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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 31:40 then let briers grow instead of wheat and stinkweed instead of barley." Thus conclude the words of Job.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/31-40.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/18_Job_31_40.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 31:40 - Job's Final Appeal" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="then let briers grow instead of wheat and stinkweed instead of barley. Thus conclude the words of Job." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/job/31-40.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/job/31-40.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/job/">Job</a> > <a href="/job/31.htm">Chapter 31</a> > Verse 40</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad20.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/31-39.htm" title="Job 31:39">◄</a> Job 31:40 <a href="/job/32-1.htm" title="Job 32:1">►</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 />then let briers come up instead of wheat and stinkweed instead of barley.&#8221 The words of Job are ended.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/31.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />then let thistles grow on that land instead of wheat, and weeds instead of barley.” Job’s words are ended.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/31.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />let thorns grow instead of wheat, and foul weeds instead of barley.” The words of Job are ended.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/31.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />then let briers grow instead of wheat and stinkweed instead of barley.” Thus conclude the words of Job.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/31.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/31.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br /><i>Then</i> let thistles grow instead of wheat, And weeds instead of barley.” The words of Job are ended.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/31.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />May the thorn-bush grow instead of wheat, And stinkweed instead of barley.” The words of Job are ended.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/31.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Let briars grow instead of wheat, And stinkweed instead of barley.&#8221 The words of Job are ended.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/31.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Let briars grow instead of wheat, And stinkweed instead of barley.”<PR>The words of Job are ended. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/31.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Let briars come out instead of wheat, And stinkweed instead of barley.” The words of Job are ended.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/31.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Let thorns grow instead of wheat, And stinkweed <i>and</i> cockleburs instead of barley.” So the words of Job [with his friends] are finished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/31.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />then let thorns grow instead of wheat and stinkweed instead of barley. The words of Job are concluded.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/31.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />then let thorns grow instead of wheat and stinkweed instead of barley. The words of Job are concluded. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/31.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Let thistles grow instead of wheat, And cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/31.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If I had, I would pray for weeds instead of wheat to grow in my fields. After saying these things, Job was silent. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/31.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/31.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />[then] let it grow thistles instead of wheat, and foul-smelling weeds instead of barley." This is the end of Job's words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/31.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />then instead of wheat and barley, may weeds and thistles grow. The words of Job are ended. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/31.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />may thorns spring up instead of wheat, and obnoxious weeds instead of barley." With this, Job's discourse with his friends is completed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/31.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />then let thorns sprout up in place of wheat, and in place of barley, weeds!" The words of Job are ended. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/31.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />let briars grow instead of wheat, and stinkweed instead of barley." The words of Job are ended.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/31.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/31.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />then let briers grow instead of wheat and stinkweed instead of barley.” Thus conclude the words of Job.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/31.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />let briers grow instead of wheat, and stinkweed instead of barley.” The words of Job are ended. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/31.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Instead of wheat let a thorn go forth, "" And instead of barley a useless weed!” The words of Job are finished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/31.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Instead of wheat let a thorn go forth, And instead of barley a useless weed! The words of Job are finished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/31.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The thorn shall come forth, instead of wheat, and the weed instead of barley. The words of Job were completed.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/31.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Let thistles grow up to me instead of wheat, and thorns instead of barley. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/31.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />then, may thistles spring forth for me instead of grain, and thorns instead of barley. (This ended the words of Job.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/31.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then let the thorns grow instead of wheat and stinkweed instead of barley! The words of Job are ended.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/31.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />let thorns grow instead of wheat, and foul weeds instead of barley.” The words of Job are ended.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/31.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then let thistles grow instead of wheat and thorns instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/31.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Instead of wheat will come forth a dung heap, and instead of barley will come forth thorns.” And the statements of Job are finished <div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/31.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Let thistles grow instead of wheat, And noisome weeds instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/31.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />then let the nettle come up to me instead of wheat, and a bramble instead of barley. And Job ceased speaking.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/31-40.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=4825" 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">39</span>if I have devoured its produce without payment or broken the spirit of its tenants, <span class="reftext">40</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2336.htm" title="2336: ḥō·w·aḥ (N-ms) -- Briar, bramble, hook, ring, fetter. From an unused root apparently meaning to pierce; a thorn; by analogy, a ring for the nose.">then let briers</a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: yê·ṣê (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">grow</a> <a href="/hebrew/8478.htm" title="8478: ta·ḥaṯ (Prep) -- Underneath, below, instead of. From the same as Towach; the bottom; only adverbially, below, in lieu of, etc.">instead of</a> <a href="/hebrew/2406.htm" title="2406: ḥiṭ·ṭāh (N-fs) -- Wheat. Of uncertain derivation; wheat, whether the grain or the plant.">wheat</a> <a href="/hebrew/890.htm" title="890: ḇā·’ə·šāh (N-fs) -- Stinking or noxious weeds. Feminine of b'osh; stink-weed or any other noxious or useless plant.">and stinkweed</a> <a href="/hebrew/8478.htm" title="8478: wə·ṯa·ḥaṯ- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- Underneath, below, instead of. From the same as Towach; the bottom; only adverbially, below, in lieu of, etc.">instead of</a> <a href="/hebrew/8184.htm" title="8184: śə·‘ō·rāh (N-fs) -- Barley. Or snowrah; and; also s or; or s-owr; from sa'ar in the sense of roughness; barley.">barley.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/8552.htm" title="8552: tam·mū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive.">Thus conclude</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: diḇ·rê (N-mpc) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">the words</a> <a href="/hebrew/347.htm" title="347: ’î·yō·wḇ (N-proper-ms) -- A patriarch. From 'ayab; hated; Ijob, the patriarch famous for his patience.">of Job.</a> </span><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="/genesis/3-17.htm">Genesis 3:17-18</a></span><br />And to Adam He said: “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat, cursed is the ground because of you; through toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. / Both thorns and thistles it will yield for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/28-15.htm">Deuteronomy 28:15-18</a></span><br />If, however, you do not obey the LORD your God by carefully following all His commandments and statutes I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: / You will be cursed in the city and cursed in the country. / Your basket and kneading bowl will be cursed. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/10-12.htm">Hosea 10:12-13</a></span><br />Sow for yourselves righteousness and reap the fruit of loving devotion; break up your unplowed ground. For it is time to seek the LORD until He comes and sends righteousness upon you like rain. / You have plowed wickedness and reaped injustice; you have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your own way and in the multitude of your mighty men,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/12-13.htm">Jeremiah 12:13</a></span><br />They have sown wheat but harvested thorns. They have exhausted themselves to no avail. Bear the shame of your harvest because of the fierce anger of the LORD.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-1.htm">Isaiah 5:1-7</a></span><br />I will sing for my beloved a song of his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. / He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour! / “And now, O dwellers of Jerusalem and men of Judah, I exhort you to judge between Me and My vineyard. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/22-8.htm">Proverbs 22:8</a></span><br />He who sows injustice will reap disaster, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/6-15.htm">Micah 6:15</a></span><br />You will sow but not reap; you will press olives but not anoint yourselves with oil; you will tread grapes but not drink the wine.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/5-11.htm">Amos 5:11</a></span><br />Therefore, because you trample on the poor and exact from him a tax of grain, you will never live in the stone houses you have built; you will never drink the wine from the lush vineyards you have planted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/26-16.htm">Leviticus 26:16</a></span><br />then this is what I will do to you: I will bring upon you sudden terror, wasting disease, and fever that will destroy your sight and drain your life. You will sow your seed in vain, because your enemies will eat it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/107-34.htm">Psalm 107:34</a></span><br />and fruitful land into fields of salt, because of the wickedness of its dwellers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-16.htm">Matthew 7:16-20</a></span><br />By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? / Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. / A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/6-7.htm">Galatians 6:7-8</a></span><br />Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. / The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/3-12.htm">James 3:12</a></span><br />My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-43.htm">Luke 6:43-45</a></span><br />No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. / For each tree is known by its own fruit. Indeed, figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor grapes from brambles. / The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-24.htm">Matthew 13:24-30</a></span><br />Jesus put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. / But while everyone was asleep, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and slipped away. / When the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the weeds also appeared. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/14-9.htm">2 Kings 14:9</a></b></br> And Jehoash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that <i>was</i> in Lebanon sent to the cedar that <i>was</i> in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that <i>was</i> in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/3-17.htm">Genesis 3:17,18</a></b></br> And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed <i>is</i> the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat <i>of</i> it all the days of thy life; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/7-23.htm">Isaiah 7:23</a></b></br> And it shall come to pass in that day, <i>that</i> every place shall be, where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silverlings, it shall <i>even</i> be for briers and thorns.</p><p class="hdg">cockle.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/72-20.htm">Psalm 72:20</a></b></br> The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_chronicles/27-5.htm">Barley</a> <a href="/isaiah/32-13.htm">Briars</a> <a href="/judges/8-16.htm">Briers</a> <a href="/job/31-37.htm">Ended</a> <a href="/psalms/38-5.htm">Evil-Smelling</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-15.htm">Finished</a> <a href="/job/30-24.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/job/16-16.htm">Foul</a> <a href="/job/31-10.htm">Grain</a> <a href="/job/31-16.htm">Grow</a> <a href="/job/3-24.htm">Instead</a> <a href="/job/31-37.htm">Job</a> <a href="/revelation/16-2.htm">Noisome</a> <a href="/job/12-8.htm">Plants</a> <a href="/genesis/3-18.htm">Thistles</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/25-18.htm">Thorn</a> <a href="/job/30-7.htm">Thorns</a> <a href="/job/15-3.htm">Useless</a> <a href="/matthew/13-41.htm">Weed</a> <a href="/matthew/13-40.htm">Weeds</a> <a href="/ezra/7-22.htm">Wheat</a> <a href="/job/31-37.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/28-25.htm">Barley</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-6.htm">Briars</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-19.htm">Briers</a> <a href="/job/39-3.htm">Ended</a> <a href="/psalms/38-5.htm">Evil-Smelling</a> <a href="/job/32-4.htm">Finished</a> <a href="/job/33-5.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/psalms/38-5.htm">Foul</a> <a href="/job/39-12.htm">Grain</a> <a href="/job/33-19.htm">Grow</a> <a href="/job/36-16.htm">Instead</a> <a href="/job/32-1.htm">Job</a> <a href="/psalms/38-5.htm">Noisome</a> <a href="/job/40-21.htm">Plants</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-31.htm">Thistles</a> <a href="/job/41-2.htm">Thorn</a> <a href="/psalms/58-9.htm">Thorns</a> <a href="/psalms/31-12.htm">Useless</a> <a href="/jonah/2-5.htm">Weed</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-31.htm">Weeds</a> <a href="/psalms/81-16.htm">Wheat</a> <a href="/job/32-4.htm">Words</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>then let briers grow instead of wheat</b><br>This phrase reflects an ancient agricultural context where wheat was a staple crop, essential for sustenance and economic stability. Briers, or thorns, symbolize desolation and fruitlessness, often used in Scripture to represent judgment or curse (<a href="/genesis/3-18.htm">Genesis 3:18</a>). Job is invoking a curse upon himself if he has been unjust, indicating his confidence in his integrity. This imagery is consistent with the covenantal blessings and curses found in <a href="/deuteronomy/28.htm">Deuteronomy 28</a>, where obedience leads to agricultural abundance, and disobedience results in barrenness.<p><b>and stinkweed instead of barley.”</b><br>Stinkweed, or noxious weeds, represents worthlessness and ruin. Barley, like wheat, was a significant crop in ancient Israel, used for food and offerings (<a href="/leviticus/2-14.htm">Leviticus 2:14</a>). The replacement of barley with stinkweed underscores a reversal of fortune and prosperity, a theme seen in prophetic literature where disobedience leads to desolation (<a href="/isaiah/5-6.htm">Isaiah 5:6</a>). Job's use of this imagery emphasizes his plea for vindication, as he calls upon God to judge him if he has been deceitful.<p><b>Thus conclude the words of Job.</b><br>This marks the end of Job's final defense, a pivotal moment in the narrative. Job's speeches are characterized by a profound exploration of suffering and righteousness. His concluding words reflect a legal setting, akin to a formal oath, where he rests his case before God. This conclusion sets the stage for the subsequent divine response, highlighting the transition from human reasoning to divine revelation. The structure of Job's discourse mirrors the wisdom literature's emphasis on the limits of human understanding and the sovereignty of God, themes that resonate throughout the book.<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/b/briers_and_stinkweed.htm">Briers and Stinkweed</a></b><br>These are symbolic representations of undesirable outcomes. Briers and stinkweed are weeds that choke out good crops, representing the consequences of sin or unfaithfulness.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/w/wheat_and_barley.htm">Wheat and Barley</a></b><br>These are valuable crops in ancient agrarian societies, symbolizing prosperity, blessing, and the fruits of righteousness.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_land_of_uz.htm">The Land of Uz</a></b><br>The setting of the Book of Job, traditionally considered to be in the region of Edom or northern Arabia.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/job's_friends.htm">Job's Friends</a></b><br>Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who visit Job to offer counsel but often misinterpret his suffering as a result of sin.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/i/integrity_in_adversity.htm">Integrity in Adversity</a></b><br>Job's declaration of innocence and his willingness to accept consequences if found guilty teach us the importance of maintaining integrity even when facing trials.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_sin.htm">Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>The imagery of briers and stinkweed serves as a reminder that sin leads to undesirable outcomes, much like weeds overtaking a field.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/self-examination.htm">Self-Examination</a></b><br>Job's self-reflection encourages believers to examine their own lives for areas where they may be sowing seeds that lead to spiritual "weeds."<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_justice.htm">Trust in God's Justice</a></b><br>Despite his suffering, Job trusts in God's ultimate justice, reminding us to have faith in God's righteous judgment.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_end_of_human_wisdom.htm">The End of Human Wisdom</a></b><br>The phrase "The words of Job are ended" signifies the limits of human understanding and the need to rely on God's wisdom.<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/how_do_job_31_curses_compare_to_nt_mercy.htm">How do Job's self-imposed curses in Job 31 compare with New Testament passages emphasizing mercy and forgiveness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_can_job_claim_purity_in_job_31_1-4.htm">In Job 31:1-4, how can Job claim such purity given other scriptures teach no one is entirely sinless?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/isaiah_40_31__how_do_skeptics_view_it.htm">Isaiah 40:31: How can a skeptic reconcile the promise of 'renewed strength' for believers with the suffering and trials seen throughout history?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_job_31_5-8_oppose_human_fallibility.htm">Does Job's assertion of moral completeness in Job 31:5-8 conflict with the broader biblical theme of universal human fallibility?</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 40.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockles instead of barley</span>. Then let me be appropriately punished by finding the land, whereof I have wrongfully become possessed, produce nothing but thistles (or thorns) and noxious weeds, such as cockles (Authorized Version) or hemlock (Professor Lee). <span class="cmt_word">The words of Job are ended</span>. This may be regarded either as Job's own conclusion of his long speech, or as a remark of the author's. On the whole, the former view is to be preferred. <p> <p> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/31-40.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">then let briers</span><br /><span class="heb">ח֗וֹחַ</span> <span class="translit">(ḥō·w·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2336.htm">Strong's 2336: </a> </span><span class="str2">Briar, bramble, hook, ring, fetter</span><br /><br /><span class="word">grow</span><br /><span class="heb">יֵ֥צֵא</span> <span class="translit">(yê·ṣê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, bring, out, direct and proxim</span><br /><br /><span class="word">instead of</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּ֤חַת</span> <span class="translit">(ta·ḥaṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8478.htm">Strong's 8478: </a> </span><span class="str2">The bottom, below, in lieu of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wheat</span><br /><span class="heb">חִטָּ֨ה ׀</span> <span class="translit">(ḥiṭ·ṭāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2406.htm">Strong's 2406: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wheat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and stinkweed</span><br /><span class="heb">בָאְשָׁ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(ḇā·’ə·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_890.htm">Strong's 890: </a> </span><span class="str2">Stink-weed, any other noxious, useless plant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">instead of</span><br /><span class="heb">וְתַֽחַת־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ṯa·ḥaṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8478.htm">Strong's 8478: </a> </span><span class="str2">The bottom, below, in lieu of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">barley.”</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׂעֹרָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(śə·‘ō·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8184.htm">Strong's 8184: </a> </span><span class="str2">Barley</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Thus conclude</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּ֝֗מּוּ</span> <span class="translit">(tam·mū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8552.htm">Strong's 8552: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be complete or finished</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the words</span><br /><span class="heb">דִּבְרֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(diḇ·rê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Job.</span><br /><span class="heb">אִיּֽוֹב׃</span> <span class="translit">(’î·yō·wḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_347.htm">Strong's 347: </a> </span><span class="str2">Job -- a patriarch</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/31-40.htm">Job 31:40 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/31-40.htm">Job 31:40 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/31-40.htm">Job 31:40 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/31-40.htm">Job 31:40 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/31-40.htm">Job 31:40 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/31-40.htm">Job 31:40 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/31-40.htm">Job 31:40 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/31-40.htm">Job 31:40 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/31-40.htm">Job 31:40 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/31-40.htm">Job 31:40 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/31-40.htm">OT Poetry: Job 31:40 Let briars grow instead of wheat (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/31-39.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 31:39"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 31:39" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/32-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 32:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 32:1" /></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>