Job 31:5
If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit;
Original Language Analysis
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 8
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
הָלַ֥כְתִּי
If I have walked
H1980
הָלַ֥כְתִּי
If I have walked
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
2 of 8
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
עִם
H5973
עִם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
3 of 8
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
שָׁ֑וְא
with vanity
H7723
שָׁ֑וְא
with vanity
Strong's:
H7723
Word #:
4 of 8
evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, object
וַתַּ֖חַשׁ
hath hasted
H2363
וַתַּ֖חַשׁ
hath hasted
Strong's:
H2363
Word #:
5 of 8
to hurry; figuratively, to be eager with excitement or enjoyment
Historical Context
Commercial fraud was a constant temptation in ancient marketplaces where weights and measures could be manipulated (Leviticus 19:35-36, Proverbs 11:1). 'Vanity' and 'deceit' often appeared together in wisdom literature as twin vices of dishonest business practices. Job's self-examination begins with economic integrity, appropriate for a wealthy merchant-patriarch whose dealings involved many transactions.
Questions for Reflection
- How does 'walking with vanity' differ from occasional lapses into deception?
- What does the foot 'hastening' to deceit reveal about the heart's eagerness for dishonest gain?
- In what areas of life might you be 'walking with vanity' without recognizing the emptiness?
Analysis & Commentary
If I have walked with vanity (אִם־הָלַכְתִּי עִם־שָׁוְא, im-halachti im-shav)—Halach (walked) with shav (vanity, emptiness, falsehood) describes a lifestyle characterized by worthless pursuits or deceptive dealings. Shav appears in the Third Commandment: 'Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain [lashav]' (Exodus 20:7). Job claims his conduct hasn't been empty or false.
Or if my foot hath hasted to deceit (וַתַּחַשׁ עַל־מִרְמָה רַגְלִי, vatachash al-mirmah ragli)—Chashash (hasted, hurried) with raglי (my foot) to mirmah (deceit, fraud, treachery) pictures eager rushing toward dishonest gain. Proverbs 6:18 condemns 'feet that be swift in running to mischief.' Job's foot hasn't hastened to fraud—the opposite of the righteous whose 'steps hold fast to thy paths' (Psalm 17:5).