Job 31:28
This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.
Original Language Analysis
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
1 of 8
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
ה֭וּא
H1931
ה֭וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
2 of 8
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
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 8
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כִחַ֖שְׁתִּי
for I should have denied
H3584
כִחַ֖שְׁתִּי
for I should have denied
Strong's:
H3584
Word #:
6 of 8
to be untrue, in word (to lie, feign, disown) or deed (to disappoint, fail, cringe)
Cross References
Job 31:11For this is an heinous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges.Joshua 24:27And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern law codes prescribed death for covenant violations. Israel's law mandated death for idolatry (Deuteronomy 17:2-7). Job's recognition that idolatry deserves judicial punishment reflects covenant theology predating Mosaic law. His phrase 'God that is above' (El mima'al) emphasizes divine transcendence—God is above creation, not part of it. This monotheistic confession distinguished Israel from polytheistic neighbors.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing idolatry as 'denying God' deepen our understanding of its seriousness?
- What does Job's theological reasoning teach about the relationship between worship and truth claims about God?
- How should understanding that idolatry is a judicial offense affect how we view subtle forms of divided loyalty?
Analysis & Commentary
This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge (גַּם־הוּא עָוֺן פְּלִילִי, gam-hu avon pelili)—avon (עָוֺן) means iniquity or guilt, while pelili (פְּלִילִי) refers to judicial punishment by a judge. Job recognizes that idolatry is a legal offense deserving punishment. For I should have denied the God that is above (כִּי־כִחַשְׁתִּי לָאֵל מִמָּעַל, ki-kichashti la'El mima'al)—the verb kachash (כָּחַשׁ) means to deny, lie about, or disown. Job understands that worshiping creation denies the Creator.
This theological principle appears throughout Scripture: idolatry is covenant violation, spiritual adultery against Yahweh (Exodus 20:3-5, Jeremiah 3:20). From a Reformed perspective, Job's reasoning demonstrates proper covenant theology. Idolatry isn't merely one sin among many but denial of God's exclusive right to worship. The first commandment grounds all others. To worship anything besides God is to declare He isn't supreme. Job recognizes that astral worship would constitute judicial guilt requiring divine punishment—the very thing his friends wrongly claimed explained his suffering.