Job 31:11
For this is an heinous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges.
Original Language Analysis
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 6
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הִ֥וא
H1931
הִ֥וא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
2 of 6
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וְ֝ה֗יּא
H1931
וְ֝ה֗יּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
4 of 6
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
Cross References
Leviticus 20:10And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.Job 31:28This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.Genesis 38:24And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.
Historical Context
Mosaic law prescribed death for adultery (Leviticus 20:10, Deuteronomy 22:22). Unlike surrounding cultures where adultery was primarily a property offense against the husband, Israel viewed it as covenant violation against God. The judges' involvement shows adultery wasn't private morality but public justice. Job's era likely predates Sinai, yet he demonstrates the same moral awareness, suggesting natural law knowledge of sexual boundaries.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing adultery as 'zimmah' (premeditated wickedness) challenge modern views of sexual sin as mere weakness?
- What does Job's understanding of accountability to human judges teach about the church's role in addressing sexual immorality?
- How does viewing sexual sin as cosmic covenant-breaking rather than private choice transform our approach to purity?
Analysis & Commentary
This is an heinous crime (כִּי־הִיא זִמָּה, ki-hi zimmah)—the word zimmah denotes premeditated lewdness or a wicked scheme, not mere impulse. It's used in Leviticus 18-20 for sexual abominations worthy of death. An iniquity to be punished by the judges (avon peliylim, עָוֺן פְּלִילִים) identifies adultery as a civil crime requiring judicial punishment, not just private matter.
Job recognizes three dimensions of adultery:
This comprehensive understanding anticipates Jesus's teaching that lust itself is adultery (Matthew 5:28), showing the heart-level nature of sexual sin. The judges (peliylim) were Israel's covenant enforcers, maintaining community holiness.