Job 31:30
Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul.
Original Language Analysis
וְלֹא
H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 7
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נָתַ֣תִּי
Neither have I suffered
H5414
נָתַ֣תִּי
Neither have I suffered
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
2 of 7
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לַחֲטֹ֣א
to sin
H2398
לַחֲטֹ֣א
to sin
Strong's:
H2398
Word #:
3 of 7
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
חִכִּ֑י
my mouth
H2441
חִכִּ֑י
my mouth
Strong's:
H2441
Word #:
4 of 7
properly, the palate or inside of the mouth; hence, the mouth itself (as the organ of speech, taste and kissing)
Cross References
Romans 12:14Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.1 Peter 3:9Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.Matthew 5:22But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern cultures practiced ritual cursing of enemies. Curse tablets and incantations sought divine judgment on opponents. Job's refusal to invoke curses on enemies demonstrated restraint contrary to cultural practice. His ethic reflected biblical teaching that vengeance belongs to God (Deuteronomy 32:35, Romans 12:19). Blessing rather than cursing enemies appears in both Testaments as divine standard.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Job's control of his tongue regarding enemies challenge our tendency toward bitter or vengeful speech?
- What does the progression from verse 29 (not rejoicing) to verse 30 (not cursing) teach about comprehensive righteousness?
- How can we apply Job's standard when we feel justly wronged and want to express our anger?
Analysis & Commentary
Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin (וְלֹא־נָתַתִּי אֶת־חִכִּי לַחֲטֹא, velo-natati et-chiki lachato)—natan (נָתַן) means to give or allow, chek (חֵךְ) literally means palate but represents speech, and chata (חָטָא) means to sin. By wishing a curse to his soul (לִשְׁאֹל בְּאָלָה נַפְשׁוֹ, lish'ol be'alah nafsho)—sha'al (שָׁאַל) means to ask or wish, alah (אָלָה) means curse, and nephesh (נֶפֶשׁ) means soul or life. Job didn't merely avoid rejoicing at enemies' downfall but actively refused to curse them.
This demonstrates mastery over the tongue—notoriously difficult to control (James 3:2-10). Job guarded not only his heart from schadenfreude but his speech from cursing enemies. Jesus taught blessing those who curse you (Luke 6:28). Paul commanded blessing persecutors, not cursing them (Romans 12:14). Job lived this standard before Christ made it explicit New Covenant teaching. From a Reformed perspective, this shows the continuity of God's moral law—the same ethical standard applies across redemptive history because it reflects God's unchanging character.