Job 31:34 - 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—
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Job 31:34" mean?
Job 31:34 is a powerful and revealing verse that delves into the potential reasons why someone might compromise their integrity or truthfulness. Let's break down what it means:
"Because I feared the great multitude...": This speaks to the pressure of public opinion and the fear of being judged or ostracized by a large group of people. Job is saying that if he had committed the sins he is denying (in the context of the whole chapter), he would have been afraid of the general population finding out and condemning him.
"...and the contempt of families terrified me...": This adds another layer of social fear. It wasn't just the masses Job would fear, but the specific disapproval and scorn of influential or powerful families in his community. This speaks to the importance of social standing and the desire to maintain a good reputation within the established social order.
"...so that I kept silence...": This is the consequence of the fears. The fear of public shame and the contempt of prominent families would have driven Job to remain silent about his wrongdoing. He wouldn't confess or admit to the sins he's accused of, choosing instead to hide the truth.
"...and didn't go out of the door—": This is a powerful image of isolation and withdrawal. It implies that the guilt and fear of exposure would have been so overwhelming that Job would have become a recluse, unable to face the world outside his home. He would be too ashamed to appear in public.
In essence, Job is saying: "If I were guilty of the things I'm being accused of, I would have been too afraid of the people and families around me to admit it. I would have hidden my sin and withdrawn from society."
Key Interpretations and Significance:
Emphasis on Integrity: The verse is significant because Job is using this as evidence of his innocence. He's asserting that he has not acted out of fear or self-preservation. If he were guilty, he wouldn't be standing here, defiantly declaring his innocence before God and his accusers.
Power of Social Pressure: It highlights the immense power that social pressure and the fear of judgment can have on human behavior. It shows how easily people can be swayed to compromise their values or conceal their actions to maintain social acceptance or avoid shame.
Contrast with Job's Actual Behavior: The verse creates a stark contrast between what Job would have done if he were guilty and what he is doing: boldly proclaiming his innocence despite the suffering he's enduring.
Universal Human Experience: The verse speaks to a universal human experience. The desire for approval and the fear of rejection are powerful motivators that can influence our choices.
A Reflection on Fear and Truthfulness: Job is contrasting fear of man with fear of God. Job is unafraid to stand up for what is truthful and just because Job reveres God and fears doing anything that displeases God.
In conclusion, Job 31:34 is a crucial verse that strengthens Job's argument for his innocence. It underscores the immense pressure individuals face to conform to social expectations and reveals Job's courage in upholding his integrity even in the face of immense suffering and accusations.
Job 31:34 - 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—
What does "Job 31:34" mean?
Job 31:34 is a powerful and revealing verse that delves into the potential reasons why someone might compromise their integrity or truthfulness. Let's break down what it means:
"Because I feared the great multitude...": This speaks to the pressure of public opinion and the fear of being judged or ostracized by a large group of people. Job is saying that if he had committed the sins he is denying (in the context of the whole chapter), he would have been afraid of the general population finding out and condemning him.
"...and the contempt of families terrified me...": This adds another layer of social fear. It wasn't just the masses Job would fear, but the specific disapproval and scorn of influential or powerful families in his community. This speaks to the importance of social standing and the desire to maintain a good reputation within the established social order.
"...so that I kept silence...": This is the consequence of the fears. The fear of public shame and the contempt of prominent families would have driven Job to remain silent about his wrongdoing. He wouldn't confess or admit to the sins he's accused of, choosing instead to hide the truth.
"...and didn't go out of the door—": This is a powerful image of isolation and withdrawal. It implies that the guilt and fear of exposure would have been so overwhelming that Job would have become a recluse, unable to face the world outside his home. He would be too ashamed to appear in public.
In essence, Job is saying: "If I were guilty of the things I'm being accused of, I would have been too afraid of the people and families around me to admit it. I would have hidden my sin and withdrawn from society."
Key Interpretations and Significance:
Emphasis on Integrity: The verse is significant because Job is using this as evidence of his innocence. He's asserting that he has not acted out of fear or self-preservation. If he were guilty, he wouldn't be standing here, defiantly declaring his innocence before God and his accusers.
Power of Social Pressure: It highlights the immense power that social pressure and the fear of judgment can have on human behavior. It shows how easily people can be swayed to compromise their values or conceal their actions to maintain social acceptance or avoid shame.
Contrast with Job's Actual Behavior: The verse creates a stark contrast between what Job would have done if he were guilty and what he is doing: boldly proclaiming his innocence despite the suffering he's enduring.
Universal Human Experience: The verse speaks to a universal human experience. The desire for approval and the fear of rejection are powerful motivators that can influence our choices.
A Reflection on Fear and Truthfulness: Job is contrasting fear of man with fear of God. Job is unafraid to stand up for what is truthful and just because Job reveres God and fears doing anything that displeases God.
In conclusion, Job 31:34 is a crucial verse that strengthens Job's argument for his innocence. It underscores the immense pressure individuals face to conform to social expectations and reveals Job's courage in upholding his integrity even in the face of immense suffering and accusations.