Job 31:28
New International Version
then these also would be sins to be judged, for I would have been unfaithful to God on high.

New Living Translation
If so, I should be punished by the judges, for it would mean I had denied the God of heaven.

English Standard Version
this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges, for I would have been false to God above.

Berean Standard Bible
this would also be an iniquity to be judged, for I would have denied God on high.

King James Bible
This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.

New King James Version
This also would be an iniquity deserving of judgment, For I would have denied God who is above.

New American Standard Bible
That too would have been a guilty deed calling for judgment, For I would have denied God above.

NASB 1995
That too would have been an iniquity calling for judgment, For I would have denied God above.

NASB 1977
That too would have been an iniquity calling for judgment, For I would have denied God above.

Legacy Standard Bible
That too would have been an iniquity calling for judgment, For I would have denied God above.

Amplified Bible
This also would have been [a heinous] sin calling for judgment, For I would have denied God above.

Christian Standard Bible
this would also be an iniquity deserving punishment, for I would have denied God above.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
this would also be a crime deserving punishment, for I would have denied God above.

American Standard Version
This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judges; For I should have denied the God that is above.

Contemporary English Version
Such horrible sins would have deserved punishment from God.

English Revised Version
This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judges: for I should have lied to God that is above.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
then that, too, would be a criminal offense, and I would have denied God above.

Good News Translation
Such a sin should be punished by death; it denies Almighty God.

International Standard Version
this is also a sin that deserves to be judged, since I would have tried to deceive God above."

Majority Standard Bible
this would also be an iniquity to be judged, for I would have denied God on high.

NET Bible
then this also would be iniquity to be judged, for I would have been false to God above.

New Heart English Bible
this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges; for I should have denied the God who is above.

Webster's Bible Translation
This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.

World English Bible
this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges, for I would have denied the God who is above.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
It also [is] a judicial iniquity, "" For I had lied to God above.

Young's Literal Translation
It also is a judicial iniquity, For I had lied to God above.

Smith's Literal Translation
Also this an iniquity for the judges: for I lied to God from above.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Which is a very great iniquity, and a denial against the most high God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
which is a very great iniquity and a denial against the most high God;

New American Bible
This too would be a crime for condemnation, for I should have denied God above.

New Revised Standard Version
this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges, for I should have been false to God above.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then God has seen my crafty ways, and I have lied before him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Also he sees all my devices, if I have lied before God
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judges; For I should have lied to God that is above.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
let this also then be reckoned to me as the greatest iniquity: for I should have lied against the Lord Most High.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Job's Final Appeal
27so that my heart was secretly enticed and my hand threw a kiss from my mouth, 28this would also be an iniquity to be judged, for I would have denied God on high. 29If I have rejoiced in my enemy’s ruin, or exulted when evil befell him—…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 17:2-5
If a man or woman among you in one of the towns that the LORD your God gives you is found doing evil in the sight of the LORD your God by transgressing His covenant / and going to worship other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven—which I have forbidden— / and if it is reported and you hear about it, you must investigate it thoroughly. If the report is true and such an abomination has happened in Israel, ...

Exodus 20:3-5
You shall have no other gods before Me. / You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath. / You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,

Isaiah 44:9-20
All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame. / Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing? / Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are only human. Let them all assemble and take their stand; they will all be brought to terror and shame. ...

Jeremiah 8:2
They will be exposed to the sun and moon, and to all the host of heaven which they have loved, served, followed, consulted, and worshiped. Their bones will not be gathered up or buried, but will become like dung lying on the ground.

Jeremiah 19:13
The houses of Jerusalem and the houses of the kings of Judah will be defiled like that place, Topheth—all the houses on whose rooftops they burned incense to all the host of heaven and poured out drink offerings to other gods.”

2 Kings 23:5
Josiah also did away with the idolatrous priests ordained by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem—those who had burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven.

Ezekiel 8:16
So He brought me to the inner court of the house of the LORD, and there at the entrance to the temple of the LORD, between the portico and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east; and they were bowing to the east in worship of the sun.

Deuteronomy 4:19
When you look to the heavens and see the sun and moon and stars—all the host of heaven—do not be enticed to bow down and worship what the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven.

2 Chronicles 33:3
For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had torn down, and he raised up altars for the Baals and made Asherah poles. And he worshiped and served all the host of heaven.

Leviticus 26:30
I will destroy your high places, cut down your incense altars, and heap your lifeless bodies on the lifeless remains of your idols; and My soul will despise you.

Romans 1:25
They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen.

Acts 17:29-30
Therefore, being offspring of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by man’s skill and imagination. / Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent.

1 Corinthians 10:14
Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

Galatians 4:8
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.

Colossians 3:5
Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.


Treasury of Scripture

This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.

an

Job 31:11
For this is an heinous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges.

Job 9:15
Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge.

Job 23:7
There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.

for

Joshua 24:23,27
Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD God of Israel…

Proverbs 30:9
Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

Titus 1:16
They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

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Job 31
1. Job makes a solemn protestation of his integrity in several duties














this would also be an iniquity to be judged
In the context of Job 31, Job is making a series of oaths to assert his integrity and righteousness. The term "iniquity" refers to moral wrongdoing or sin. In the ancient Near Eastern context, iniquity was often associated with actions that violated divine law. Job acknowledges that certain actions, such as idolatry or injustice, are not just personal failings but offenses that warrant divine judgment. This reflects the biblical principle that God is the ultimate judge of human actions, as seen in passages like Ecclesiastes 12:14, which states that God will bring every deed into judgment.

for I would have denied God on high
Denying God "on high" implies a rejection or renunciation of God's sovereignty and authority. In the cultural and historical context of the Old Testament, acknowledging God was central to the identity and faith of the Israelites. Denial of God could be equated with idolatry or turning to other deities, which was a serious offense. This phrase underscores the gravity of such an act, as it would mean turning away from the Creator. The concept of denying God is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus warns against denying Him before others (Matthew 10:33). This phrase also highlights the importance of faithfulness to God, a theme that runs throughout Scripture and is exemplified in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
A man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, known for his immense suffering and unwavering faith.

2. God on high
Refers to the Almighty God, the supreme being whom Job acknowledges as the ultimate judge and authority.

3. Iniquity
A term used to describe sin or moral wrongdoing. In this context, Job refers to the act of denying God as a serious sin.

4. Judgment
The divine evaluation of human actions. Job acknowledges that denying God would be subject to God's judgment.

5. Idolatry
Although not explicitly mentioned in this verse, the context of Job 31 includes Job's rejection of idolatry, which is relevant to understanding the denial of God.
Teaching Points
The Seriousness of Denying God
Denying God is not just a personal failing but an act of iniquity that carries serious spiritual consequences.

The Importance of Acknowledging God
Acknowledging God in all aspects of life is crucial for maintaining a righteous relationship with Him.

Idolatry as a Form of Denial
Placing anything above God, whether material or ideological, is akin to denying His sovereignty.

Accountability Before God
Every action and thought is subject to God's judgment, emphasizing the need for integrity and faithfulness.

Faithfulness in Adversity
Like Job, maintaining faith in God during trials is a testament to true devotion and trust in His justice.(28) By the judge.--Rather, perhaps, by my judge, i.e., God; unless, indeed, there be any reference to the Mosaic law (Deuteronomy 17:2-7), which does not seem likely.

Verse 28. - This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge (see the comment on ver. 11, adfin.). It is rightly concluded from this expression that, in the country and age of Job, the sort of idolatry which is here mentioned was practised by some, and also that it was legally punishable. For I should have denied the God that is above. The worship of any other god besides the supreme God is, practically, atheism, since "no man can serve two masters." Moreover, to set up two independent gods is to destroy the idea of God, which implies supremacy over every other being.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
this
ה֭וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

would also be
גַּם־ (gam-)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

an iniquity
עָוֺ֣ן (‘ā·wōn)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 5771: Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity

to be judged,
פְּלִילִ֑י (pə·lî·lî)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6416: For a judge, calling for judgment

for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I would have denied
כִחַ֖שְׁתִּי (ḵi·ḥaš·tî)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3584: To disappoint, deceive, fail, grow lean

God
לָאֵ֣ל (lā·’êl)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 410: Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty

on high.
מִמָּֽעַל׃ (mim·mā·‘al)
Preposition-m | Adverb
Strong's 4605: The upper part, with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top


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OT Poetry: Job 31:28 This also would be an iniquity (Jb)
Job 31:27
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