Job 31:10
New International Version
then may my wife grind another man’s grain, and may other men sleep with her.

New Living Translation
then let my wife serve another man; let other men sleep with her.

English Standard Version
then let my wife grind for another, and let others bow down on her.

Berean Standard Bible
then may my own wife grind grain for another, and may other men sleep with her.

King James Bible
Then let my wife grind unto another, and let others bow down upon her.

New King James Version
Then let my wife grind for another, And let others bow down over her.

New American Standard Bible
May my wife grind grain for another, And let others kneel down over her.

NASB 1995
May my wife grind for another, And let others kneel down over her.

NASB 1977
May my wife grind for another, And let others kneel down over her.

Legacy Standard Bible
May my wife grind for another, And let others kneel down over her.

Amplified Bible
Let my wife grind [meal, like a bond slave] for another [man], And let others kneel down over her.

Christian Standard Bible
let my own wife grind grain for another man, and let other men sleep with her.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
let my own wife grind grain for another man, and let other men sleep with her.

American Standard Version
Then let my wife grind unto another, And let others bow down upon her.

Contemporary English Version
then let some stranger steal my wife from me.

English Revised Version
Then let my wife grind unto another, and let others bow down upon her.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[then] let my wife grind for another [man], and let other [men] kneel over her.

Good News Translation
then let my wife cook another man's food and sleep in another man's bed.

International Standard Version
then let my wife cook for another person and may someone else sleep with her,

NET Bible
then let my wife turn the millstone for another man, and may other men have sexual relations with her.

New Heart English Bible
then let my wife grind for another, and let others sleep with her.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then let my wife grind to another, and let others bow down upon her.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
then may my own wife grind grain for another, and may other men sleep with her.

World English Bible
then let my wife grind for another, and let others sleep with her.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Let my wife grind to another, "" And let others bend over her.

Young's Literal Translation
Grind to another let my wife, And over her let others bend.

Smith's Literal Translation
My wife shall grind for another, and others shall bow down upon her.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Let my wife be the harlot of another, and let other men lie with her.

Catholic Public Domain Version
then let my wife be the harlot of another, and let other men lean over her.

New American Bible
Then may my wife grind for another, and may others kneel over her!

New Revised Standard Version
then let my wife grind for another, and let other men kneel over her.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then let my wife grind for another, and let her bake bread at another man's place,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Unless my wife has ground meal for others and she has baked in another place
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then let my wife grind unto another, And let others bow down upon her.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
then let my wife also please another, and let my children be brought low.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Job's Final Appeal
9If my heart has been enticed by my neighbor’s wife, or I have lurked at his door, 10then may my own wife grind grain for another, and may other men sleep with her. 11For that would be a heinous crime, an iniquity to be judged.…

Cross References
Proverbs 5:15-20
Drink water from your own cistern, and running water from your own well. / Why should your springs flow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? / Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. ...

Proverbs 6:32-35
He who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself. / Wounds and dishonor will befall him, and his reproach will never be wiped away. / For jealousy enrages a husband, and he will show no mercy in the day of vengeance. ...

Proverbs 7:21-23
With her great persuasion she entices him; with her flattering lips she lures him. / He follows her on impulse, like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding into a trap, / until an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare—not knowing it will cost him his life.

Exodus 20:14
You shall not commit adultery.

Leviticus 20:10
If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress must surely be put to death.

Deuteronomy 22:22
If a man is found lying with another man’s wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel.

Matthew 5:27-28
You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ / But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Matthew 19:9
Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

Mark 10:11-12
So He told them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. / And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”

Luke 16:18
Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Romans 7:2-3
For instance, a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. / So then, if she is joined to another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 7:10-11
To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. / But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.

Hebrews 13:4
Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.

James 4:4
You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.


Treasury of Scripture

Then let my wife grind to another, and let others bow down on her.

grind

Exodus 11:5
And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.

Isaiah 47:2
Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers.

Matthew 24:41
Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

and let

2 Samuel 12:11
Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.

Jeremiah 8:10
Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.

Hosea 4:13,14
They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow thereof is good: therefore your daughters shall commit whoredom, and your spouses shall commit adultery…

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Job 31
1. Job makes a solemn protestation of his integrity in several duties














then may my own wife grind grain for another
In this phrase, Job is expressing a self-imposed curse if he has been unfaithful or unjust. Grinding grain was traditionally a task for women in ancient Near Eastern cultures, symbolizing domestic duties and fidelity. Job's statement reflects the cultural understanding of marriage and the severe consequences of infidelity. The imagery of his wife grinding grain for another man implies a reversal of roles and a loss of honor and status. This reflects the seriousness with which marital fidelity was regarded in biblical times, as seen in Proverbs 5:15-20, which emphasizes the sanctity of marriage.

and may other men sleep with her
This part of the verse continues the self-imposed curse, highlighting the gravity of adultery. In the cultural and historical context of the ancient Near East, adultery was a serious offense, often punishable by severe penalties. Job's willingness to accept such a consequence underscores his integrity and commitment to righteousness. The mention of other men sleeping with his wife serves as a stark illustration of the shame and dishonor associated with unfaithfulness. This reflects the biblical principle found in Exodus 20:14, "You shall not commit adultery," and underscores the importance of faithfulness in marriage. The imagery also foreshadows the New Testament teachings on purity and the sanctity of marriage, as seen in Ephesians 5:25-33, where marriage is likened to the relationship between Christ and the Church.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
A man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, known for his immense suffering and unwavering faith.

2. Job's Wife
Although not named in this verse, she is indirectly referenced. Earlier in the book, she is known for her challenging response to Job's suffering.

3. Other Men
Represents the potential consequence of Job's hypothetical unfaithfulness, highlighting the cultural and personal implications of adultery.

4. The Setting
The Book of Job is set in the land of Uz, a place of ancient wisdom and prosperity, which becomes a backdrop for Job's trials and discourses.

5. The Event
Job is making a solemn declaration of his integrity, using a conditional curse to emphasize his faithfulness and righteousness.
Teaching Points
Integrity in Relationships
Job's declaration highlights the importance of faithfulness in marriage. Believers are called to uphold their commitments and honor their spouses.

The Weight of Words
Job uses a conditional curse to emphasize his sincerity. This teaches us to be mindful of our words and the promises we make.

Consequences of Sin
The hypothetical scenario Job presents serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of sin, particularly in the context of marital fidelity.

Heart Posture
Job's statement reflects a heart committed to righteousness. Believers should strive for purity not just in actions but in thoughts and intentions.

Cultural Context
Understanding the cultural implications of Job's statement helps us appreciate the gravity of his commitment to integrity.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Job 31:10?

2. How does Job 31:10 reflect Job's commitment to marital faithfulness and integrity?

3. What does Job 31:10 teach about the consequences of adultery in God's eyes?

4. How can Job 31:10 guide us in maintaining purity in relationships today?

5. Connect Job 31:10 with Proverbs 6:32 on the consequences of adultery.

6. How can we apply Job's example of integrity from Job 31:10 in our lives?

7. What does Job 31:10 imply about the consequences of infidelity in marriage?

8. How does Job 31:10 reflect the cultural norms of ancient Israel?

9. What is the significance of Job's oath in Job 31:10?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 31?

11. What are your job responsibilities?

12. What careers are suitable for Christians to pursue?

13. Psalm 39:4 - If God determines our lifespan, how can we reconcile that with modern medicine's ability to extend life?

14. What foods are mentioned in the Bible?
What Does Job 31:10 Mean
Then may my own wife grind grain for another

Job voices a self-curse to underscore his innocence. In the household economy of his day, grinding grain was the daily task of a wife for her own family (cf. Exodus 11:5; Matthew 24:41). By saying, “may my own wife grind grain for another,” Job is declaring, “If I have been unfaithful, let my most intimate earthly relationship be taken from me; let her labor serve a stranger, not me.”

• This mirrors the covenant consequences outlined in Deuteronomy 28:30, where unfaithfulness to God leads to another man possessing one’s wife.

• Job’s statement follows his earlier resolve: “I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze with desire at a virgin?” (Job 31:1). He is asserting that he has honored that covenant.

• Behind the words lies a conviction about justice: God would be right to strip him of marital blessing if he had violated another man’s marriage (Proverbs 6:27-29). Job welcomes such justice because he is certain he does not deserve it.


And may other men sleep with her

The second clause intensifies the first. Job is willing to accept the most humiliating and heartbreaking loss imaginable if he is guilty of adultery—his wife becoming another man’s sexual partner.

• This echoes Nathan’s judgment on David: “I am going to raise up evil against you… your wives will be given to your neighbor” (2 Samuel 12:11), a direct consequence for David’s adultery with Bathsheba. Job cites a comparable penalty to certify his integrity.

• The clause also recalls God’s moral order: sexual union is reserved for marriage (Genesis 2:24; Hebrews 13:4). Job acknowledges that breaking this order warrants severe recompense.

• By inviting such a penalty, Job publicly affirms the sanctity of marriage and shows that he fears the Lord who “examines the righteous” (Psalm 11:5). He is not bargaining with God but testifying that his conscience is clear before the Almighty who sees all (Job 31:4).


summary

Job 31:10 is a solemn, self-imposed curse. Job declares that if he has violated another man’s marriage, God may justly allow his own wife to be taken and sexually exploited. These vivid images—grinding grain for another household and lying with another man—portray the total collapse of marital blessing that adultery deserves. Job’s readiness to accept such consequences underscores both the seriousness of marital fidelity and his unwavering confidence that he has remained pure before God.

(10) Then let my wife grind--i.e., perform all menial offices, like a slave.

Verse 10. - Then let my wife grind unto another; i.e. "let the wife of my bosom be brought so low as to be compelled to do the servile work of grinding the corn in the household of another woman." The condition of the female slaves who ground the corn was regarded as the lowest point in domestic slavery (see Exodus 11:5; Isaiah 47:2). And let others bow down upon her. Let them, i.e., claim the master's right, and reduce her to the extremest degradation There would be a just nemesis in this punishment of an adulterer (see 2 Samuel 12:11).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
then may my own wife
אִשְׁתִּ֑י (’iš·tî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

grind grain
תִּטְחַ֣ן (tiṭ·ḥan)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2912: To grind meal, to be a, concubine

for another,
לְאַחֵ֣ר (lə·’a·ḥêr)
Preposition-l | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 312: Hinder, next, other

and may other men
אֲחֵרִֽין׃ (’ă·ḥê·rîn)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 312: Hinder, next, other

sleep
יִכְרְע֥וּן (yiḵ·rə·‘ūn)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun
Strong's 3766: To bend the knee, to sink, to prostrate

with her.
וְ֝עָלֶ֗יהָ (wə·‘ā·le·hā)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against


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OT Poetry: Job 31:10 Then let my wife grind for another (Jb)
Job 31:9
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