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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Job 31:39 if I have devoured its produce without payment or broken the spirit of its tenants,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/31-39.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/18_Job_31_39.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 31:39 - Job's Final Appeal" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="if I have devoured its produce without payment or broken the spirit of its tenants," /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad19.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/job/31-38.htm" title="Job 31:38">◄</a> Job 31:39 <a href="/job/31-40.htm" title="Job 31:40">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/job/31.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/job/31.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />if I have devoured its yield without payment or broken the spirit of its tenants,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/31.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />or if I have stolen its crops or murdered its owners,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/31.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />if I have eaten its yield without payment and made its owners breathe their last,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/31.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />if I have devoured its produce without payment or broken the spirit of its tenants,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/31.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/31.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />If I have eaten its fruit without money, Or caused its owners to lose their lives;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/31.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />If I have eaten its fruit without money, Or have caused its owners to lose their lives,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/31.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />If I have eaten its fruit without money, Or have caused its owners to lose their lives,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/31.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />If I have eaten its fruit without money, Or have caused its owners to lose their lives,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/31.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />If I have eaten its fruit without money, Or have caused its owners to lose their lives,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/31.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />If I have eaten its fruits without paying for them, Or have caused its [rightful] owners to lose their lives,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/31.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />if I have consumed its produce without payment or shown contempt for its tenants,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/31.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />if I have consumed its produce without payment or shown contempt for its tenants, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/31.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, Or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/31.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Nor have I cheated my workers and caused them pain. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/31.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/31.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />If I have eaten its produce without paying for it and made its owners breathe their last,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/31.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />if I have eaten the food that grew there but let the farmers that grew it starve--<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/31.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />If I've consumed its produce without paying for it and snuffed out the life of its owners;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/31.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />if I have devoured its produce without payment or broken the spirit of its tenants,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/31.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />if I have eaten its produce without paying, or caused the death of its owners, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/31.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />if I have eaten its fruits without money, or have caused its owners to lose their life,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/31.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />If I have eaten the fruits of it without money, or have caused its owners to lose their life:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/31.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />if I have eaten its fruits without money, or have caused its owners to lose their life, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/31.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />If I consumed its strength without money, "" And the life of its possessors, I have caused to breathe out,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/31.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> If its strength I consumed without money, And the life of its possessors, I have caused to breathe out,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/31.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />If I ate its strength without silver, and caused its possessors to expire:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/31.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, and have afflicted the soul of the tillers thereof: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/31.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />if I have used its fruits for nothing but money and have afflicted the souls of its tillers,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/31.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />If I have eaten its strength without payment and grieved the hearts of its tenants; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/31.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />if I have eaten its yield without payment, and caused the death of its owners;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/31.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />If I have eaten its fruits without money; or if I have grieved one whose life is bitter,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/31.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />If I consumed its power without expense, or if I have made the soul of the bitter drunk<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/31.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, Or have caused the tillers thereof to be disappointed--<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/31.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />and if I ate its strength alone without price, and if I too grieved the heart of the owner of the soil, by taking <i>aught</i> from <i>him</i>:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/31-39.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XAwuD5NuZq0?start=4819" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/job/31.htm">Job's Final Appeal</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">38</span>if my land cries out against me and its furrows weep together, <span class="reftext">39</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">if</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: ’ā·ḵal·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">I have devoured</a> <a href="/hebrew/3581.htm" title="3581: kō·ḥāh (N-msc:: 3fs) -- Or kowach; from an unused root meaning to be firm; vigor, literally or figuratively; also a large lizard.">its produce</a> <a href="/hebrew/1097.htm" title="1097: ḇə·lî- (Adv) -- From balah; properly, failure, i.e. Nothing or destruction; usually without, not yet, because not, as long as, etc.">without</a> <a href="/hebrew/3701.htm" title="3701: ḵā·sep̄ (N-ms) -- Silver, money. From kacaph; silver; by implication, money.">payment</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: wə·ne·p̄eš (Conj-w:: N-fsc) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">or broken the spirit</a> <a href="/hebrew/5301.htm" title="5301: hip·pā·ḥə·tî (V-Hifil-Perf-1cs) -- To breathe, blow. A primitive root; to puff, in various applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1167.htm" title="1167: bə·‘ā·le·hā (N-mpc:: 3fs) -- Owner, lord. From ba'al; a master; hence, a husband, or owner.">of its tenants,</a> </span><span class="reftext">40</span>then let briers grow instead of wheat and stinkweed instead of barley.” Thus conclude the words of Job.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/5-4.htm">James 5:4</a></span><br />Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/19-13.htm">Leviticus 19:13</a></span><br />You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him. You must not withhold until morning the wages due a hired hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/24-14.htm">Deuteronomy 24:14-15</a></span><br />Do not oppress a hired hand who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. / You are to pay his wages each day before sunset, because he is poor and depends on them. Otherwise he may cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/22-13.htm">Jeremiah 22:13</a></span><br />“Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, and his upper rooms without justice, who makes his countrymen serve without pay, and fails to pay their wages,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/3-5.htm">Malachi 3:5</a></span><br />“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/22-16.htm">Proverbs 22:16</a></span><br />Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself or giving gifts to the rich will surely lead to poverty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/14-31.htm">Proverbs 14:31</a></span><br />Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-8.htm">Isaiah 5:8</a></span><br />Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field until no place is left and you live alone in the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/8-4.htm">Amos 8:4-6</a></span><br />Hear this, you who trample the needy, who do away with the poor of the land, / asking, “When will the New Moon be over, that we may sell grain? When will the Sabbath end, that we may market wheat? Let us reduce the ephah and increase the shekel; let us cheat with dishonest scales. / Let us buy the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, selling even the chaff with the wheat!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/2-2.htm">Micah 2:2</a></span><br />They covet fields and seize them; they take away houses. They deprive a man of his home, a fellow man of his inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-7.htm">Luke 10:7</a></span><br />Stay at the same house, eating and drinking whatever you are offered. For the worker is worthy of his wages. Do not move around from house to house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/4-1.htm">Colossians 4:1</a></span><br />Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/6-9.htm">Ephesians 6:9</a></span><br />And masters, do the same for your slaves. Give up your use of threats, because you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/20-1.htm">Matthew 20:1-16</a></span><br />“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. / He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. / About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-25.htm">Matthew 23:25</a></span><br />Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life:</p><p class="hdg">fruits.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/4-12.htm">Genesis 4:12</a></b></br> When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/21-13.htm">1 Kings 21:13-16,19</a></b></br> And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, <i>even</i> against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/1-19.htm">Proverbs 1:19</a></b></br> So <i>are</i> the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; <i>which</i> taketh away the life of the owners thereof.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/26-21.htm">Isaiah 26:21</a></b></br> For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/11-20.htm">Breathe</a> <a href="/job/31-22.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/job/31-16.htm">Caused</a> <a href="/job/29-3.htm">Causing</a> <a href="/job/22-20.htm">Consumed</a> <a href="/job/31-19.htm">Death</a> <a href="/job/20-21.htm">Devoured</a> <a href="/job/6-20.htm">Disappointed</a> <a href="/job/31-17.htm">Eaten</a> <a href="/job/31-8.htm">Fruit</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-31.htm">Fruits</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/15-7.htm">Lose</a> <a href="/job/6-23.htm">Money</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/14-15.htm">Owners</a> <a href="/job/28-15.htm">Payment</a> <a href="/job/31-12.htm">Produce</a> <a href="/job/24-12.htm">Souls</a> <a href="/job/27-3.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/job/30-21.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/29-15.htm">Tenants</a> <a href="/job/31-38.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/joel/1-11.htm">Tillers</a> <a href="/job/15-20.htm">Tormented</a> <a href="/job/22-21.htm">Yield</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/12-5.htm">Breathe</a> <a href="/job/32-15.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/job/34-28.htm">Caused</a> <a href="/job/33-22.htm">Causing</a> <a href="/job/33-21.htm">Consumed</a> <a href="/job/33-22.htm">Death</a> <a href="/psalms/18-8.htm">Devoured</a> <a href="/job/41-9.htm">Disappointed</a> <a href="/psalms/14-4.htm">Eaten</a> <a href="/job/34-11.htm">Fruit</a> <a href="/psalms/40-6.htm">Fruits</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-8.htm">Lose</a> <a href="/job/42-11.htm">Money</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-19.htm">Owners</a> <a href="/psalms/15-5.htm">Payment</a> <a href="/job/38-27.htm">Produce</a> <a href="/psalms/33-19.htm">Souls</a> <a href="/job/32-8.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/job/33-25.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/matthew/21-33.htm">Tenants</a> <a href="/job/36-27.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/joel/1-11.htm">Tillers</a> <a href="/psalms/137-3.htm">Tormented</a> <a href="/job/32-13.htm">Yield</a><div class="vheading2">Job 31</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/31-1.htm">Job makes a solemn protestation of his integrity in several duties</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/31.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/job/31.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>if I have devoured its produce without payment</b><br>This phrase reflects the ethical and moral standards expected in ancient Israelite society, where fairness and justice in economic transactions were paramount. The concept of devouring produce without payment suggests exploitation or theft, which is condemned throughout Scripture. In <a href="/leviticus/19-13.htm">Leviticus 19:13</a>, the law explicitly states, "Do not defraud or rob your neighbor." This aligns with the broader biblical principle of loving one's neighbor and acting justly, as seen in <a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a>. The imagery of "devouring" also evokes the idea of consuming resources greedily, which is contrary to the stewardship expected of God's people. In a broader theological context, this phrase can be seen as a reflection of the integrity and righteousness that Job claims to uphold, contrasting with the accusations of wrongdoing from his friends.<p><b>or broken the spirit of its tenants</b><br>The breaking of the spirit of tenants implies a misuse of power and authority, leading to oppression and injustice. In the ancient Near Eastern context, landowners had significant power over their tenants, who were often vulnerable to exploitation. The biblical narrative consistently advocates for the protection of the weak and the fair treatment of workers, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/24-14.htm">Deuteronomy 24:14-15</a>, which commands prompt payment of wages to hired workers. This phrase also resonates with the prophetic calls for justice, such as in <a href="/isaiah/58-6.htm">Isaiah 58:6</a>, where God desires the breaking of yokes and the freeing of the oppressed. Job's assertion here is a defense of his character, emphasizing that he has not abused his position or mistreated those under his care. This reflects the broader biblical theme of righteous leadership, which is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who embodies perfect justice and compassion.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>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.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/l/land/tenants.htm">Land/Tenants</a></b><br>The verse refers to the land and its tenants, highlighting the relationship between landowners and those who work the land. This reflects the agrarian society of ancient times.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>Implicit in the text is the presence of God, to whom Job is making his case, asserting his integrity and righteousness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/i/integrity_in_business_practices.htm">Integrity in Business Practices</a></b><br>Job exemplifies integrity by ensuring fair compensation for labor and produce. Christians are called to uphold honesty and fairness in all business dealings.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/respect_for_workers.htm">Respect for Workers</a></b><br>The verse highlights the importance of treating workers with dignity and respect. Believers should ensure that their actions do not harm or oppress those who work for them.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/stewardship_of_resources.htm">Stewardship of Resources</a></b><br>Job's statement reflects a responsible stewardship of resources, reminding Christians to manage their resources ethically and justly.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/accountability_before_god.htm">Accountability Before God</a></b><br>Job's appeal to his integrity is ultimately made before God, emphasizing that our actions are accountable to Him. Christians should live with an awareness of divine accountability.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/social_justice_and_compassion.htm">Social Justice and Compassion</a></b><br>The verse encourages believers to advocate for social justice and show compassion to those who are vulnerable or marginalized in society.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_31.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 31</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_ahinoam_of_jezreel.htm">Can Satan listen to our prayers?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_satan_an_individual_being.htm">Is Satan an individual being?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_definition_of_actual_grace.htm">How can a young man purify his path?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_elemental_spirits.htm">What are marine spirits?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/31.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 39.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money</span>; <span class="accented">i.e</span>. without acquiring a title to them by purchase<span class="cmt_word">. Or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life.</span> Either by actual violence or by depriving them of the means of support (see the comment on Job 29:13). Job had been accused of robbery and oppression both by Zophar (<a href="/job/20-12.htm">Job 20:12-19</a>) and Eliphaz (<a href="/job/22-5.htm">Job 22:5-9</a>). He had not, however, been accused of actual murder. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/31-39.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">if</span><br /><span class="heb">אִם־</span> <span class="translit">(’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I have devoured</span><br /><span class="heb">אָכַ֣לְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḵal·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To eat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">its produce</span><br /><span class="heb">כֹּ֭חָהּ</span> <span class="translit">(kō·ḥāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3581.htm">Strong's 3581: </a> </span><span class="str2">A small reptile (of unknown species)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">without</span><br /><span class="heb">בְלִי־</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·lî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1097.htm">Strong's 1097: </a> </span><span class="str2">Failure, nothing, destruction, without, not yet, because not, as long as</span><br /><br /><span class="word">payment</span><br /><span class="heb">כָ֑סֶף</span> <span class="translit">(ḵā·sep̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3701.htm">Strong's 3701: </a> </span><span class="str2">Silver, money</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or broken the spirit</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנֶ֖פֶשׁ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ne·p̄eš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion </span><br /><br /><span class="word">of its tenants,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּעָלֶ֣יהָ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·‘ā·le·hā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1167.htm">Strong's 1167: </a> </span><span class="str2">A master, a husband, owner</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/31-39.htm">Job 31:39 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/31-39.htm">Job 31:39 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/31-39.htm">Job 31:39 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/31-39.htm">Job 31:39 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/31-39.htm">Job 31:39 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/31-39.htm">Job 31:39 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/31-39.htm">Job 31:39 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/31-39.htm">Job 31:39 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/31-39.htm">Job 31:39 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/31-39.htm">Job 31:39 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/31-39.htm">OT Poetry: Job 31:39 If I have eaten its fruits without (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/31-38.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 31:38"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 31:38" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/31-40.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 31:40"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 31:40" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>