The Meaning of Job 31:36 Explained

Job 31:36

KJV: Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a crown to me.

YLT: If not -- on my shoulder I take it up, I bind it a crown on myself.

Darby: Would I not take it upon my shoulder? I would bind it on to me as a crown;

ASV: Surely I would carry it upon my shoulder; I would bind it unto me as a crown:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Surely I would take  it upon my shoulder,  [and] bind  it [as] a crown  to me. 

What does Job 31:36 Mean?

Context Summary

Job 31:1-40 - The Clean Life
Job had specially guarded against impurity, for its heritage is one of calamity and disaster. He is sure that even if he were weighed by God Himself there would be no iniquity discovered in him. He even goes so far as to invoke the most awful results if he has sinned against the seventh commandment. It is well for us if we are able with similar sincerity to appeal to the verdict of God and of our own heart. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to beget in us purity and separateness from sin, that we may walk with unsullied garments.
Job also protests the even-handedness of his dealings with his servants, alleging the principle which underlies the whole Christian teaching on the point, that we all have been made by the same Creator. He insists on his benevolence to the widow and the fatherless. He is careful to show that he had not failed in doing all the good that was within his reach. Alas, how few of us can say as much! How many such occasions cross our path every day, which we heedlessly let pass!
With this appeal Job goes into the presence of God, and asks for a reply. In the strong gospel light we are too deeply convicted of sin to dare to do this, and must rely upon the merits of Christ. In these alone can we approach the uncreated light. [source]

Chapter Summary: Job 31

1  Job makes a solemn protestation of his integrity in several duties

What do the individual words in Job 31:36 mean?

Surely not on my shoulder I would carry it [And] bind it [like] a crown on me
אִם־ לֹ֣א עַל־ שִׁ֭כְמִי אֶשָּׂאֶ֑נּוּ אֶֽעֶנְדֶ֖נּוּ עֲטָר֣וֹת לִֽי

אִם־  Surely 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: אִם  
Sense: if.
שִׁ֭כְמִי  my  shoulder 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: שְׁכֶם  
Sense: shoulder, back.
אֶשָּׂאֶ֑נּוּ  I  would  carry  it 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, first person common singular, third person masculine singular
Root: נָשָׂא  
Sense: to lift, bear up, carry, take.
אֶֽעֶנְדֶ֖נּוּ  [And]  bind  it 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, first person common singular, third person masculine singular
Root: עָנַד  
Sense: to bind, tie up, bind around or upon.
עֲטָר֣וֹת  [like]  a  crown 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural
Root: עֲטָרָה  
Sense: crown, wreath.
לִֽי  on  me 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular

What are the major concepts related to Job 31:36?

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