Job 31:33
If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom:
Original Language Analysis
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 7
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
כִּסִּ֣יתִי
If I covered
H3680
כִּסִּ֣יתִי
If I covered
Strong's:
H3680
Word #:
2 of 7
properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)
כְאָדָ֣ם
as Adam
H121
כְאָדָ֣ם
as Adam
Strong's:
H121
Word #:
3 of 7
adam the name of the first man, also of a place in palestine
Cross References
Proverbs 28:13He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.Hosea 6:7But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me.Acts 5:8And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.Genesis 3:12And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.Joshua 7:11Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.
Historical Context
The reference to Adam demonstrates that Job knew the Genesis account. Ancient Near Eastern cultures had various creation and fall narratives, but Job refers to biblical revelation. His understanding that covering sin leads to judgment reflects covenant theology. The verse shows that Job's righteousness included honest self-assessment and confession of actual sin, not the false sins his friends invented.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Job's reference to Adam's covering of sin challenge our tendency to hide moral failures?
- What is the difference between Job's claim of innocence regarding specific charges versus claiming sinless perfection?
- How does transparent living before God and others demonstrate genuine repentance versus self-protective concealment?
Analysis & Commentary
If I covered my transgressions as Adam (אִם־כִּסִּיתִי כְאָדָם פְּשָׁעָי, im-kisiti ke'adam pesha'ai)—kasah (כָּסָה) means to cover or conceal, ke'adam (כְאָדָם) means 'as Adam' or 'like mankind,' and pesha (פֶּשַׁע) means transgression or rebellion. By hiding mine iniquity in my bosom (לִטְמוֹן בְּחֻבִּי עֲוֺנִי, litmon bechubbi avoni)—taman (טָמַן) means to hide or bury, and avon (עָוֺן) means iniquity or guilt. Job denies covering sin like Adam who hid after disobeying (Genesis 3:7-8).
This allusion to humanity's first sin reveals Job's theological sophistication. Adam's covering (fig leaves) and hiding demonstrated awareness of guilt and fear of exposure. Job claims he didn't conceal sin but lived transparently before God and man. Proverbs 28:13 teaches that concealing sin prevents prosperity, but confession finds mercy. From a Reformed perspective, Job's transparency contrasts with humanity's universal tendency toward self-justification and concealment. His claim anticipates the gospel where confession precedes forgiveness (1 John 1:9). Job's integrity included honesty about failings, not pretending to be sinless. His defense isn't claiming perfection but denying the specific sins his friends alleged.