Job 31:7

Authorized King James Version

If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אִ֥ם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#2
תִּטֶּ֣ה
hath turned out
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
#3
אַשֻּׁרִי֮
If my step
a step
#4
מִנִּ֪י
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#5
הַ֫דָּ֥רֶךְ
of the way
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
#6
וְאַחַ֣ר
after
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#7
עֵ֭ינַי
mine eyes
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#8
הָלַ֣ךְ
walked
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#9
לִבִּ֑י
and mine heart
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
#10
וּ֝בְכַפַּ֗י
to mine hands
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-
#11
דָּ֣בַק
hath cleaved
properly, to impinge, i.e., cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit
#12
מֻאֽוּם׃
and if any blot
a blemish (physically or morally)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection