King James Version

What Does Job 9:31 Mean?

Job 9:31 in the King James Version says “Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me. abhor: or, make me to be abhorred” — study this verse from Job chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me. abhor: or, make me to be abhorred”

Job 9:31 · KJV

Context

29

If I be wicked, why then labour I in vain?

30

If I wash myself with snow water , and make my hands never so clean;

31

Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me. abhor: or, make me to be abhorred

32

For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment.

33

Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both. any: Heb. one that should argue daysman: or, umpire

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch (אָז בַּשַּׁחַת תִּטְבְּלֵנִי, az bashachat titb'leni)—despite Job's hypothetical maximum purification (v. 30), God would immediately defile him. The verb 'plunge' (taval, טָבַל) means to dip, immerse, or plunge into—the same word used for baptism. 'Ditch' (shachat, שַׁחַת) means pit, corruption, or cesspool—a place of sewage and filth, perhaps a dunghill. The image is shocking: immediately after ritual purification, God would dunk Job in sewage.

And mine own clothes shall abhor me (וְתִעֲבוּנִי שַׂלְמוֹתָי, v'ti'avuni salmotai) intensifies the degradation. The verb 'abhor' (ta'av, תָּעַב) means to detest, loathe, or find abhorrent. Even Job's own garments would recoil from him in revulsion. This personification emphasizes total defilement—so filthy even his clothes reject him. Job's imagery exposes the impossibility of self-justification before God. Isaiah later captures this: 'all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags' (Isaiah 64:6). No human effort can achieve the purity God requires—only Christ's imputed righteousness suffices (Philippians 3:9).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern culture prized ritual purity, requiring washing before approaching deity. Job's shocking image—God deliberately defiling him after cleansing—reverses expected patterns where gods accepted pure worshipers. This theological crisis forced wrestling with deeper questions: How can mortals be clean before God (Job 25:4)? The book prepares for the gospel answer: God Himself provides the righteousness humans cannot achieve.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Job's vivid imagery of God defiling him despite purification efforts illustrate the doctrine of total depravity?
  2. What comfort do believers find in knowing Christ provides the righteousness we cannot achieve?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 5 words
אָ֭ז1 of 5

“Yet”

H227

at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore

בַּשַּׁ֣חַת2 of 5

“me in the ditch”

H7845

a pit (especially as a trap); figuratively, destruction

תִּטְבְּלֵ֑נִי3 of 5

“shalt thou plunge”

H2881

to dip, to immerse

וְ֝תִֽעֲב֗וּנִי4 of 5

“shall abhor”

H8581

to loathe, i.e., (morally) detest

שַׂלְמוֹתָֽי׃5 of 5

“and mine own clothes”

H8008

a dress

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 9:31 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 9:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 64:6Philippians 3:8-9Job 15:6Isaiah 59:6Job 9:20

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