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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 31:29 If I have rejoiced in my enemy's ruin, or exulted when evil befell him--</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/31-29.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/18_Job_31_29.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 31:29 - Job's Final Appeal" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If I have rejoiced in my enemy's ruin, or exulted when evil befell him--" /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad9.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/31-28.htm" title="Job 31:28">◄</a> Job 31:29 <a href="/job/31-30.htm" title="Job 31:30">►</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 />&#8220If I have rejoiced at my enemy&#8217s misfortune or gloated over the trouble that came to him—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/31.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Have I ever rejoiced when disaster struck my enemies, or become excited when harm came their way?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/31.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“If I have rejoiced at the ruin of him who hated me, or exulted when evil overtook him<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/31.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />If I have rejoiced in my enemy’s ruin, or exulted when evil befell him—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/31.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him:<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 rejoiced at the destruction of him who hated me, Or lifted myself up when evil found him<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/31.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Have I rejoiced at the misfortune of my enemy, Or become excited when evil found him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/31.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Have I rejoiced at the extinction of my enemy, Or exulted when evil befell him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/31.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Have I rejoiced at the extinction of my enemy, Or exulted when evil befell him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/31.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“If I have been glad at the upheaval of the one who hated me, Or exulted when evil found him—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/31.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Have I rejoiced at the destruction of the enemy [who hated me], Or exulted [in malicious triumph] when evil overtook him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/31.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Have I rejoiced over my enemy’s distress, or become excited when trouble came his way?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/31.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Have I rejoiced over my enemy&#8217s distress, or become excited when trouble came his way? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/31.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, Or lifted up myself when evil found him<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/31.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I have never laughed when my enemies were struck by disaster. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/31.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/31.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"If I enjoyed the ruin of my enemy or celebrated when harm came to him<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/31.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I have never been glad when my enemies suffered, or pleased when they met with disaster; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/31.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Have I rejoiced in the destruction of those who hate me, or have I been happy that evil caught up with him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/31.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />If I have rejoiced in my enemy?s ruin, or exulted when evil befell him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/31.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />If I have rejoiced over the misfortune of my enemy or exulted because calamity found him--<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 rejoiced at the destruction of him who hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him;<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 rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or have lifted up myself when evil found him:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/31.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him who hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him <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 rejoice at the ruin of my hater, "" And stirred up myself when evil found him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/31.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> If I rejoice at the ruin of my hater, And stirred up myself when evil found him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/31.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />If I shall rejoice in the destruction of him hating me, and I exalted when evil found him:<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 been glad at the downfall of him that hated me, and have rejoiced that evil had found him. <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 been glad at the ruin of him who hated me and have exulted that evil found him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/31.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Had I rejoiced at the destruction of my enemy or exulted when evil came upon him, <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 rejoiced at the ruin of those who hated me, or exulted when evil overtook them—<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 rejoiced at the destruction of him who hated me, or exulted myself when misfortune befell him;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/31.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And if I am gladdened in the ruin of my hater or if I have celebrated when evil happened to him<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 rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, Or exulted when evil found him--<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/31.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And if too I was glad at the fall of mine enemies, and mine heart said, Aha!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/31-29.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=4753" 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">28</span>this would also be an iniquity to be judged, for I would have denied God on high. <span class="reftext">29</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/8055.htm" title="8055: ’eś·maḥ (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- Rejoice, be glad. A primitive root; probably to brighten up, i.e. be blithe or gleesome.">I have rejoiced</a> <a href="/hebrew/8130.htm" title="8130: mə·śan·’î (V-Piel-Prtcpl-msc:: 1cs) -- To hate. A primitive root; to hate.">in my enemy’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/6365.htm" title="6365: bə·p̄îḏ (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Ruin, disaster. From an unused root probably meaning to pierce; misfortune.">ruin,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5782.htm" title="5782: wə·hiṯ·‘ō·rar·tî (Conj-w:: V-Hitpael-ConjPerf-1cs) -- To rouse oneself, awake. A primitive root; to wake.">or exulted</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">when</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: rā‘ (Adj-ms) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">evil</a> <a href="/hebrew/4672.htm" title="4672: mə·ṣā·’ōw (V-Qal-Perf-3ms:: 3ms) -- To attain to, find. ">befell him—</a> </span><span class="reftext">30</span>I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking for his life with a curse—…<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="/proverbs/24-17.htm">Proverbs 24:17-18</a></span><br />Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles, / or the LORD will see and disapprove, and turn His wrath away from him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-44.htm">Matthew 5:44</a></span><br />But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-14.htm">Romans 12:14</a></span><br />Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/17-5.htm">Proverbs 17:5</a></span><br />He who mocks the poor insults their Maker; whoever gloats over calamity will not go unpunished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-27.htm">Luke 6:27-28</a></span><br />But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, / bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/13-6.htm">1 Corinthians 13:6</a></span><br />Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/23-4.htm">Exodus 23:4-5</a></span><br />If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him. / If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-9.htm">1 Peter 3:9</a></span><br />Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/19-18.htm">Leviticus 19:18</a></span><br />Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-43.htm">Matthew 5:43</a></span><br />You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-20.htm">Romans 12:20-21</a></span><br />On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” / Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/25-21.htm">Proverbs 25:21-22</a></span><br />If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. / For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/23-34.htm">Luke 23:34</a></span><br />Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-15.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:15</a></span><br />Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/6-21.htm">2 Kings 6:21-23</a></span><br />And when the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?” / “Do not kill them,” he replied. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and then return to their master.” / So the king prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. And the Aramean raiders did not come into the land of Israel again.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">If I rejoice at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/1-12.htm">2 Samuel 1:12</a></b></br> And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/4-10.htm">2 Samuel 4:10,11</a></b></br> When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who <i>thought</i> that I would have given him a reward for his tidings: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/16-5.htm">2 Samuel 16:5-8</a></b></br> And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name <i>was</i> Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_samuel/19-7.htm">Befell</a> <a href="/job/30-24.htm">Cries</a> <a href="/job/31-23.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/job/27-7.htm">Enemy</a> <a href="/job/6-23.htm">Enemy's</a> <a href="/job/30-26.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-30.htm">Extinction</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-1.htm">Exulted</a> <a href="/job/31-25.htm">Found</a> <a href="/job/31-25.htm">Glad</a> <a href="/job/31-25.htm">Gloated</a> <a href="/job/16-9.htm">Hated</a> <a href="/job/27-7.htm">Hater</a> <a href="/job/29-13.htm">Joy</a> <a href="/job/31-21.htm">Lifted</a> <a href="/job/31-3.htm">Misfortune</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/10-6.htm">Overtook</a> <a href="/job/31-25.htm">Rejoice</a> <a href="/job/31-25.htm">Rejoiced</a> <a href="/job/31-3.htm">Ruin</a> <a href="/job/31-3.htm">Trouble</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/mark/5-16.htm">Befell</a> <a href="/job/31-38.htm">Cries</a> <a href="/job/33-18.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/job/33-10.htm">Enemy</a> <a href="/psalms/78-61.htm">Enemy's</a> <a href="/job/31-33.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-6.htm">Extinction</a> <a href="/jeremiah/15-17.htm">Exulted</a> <a href="/job/32-3.htm">Found</a> <a href="/psalms/5-11.htm">Glad</a> <a href="/obadiah/1-12.htm">Gloated</a> <a href="/psalms/5-5.htm">Hated</a> <a href="/job/34-17.htm">Hater</a> <a href="/job/33-26.htm">Joy</a> <a href="/job/35-5.htm">Lifted</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-21.htm">Misfortune</a> <a href="/psalms/18-37.htm">Overtook</a> <a href="/psalms/2-11.htm">Rejoice</a> <a href="/psalms/35-15.htm">Rejoiced</a> <a href="/psalms/9-6.htm">Ruin</a> <a href="/job/33-19.htm">Trouble</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 rejoiced in my enemy’s ruin</b><br>This phrase reflects a self-examination by Job, who is asserting his integrity and righteousness. In the cultural context of the Ancient Near East, personal vendettas and rejoicing over an enemy's downfall were common. However, Job's statement aligns with the biblical principle of loving one's enemies, as later emphasized by Jesus in <a href="/matthew/5-44.htm">Matthew 5:44</a>. The idea of not rejoicing over an enemy's misfortune is also echoed in <a href="/proverbs/24-17.htm">Proverbs 24:17</a>, which advises against gloating when an enemy falls. This reflects a heart attitude that values compassion and forgiveness over vengeance.<p><b>or exulted when evil befell him—</b><br>Job continues to emphasize his moral integrity by stating that he has not taken pleasure in the misfortunes of his adversaries. This attitude is consistent with the teachings found throughout Scripture, which advocate for empathy and kindness even towards those who oppose us. The historical context of Job's time would have seen such restraint as countercultural, as retribution was often expected. This anticipates the New Testament teachings of Jesus, who exemplified forgiveness and love for enemies, as seen in <a href="/luke/23-34.htm">Luke 23:34</a> when He asked for forgiveness for those who crucified Him. Job's stance here can be seen as a type of Christ, foreshadowing the perfect love and forgiveness that Jesus would later embody.<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/j/job's_friends.htm">Job's Friends</a></b><br>Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who visit Job to comfort him but end up accusing him of wrongdoing, suggesting his suffering is due to sin.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/job's_enemies.htm">Job's Enemies</a></b><br>While not specifically named, Job refers to those who might oppose or wish harm upon him, highlighting his integrity in not rejoicing over their misfortune.<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, a region whose exact location is uncertain but is traditionally considered to be in the area of Edom or northern Arabia.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The ultimate judge and sovereign being, whose justice and wisdom are central themes in the Book of Job.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/i/integrity_in_adversity.htm">Integrity in Adversity</a></b><br>Job's refusal to rejoice over his enemy's ruin demonstrates a high standard of integrity. Believers are called to maintain righteousness even when wronged.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/love_for_enemies.htm">Love for Enemies</a></b><br>The Christian call to love and pray for enemies is a radical departure from natural human inclinations. Job exemplifies this by not exulting in their misfortune.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_divine_justice.htm">Trust in Divine Justice</a></b><br>Job's attitude reflects a trust in God's justice rather than seeking personal vengeance. Believers are encouraged to trust God to right wrongs.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_the_heart.htm">Guarding the Heart</a></b><br>Rejoicing in another's misfortune can corrupt the heart. Christians are urged to guard their hearts against such attitudes, fostering compassion instead.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reflecting_christ's_character.htm">Reflecting Christ's Character</a></b><br>By not rejoicing over an enemy's downfall, believers reflect the character of Christ, who showed love and forgiveness even to those who opposed Him.<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/main_themes_of_bible's_books.htm">What are the main themes of the Bible's books?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_the_bible_view_evil.htm">How does the Bible explain evil and suffering?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_job_21_29-31_admire_the_wicked.htm">In Job 21:29-31, why does the community seem to uphold or admire the wicked instead of condemning them, and how does this align with other biblical portrayals of evildoers?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_wicked_prosper_without_downfall.htm">Proverbs 24:16: How can the wicked be said to 'fall' when many evil rulers throughout history prospered without clear downfall?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/job/31.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(29) <span class= "bld">If I rejoiced at the destruction.</span>--He now proceeds to the realm of the wishes and thoughts, and is, therefore, far more thorough and searching with his own case than his friends had been.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/31.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 29.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me</span>. "If at any time I was malevolent, if I wished evil to others, and rejoiced when evil came upon them, being (as the Greeks expressed it) <span class="greek">ἐπιχαιρέκακος</span> - if I so acted even in the case of my enemy - then," etc. The apodosis is wanting, but may be supplied by any suitable imprecation (see vers. 8, 10, 22, 40). <span class="cmt_word">Or lifted up myself</span> - <span class="accented">i.e.</span> was puffed up and exalted - <span class="cmt_word">when evil found him</span>. In the old world men generally regarded themselves as fully entitled to exult at the downfall of an enemy, and to triumph over him with words of contumely and scorn (camp. <a href="/judges/5-19.htm">Judges 5:19-31</a>; <a href="/psalms/18-37.htm">Psalm 18:37-42</a>; <a href="/isaiah/10-8.htm">Isaiah 10:8</a>-1.4, etc.). There appears to be but one other passage in the Old Testament, besides the present, in which the contrary disposition is shown. This is <a href="/proverbs/17-5.htm">Proverbs 17:5</a>, where the writer declares that "he who is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/31-29.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 rejoiced</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶ֭שְׂמַח</span> <span class="translit">(’eś·maḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8055.htm">Strong's 8055: </a> </span><span class="str2">To brighten up, be, blithe, gleesome</span><br /><br /><span class="word">at my enemy’s</span><br /><span class="heb">מְשַׂנְאִ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(mə·śan·’î)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8130.htm">Strong's 8130: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">ruin,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּפִ֣יד</span> <span class="translit">(bə·p̄îḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6365.htm">Strong's 6365: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ruin, disaster</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or exulted</span><br /><span class="heb">וְ֝הִתְעֹרַ֗רְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hiṯ·‘ō·rar·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5782.htm">Strong's 5782: </a> </span><span class="str2">To rouse oneself, awake</span><br /><br /><span class="word">when</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">evil</span><br /><span class="heb">רָֽע׃</span> <span class="translit">(rā‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bad, evil</span><br /><br /><span class="word">befell him—</span><br /><span class="heb">מְצָ֥אוֹ</span> <span class="translit">(mə·ṣā·’ōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4672.htm">Strong's 4672: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/31-29.htm">Job 31:29 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/31-29.htm">Job 31:29 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/31-29.htm">Job 31:29 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/31-29.htm">Job 31:29 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/31-29.htm">Job 31:29 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/31-29.htm">Job 31:29 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/31-29.htm">Job 31:29 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/31-29.htm">Job 31:29 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/31-29.htm">Job 31:29 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/31-29.htm">Job 31:29 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/31-29.htm">OT Poetry: Job 31:29 If I have rejoiced at the destruction (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/31-28.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 31:28"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 31:28" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/31-30.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 31:30"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 31:30" /></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>