from fear of general gossip or dread of some family's contempt. keeping silent and not going outdoors —
Because I feared the great multitude, and the contempt of families terrified me, so that I kept silence, and went not out of the door, …
I was never so afraid of what people might say or of making enemies that I kept my sins secret and avoided going out.
Because I feared the great multitude, and the most contemptible among families terrified me,
Did I feare a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrifie me: that I kept silence, and went not out of the doore?
because I was afraid of all the people, and of families who hated me? Did I keep quiet and not go out of the door?
because I stood in great fear of the multitude, and the contempt of families terrified me, so that I kept silence, and did not go out of doors—
Though I could haue made afraid a great multitude, yet the most contemptible of the families did feare me: so I kept silence, and went not out of the doore.
If I have trampled upon the rights of the others (but on the contrary, it is the multitude of families which has ruined me. Nor have I turned away anyone at the door; or engaged in gossip) let the provocations of God lay me low!
I have never feared what people would say; I have never kept quiet or stayed indoors because I feared their scorn.
Then let me be made to tremble at a great throng, yea let, the contempt of families, terrify me, so that, keeping silence, I shall not go out of the door!
If I have been afraid at a very great multitude, and the contempt of kinsmen hath terrified me: and have not rather held my peace, and not gone out of the door.
because I stood in great fear of the multitude, and the contempt of families terrified me, so that I kept silence, and did not go out of doors--
Though I coulde haue made afeard a great multitude, yet the most contemptible of the families dyd feare me: so I kept scilence, and went not out of the doore.
(for I did not stand in awe of a great multitude, so as not to declare boldly before them:) and if too I permitted a poor man to go out of my door with an empty bosom:
because I greatly feared the crowdsand because the contempt of the clans terrified me,so I grew silent and would not go outside?
Because I feared the great multitude, And the contempt of families terrified me, So that I kept silence, and didn't go out of the door--
because I dreaded the great multitude, and the contempt of clans terrified me, so that I kept quiet, I did not go out of the doorway?
then let me fear before a great multitude, and let the scorn of families frighten me and I will be silent, and not go out the door.
Because I fear a great multitude, And the contempt of families doth affright me, Then I am silent, I go not out of the opening.
For yf I had feared eny greate multitude of people: Or yf I had bene dispysed of ye symple, Oh then shulde I haue bene afrayed. Thus haue I quyetly spent my lyfe, and not gone out at ye dore.
Because I feared the great multitude And the contempt of families terrified me, And I kept silent and did not go out of doors?
Because I feared the great multitude, And dreaded the contempt of families, So that I kept silence And did not go out of the door--
Because I feared the great multitude, And the contempt of families terrified me, And kept silent and did not go out of doors?
Because I feared the great multitude,And the contempt of families terrified me,And I kept silent and did not go out of doors—
Contextual Overview
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
Did I: Exodus 23:2, Proverbs 29:25, Jeremiah 38:4, Jeremiah 38:5, Jeremiah 38:16, Jeremiah 38:19, Matthew 27:20-26
the contempt: Job 22:8, Job 34:19, Exodus 32:27, Numbers 25:14, Numbers 25:15, Nehemiah 5:7, Nehemiah 13:4-8, Nehemiah 13:28, 2 Corinthians 5:16
that I: Esther 4:11, Esther 4:14, Proverbs 24:11, Proverbs 24:12, Amos 5:11-13, Micah 7:3
Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 1:17 - ye shall not 1 Samuel 15:24 - I feared Nehemiah 13:11 - contended Jeremiah 38:9 - these
Cross-References
Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon camels;
And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father's.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
Did I fear a great multitude?.... No, they did not deter him from confessing his sin in the most public manner, when sensible or convicted of it, and when such a public acknowledgment was necessary:
or did the contempt of families terrify me? no, the contempt he might suppose he should be had in by some families that knew him, and he was well acquainted with, did not terrify him from making a free and ingenuous confession of his sins:
that I kept silence; or "did I keep silence",
[and] went not out of the door? so as not to open his mouth by confession in public, but kept within doors through fear and shame; or else the sense is, that he was not intimidated from doing his duty as a civil magistrate, administering justice to the poor and oppressed; neither the dread of a clamorous mob, nor the contempt of families of note, or great personages, could deter him from the execution of his office with uprightness, so as to cause him to be silent, and keep at home; but without any regard to the fear of the one, or the contempt of the other, he went out from his house through the street to the court of judicature, took his place on the bench, and gave judgment in favour of those that were oppressed, though the multitude was against them, and even persons and families of note: or thus, though I could have put a great multitude to fear, yet the most contemptible persons in any family, so Aben Ezra and Ben Gersom interpret that phrase, the meanest person, or but a beggar, if his cause was just, terrified him; or such was the fear of God upon him, that he durst do no other than to do him justice; so that he could not open his mouth against him, or stir out of doors to do him the tease; injury; though perhaps it may be best of all, with Schultens, to consider these words as an imprecation, that if what he had said before from Job 31:24 was not true; if he was not clear from idolatry figurative, and literal, from a malicious and revengeful spirit, from inhospitality and unkindness to strangers, from palliating, excusing, and extenuating his sins; then as if he should say, may I be frightened with a tumult, or a multitude of people, and terrified with the public contempt of families; may I be as silent as a mope in my own house, and never dare to stir out of doors, or show my thee, or see face of any man any more: and then, before he had quite finished his account of himself, breaks out in the following manner.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Did I fear a great multitude - Our translators have rendered this as if Job meant to say that he had not been deterred from doing what he supposed was right by the fear of others; as if he had been independent, and had done what he knew to be right, undeterred by the fear of popular fury, or the loss of the favor of the great. This version is adopted also by the Vulgate, by Herder, and substantially by Coverdale and Luther. Another interpretation has, however, been proposed, and is adopted by Schultens, Noyes, Good, Umbreit, Dathe, and Scott, which is, that this is to be regarded as an imprecations, or that this is the punishment which he invoked and expected if he had been guilty of the crime which is specified in the previous verses. The meaning then would be “Then let me be confounded before the great multitude! Let the contempt of families cover me with shame! Let me keep silence, and let me never appear abroad!” The Hebrew will admit of either construction, and either of them will accord well with the connection. The latter, however, regarding it as an imprecation, seems to me to be preferable, for two reasons:
(1) It will accord more forcibly with what he had said in the previous verse. The sense then would be, as expressed by Patrick, “If I have studied to appear better than I am, and have not made a free confession, but, like our first parent, have concealed or excused my faults, and, out of self-love, have hidden mine iniquity, because I dread what the people will say of me, or am terrified by the contempt into which the knowledge of my guilt will bring me with the neighboring families, then am I content my mouth should be stopped, and that I never stir out of my door any more.”
(2) This interpretation seems to be required, in order to make a proper close of his remarks. The general course in this chapter has been to specify an offence, and then to utter an imprecation if he had been guilty of it. In the previous verses he had specified crimes of which he had declared himself innocent; but unless this verse be so regarded, there is no invocation of any corresponding punishment if he had been guilty. It seems probable, therefore, that this verse is so to be regarded. According to this, the phrase “Did I fear a great multitude” means, “Then let me be terrified by a multitude - by the opinions of the world, and let this be the punishment of my sin. Since by the fear of others I was led to hide my sin in my bosom, let it be my lot to lose all popular favor, and feel that I am the object of public scorn and contempt!”
Or did the contempt of families terrify me - Let the contempt of families crush me; let me be despised and abhorred by them. If I was led to hide sins in my bosom because I feared them, then let me be doomed to the total loss of their favor, and become wholly the object of their scorn.
That I kept silence - Or let me keep silence as a punishment. That is, let me not be admitted as a counsellor, or allowed to express my sentiments in the public assemblies.
And went not out at the door - That is, “Let me not go out at the door. Let me be confined to my dwelling, and never be allowed to appear in public, to mingle in society, to take part in public affairs - because by the fear of the world I attempted to hide my faults in my bosom. Such a punishment would be appropriate to such an offence. The retribution would be no more than a suitable recompense for such an act of guilt - and I would not shrink from it.”
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Job 31:34. Did I fear a great multitude — Was I ever prevented by the voice of the many from decreeing and executing what was right? When many families or tribes espoused a particular cause, which I found, on examination, to be wrong, did they put me in fear, so as to prevent me from doing justice to the weak and friendless? Or, in any of these cases, was I ever, through fear, self-seeking, or favour, prevented from declaring my mind, or constrained to keep my house, lest I should be obliged to give judgment against my conscience? Mr. Good thinks it an imprecation upon himself, if he had done any of the evils which he mentions in the preceding verse. He translates thus: -
"Then let me be confounded before the assembled multitude,
And let the reproach of its families quash me!
Yea, let me be struck dumb! let me never appear abroad!"
I am satisfied that Job 31:38-40, should come in either here, or immediately after Job 31:25; and that Job's words should end with Job 31:37, which, if the others were inserted in their proper places, would be Job 31:40. See the reasons at the end of the chapter. Job 31:40.
