Job 31:23
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.
American King James Version (AKJV)
For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.
American Standard Version (ASV)
For calamity from God is a terror to me, And by reason of his majesty I can do nothing.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
For the fear of God kept me back, and because of his power I might not do such things.
Webster's Revision
For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.
World English Bible
For calamity from God is a terror to me. Because his majesty, I can do nothing.
English Revised Version (ERV)
For calamity from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his excellency I could do nothing.
Clarke's Job 31:23 Bible Commentary
Destruction from God was a terror - I have ever been preserved from outward sin, through the fear of God's judgments; I knew his eye was constantly upon me, and Icould
"Never in my Judge's eye my Judge's anger dare."
Barnes's Job 31:23 Bible Commentary
For destruction from God was a terror to me - The destruction which God would bring upon one who was guilty of the crime here specified, awed and restrained me. He was deterred from this crime of oppressing the fatherless by the fear of God. He could have escaped the judgment of people. He had power and influence enough not to dread the penalty of human law. He could have done it in such a way as not to have been arraigned before any earthly tribunal, but he remembered that the eye of God was upon him, and that he was the avenger of the fatherless and the widow.
And by reason of his highness - On account of his majesty, exaltation, glory.
I could not endure - אוכל לא lo''ûkôl - I could not; that is, I could not do it. I was so much awed by his majesty; I had such a veneration for him, that I could not be guilty of such an offence.
Wesley's Job 31:23 Bible Commentary
31:23 For - I stood in awe of God and of his judgments.I could not - I knew myself unable either to oppose his power, or to bear his wrath. Even good men have need to restrain themselves from sin, with the fear of Destruction from God.Even when salvation from God is a comfort to us, yet destruction from God should be a terror to us. Adam in innocency was awed by a threatning.