King James Version

What Does Job 31:39 Mean?

Job 31:39 in the King James Version says “If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life: fruits: Heb. str...” — study this verse from Job chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life: fruits: Heb. strength the owners: Heb. the soul of the owners thereof to expire, or, breathe out”

Job 31:39 · KJV

Strength

Context

37

I would declare unto him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near unto him.

38

If my land cry against me, or that the furrows likewise thereof complain; complain: Heb. weep

39

If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life: fruits: Heb. strength the owners: Heb. the soul of the owners thereof to expire, or, breathe out

40

Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended. cockle: or, noisome weeds

Read Job 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money (אִם־כֹּחָהּ אָכַלְתִּי בְלִי־כָסֶף, 'im-kochah 'akhalti veli-khasef)—koach literally means strength or produce; eating the land's strength without kesef (silver, payment) means consuming resources without just compensation. This addresses theft or exploitation of land and labor. Or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life (וְנֶפֶשׁ בְּעָלֶיהָ הִפָּחְתִּי, venefesh be'aleha hipachti)—nefesh means soul, life, or person; pachach means to breathe out, expire, or cause to lose life. Ba'al is owner or possessor.

Job denies two forms of land-related injustice: (1) consuming produce without paying laborers, and (2) causing landowners to forfeit their lives or livelihoods through oppression, fraud, or violence. This echoes laws protecting laborers (Leviticus 19:13, Deuteronomy 24:14-15) and prohibiting coveting neighbors' property (Exodus 20:17). James 5:4 condemns withholding workers' wages. Job's oath demonstrates that economic justice is central to biblical righteousness—faith without fair labor practices is dead.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The ancient world frequently saw powerful individuals seize land from the vulnerable (see 1 Kings 21, Ahab and Naboth's vineyard; Isaiah 5:8, Micah 2:2). Job's wealth could have been built through such oppression, but he swears otherwise. This oath addresses systemic economic injustice, not merely personal morality. The patriarchal period lacked formal labor laws, making personal integrity the only protection for workers and small landholders.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do modern economic systems allow consumption of resources 'without money'—without just compensation to laborers or creation?
  2. In what ways might business practices 'cause owners to lose their life'—destroying livelihoods through exploitation?
  3. What does Job's standard of economic justice require of Christian employers, consumers, and investors today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
אִם1 of 8
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

כֹּ֭חָהּ2 of 8

“the fruits”

H3581

vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)

אָכַ֣לְתִּי3 of 8

“If I have eaten”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

בְלִי4 of 8
H1097

properly, failure, i.e., nothing or destruction; usually (with preposition) without, not yet, because not, as long as, etc

כָ֑סֶף5 of 8

“thereof without money”

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

וְנֶ֖פֶשׁ6 of 8

“their life”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

בְּעָלֶ֣יהָ7 of 8

“or have caused the owners”

H1167

a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)

הִפָּֽחְתִּי׃8 of 8

“thereof to lose”

H5301

to puff, in various applications (literally, to inflate, blow hard, scatter, kindle, expire; figuratively, to disesteem)

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 31:39 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 31:39 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 21:19James 5:4Ezekiel 22:12-13Genesis 4:12Ezekiel 22:6Proverbs 1:19

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