King James Version

What Does Job 31:27 Mean?

Job 31:27 in the King James Version says “And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand: my mouth: Heb. my hand hath kissed my mouth” — study this verse from Job chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand: my mouth: Heb. my hand hath kissed my mouth”

Job 31:27 · KJV

Context

25

If I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much; gotten: Heb. found much

26

If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness; sun: Heb. light in: Heb. bright

27

And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand: my mouth: Heb. my hand hath kissed my mouth

28

This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.

29

If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him:

Read Job 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
My heart hath been secretly enticed (וַיִּפְתְּ בַּסֵּתֶר לִבִּי, vayift baseter libi)—the verb patah (פָּתָה) means to be deceived, seduced, or enticed. The phrase baseter (בַּסֵּתֶר, secretly) indicates hidden, inward sin—the heart drawn away from God in ways others couldn't see. My mouth hath kissed my hand describes a gesture of worship toward celestial bodies, blowing a kiss as an act of reverence. The Hebrew nashak leyadi (נָשַׁק לְיָדִי) was an ancient worship practice.

This verse continues verse 26's denial of astral worship. Job affirms that not only did he avoid overt idolatry, but his heart wasn't secretly drawn to worship the sun or moon. This anticipates Jesus's teaching that sin begins in the heart (Matthew 5:28, 15:19). External conformity means nothing if the heart harbors idolatry. From a Reformed perspective, this demonstrates the depth of Job's covenant faithfulness—his worship of Yahweh was exclusive, both publicly and privately. True religion governs the heart, not merely behavior.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Kissing the hand toward celestial bodies was a common ancient Near Eastern worship practice, found in Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and Canaanite religions. Israel's law specifically prohibited this (Deuteronomy 4:19, 17:3). The practice survived into Israel's later history (2 Kings 23:5). Job's denial demonstrates exclusive Yahweh worship in a polytheistic context. His righteousness wasn't merely avoiding external acts but guarding his heart from secret enticement.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Job's concern with secret heart-enticement challenge our focus on external religious performance?
  2. What modern forms of idolatry secretly entice our hearts away from exclusive devotion to God?
  3. How do we cultivate the kind of inward purity that Job demonstrates here?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
וַיִּ֣פְתְּ1 of 6

“enticed”

H6601

to open, i.e., be (causatively, make) roomy; usually figuratively (in a mental or moral sense) to be (causatively, make) simple or (in a sinister way)

בַּסֵּ֣תֶר2 of 6

“hath been secretly”

H5643

a cover (in a good or a bad, a literal or a figurative sense)

לִבִּ֑י3 of 6

“And my heart”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

וַתִּשַּׁ֖ק4 of 6

“hath kissed”

H5401

to kiss, literally or figuratively (touch); also (as a mode of attachment), to equip with weapons

יָדִ֣י5 of 6

“my hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

לְפִֽי׃6 of 6

“or my mouth”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Job. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Job 31:27 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Job 31:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 13:6Deuteronomy 11:16Psalms 2:12Hosea 13:21 Kings 19:18Isaiah 44:20

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