Job 31:31
New International Version
if those of my household have never said, ‘Who has not been filled with Job’s meat?’—

New Living Translation
“My servants have never said, ‘He let others go hungry.’

English Standard Version
if the men of my tent have not said, ‘Who is there that has not been filled with his meat?’

Berean Standard Bible
if the men of my house have not said, ‘Who is there who has not had his fill?’—

King James Bible
If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied.

New King James Version
If the men of my tent have not said, ‘Who is there that has not been satisfied with his meat?’

New American Standard Bible
“Have the people of my tent not said, ‘Who can find one who has not been satisfied with his meat’?

NASB 1995
“Have the men of my tent not said, ‘Who can find one who has not been satisfied with his meat ‘?

NASB 1977
“Have the men of my tent not said, ‘Who can find one who has not been satisfied with his meat’?

Legacy Standard Bible
If the men of my tent have not said, ‘Who can find one who has not been satisfied with his meat’—

Amplified Bible
“I assure you, the men of my tent have said, ‘Who can find one [in need] who has not been satisfied with his meat’?

Christian Standard Bible
Haven’t the members of my household said, “Who is there who has not had enough to eat at Job’s table? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Haven’t the members of my household said, “Who is there who has not had enough to eat at Job’s table?”

American Standard Version
If the men of my tent have not said, Who can find one that hath not been filled with his meat?

Contemporary English Version
No one ever went hungry at my house,

English Revised Version
If the men of my tent said not, Who can find one that hath not been satisfied with his flesh?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"If the people who were in my tent had said, 'We wish we had never filled [our stomachs] with his food'....

Good News Translation
All those who work for me know that I have always welcomed strangers.

International Standard Version
People in my household have said, 'We cannot find anyone who has not been satisfied with his meat,' haven't they?

Majority Standard Bible
if the men of my house have not said, ‘Who is there who has not had his fill?’—

NET Bible
if the members of my household have never said, 'If only there were someone who has not been satisfied from Job's meat!'--

New Heart English Bible
if the men of my tent have not said, 'Who can find one who has not been filled with his meat?'

Webster's Bible Translation
If the men of my tabernacle have not said, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied.

World English Bible
if the men of my tent have not said, ‘Who can find one who has not been filled with his meat?’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
If not, say, O men of my tent: O that we had of his flesh, we are not satisfied.

Young's Literal Translation
If not -- say ye, O men of my tent, 'O that we had of his flesh, we are not satisfied.'

Smith's Literal Translation
If the men of my tent said not, Who will give from his flesh? We shall not be satisfied.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If the men of my tabernacle have not said: Who will give us of his flesh that we may be filled?

Catholic Public Domain Version
if the men around my tabernacle have not said: “He might give us some of his food, so that we will be filled,”

New American Bible
Had not the men of my tent exclaimed, “Who has not been filled with his meat!”

New Revised Standard Version
if those of my tent ever said, ‘O that we might be sated with his flesh!’ —
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
My friends said, Oh this man would give us even of his own flesh! but we are not satisfied,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
But my friends said: ‘but who gave us of his flesh and we are not satisfied!’
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
If the men of my tent said not: 'Who can find one that hath not been satisfied with his meat?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And if too my handmaids have often said, Oh that we might be satisfied with his flesh; (whereas I was very kind:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Job's Final Appeal
30I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking for his life with a curse— 31if the men of my house have not said, ‘Who is there who has not had his fill?’— 32but no stranger had to lodge on the street, for my door has been open to the traveler—…

Cross References
Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Romans 12:20
On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Proverbs 25:21-22
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. / For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

Luke 6:27-28
But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, / bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Exodus 23:4-5
If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him. / If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.

Proverbs 24:17-18
Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles, / or the LORD will see and disapprove, and turn His wrath away from him.

1 Thessalonians 5:15
Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.

Matthew 5:43
You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’

Romans 12:14
Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.

1 Corinthians 4:12-13
We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; / when we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.

Luke 23:34
Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.

1 John 3:17
If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?

Proverbs 17:5
He who mocks the poor insults their Maker; whoever gloats over calamity will not go unpunished.

2 Kings 6:22
“Do not kill them,” he replied. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and then return to their master.”


Treasury of Scripture

If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied.

the men

1 Samuel 24:4,10
And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily…

1 Samuel 26:8
Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.

2 Samuel 16:9,10
Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head…

Oh

Job 19:22
Why do ye persecute me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh?

Psalm 27:2
When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

Psalm 35:25
Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up.

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














if the men of my house
This phrase refers to the servants and household members under Job's care and authority. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a household was not just a family unit but included servants and workers who were part of the extended household. Job's reference to "the men of my house" underscores his role as a patriarch and leader, responsible for the well-being and moral guidance of those under his roof. The Hebrew word for "men" here can also imply "servants" or "workers," indicating that Job's integrity and generosity were recognized by those who worked for him.

have not said
This phrase suggests a testimony or witness. In the context of Job's defense of his righteousness, it implies that the people closest to him, who would know his character best, have not accused him of wrongdoing. The Hebrew root for "said" (אָמַר, 'amar) often conveys not just speaking but declaring or affirming something as true. Job is confident that his household would affirm his generosity and fairness.

‘Who is there who has not had his fill
This rhetorical question highlights Job's generosity and hospitality. In the ancient world, sharing food was a sign of fellowship and kindness. The phrase "had his fill" suggests abundance and satisfaction, indicating that Job provided more than enough for those around him. The Hebrew root for "fill" (שָׂבַע, saba') conveys the idea of being satisfied or satiated, often used in the context of eating and drinking. Job's provision was not just adequate but abundant.

of Job’s meat?’
The mention of "Job’s meat" refers to the food and sustenance that Job provided. In the cultural and historical context, meat was a valuable commodity, often reserved for special occasions or the wealthy. Job's ability to provide meat signifies his wealth and his willingness to share it generously. The Hebrew word for "meat" (בָּשָׂר, basar) can also mean "flesh" and is often used in the context of sacrificial offerings, which adds a layer of spiritual significance to Job's provision. It suggests that Job's generosity was not just material but also a reflection of his piety and righteousness.

(31) Oh that we had of his flesh!--We should never be satisfied therewith. (Comp. the similar expression, Job 19:22.)

Verse 31. - If the men of my tent said not, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied. A very obscure passage, but probably to be connected with the following verse, in which Job boasts of his hospitality. Translate, If the men of my tent did not say, Who can find a man that has not been satisfied with his meat? The apodosis is wanting, as in ver. 28.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
if
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

the men
מְתֵ֣י (mə·ṯê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4962: An adult, a man

of my house
אָהֳלִ֑י (’ā·ho·lî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 168: A tent

have not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

said,
אָ֭מְרוּ (’ā·mə·rū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘Who
מִֽי־ (mî-)
Interjection
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

is there
יִתֵּ֥ן (yit·tên)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

who has not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

had his fill?’—
נִשְׂבָּֽע׃ (niś·bā‘)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7646: To be sated, satisfied or surfeited


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OT Poetry: Job 31:31 If the men of my tent have (Jb)
Job 31:30
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