Job 31:37
New International Version
I would give him an account of my every step; I would present it to him as to a ruler.)—

New Living Translation
For I would tell him exactly what I have done. I would come before him like a prince.

English Standard Version
I would give him an account of all my steps; like a prince I would approach him.

Berean Standard Bible
I would give account of all my steps; I would approach Him like a prince.)—

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

New King James Version
I would declare to Him the number of my steps; Like a prince I would approach Him.

New American Standard Bible
“I would declare to Him the number of my steps; Like a prince, I would approach Him.

NASB 1995
“I would declare to Him the number of my steps; Like a prince I would approach Him.

NASB 1977
“I would declare to Him the number of my steps; Like a prince I would approach Him.

Legacy Standard Bible
I would declare to Him the number of my steps; Like a prince I would approach Him—

Amplified Bible
“I would count out to Him the number of my steps [with every detail of my life], Approaching His presence as if I were a prince.

Christian Standard Bible
I would give him an account of all my steps; I would approach him like a prince.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I would give Him an account of all my steps; I would approach Him like a prince.

American Standard Version
I would declare unto him the number of my steps; As a prince would I go near unto him.

Contemporary English Version
And with my head held high, I would tell him everything I have ever done.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I would tell him the number of my steps and approach him like a prince.

Good News Translation
I would tell God everything I have done, and hold my head high in his presence.

International Standard Version
I'll give an account for every step I've taken; I'll approach him confidently like a Commander-in-Chief."

Majority Standard Bible
I would give account of all my steps; I would approach Him like a prince.)?

NET Bible
I would give him an accounting of my steps; like a prince I would approach him.

New Heart English Bible
I would declare to him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near to him.

Webster's Bible Translation
I would declare to him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near to him.

World English Bible
I would declare to him the number of my steps. I would go near to him like a prince.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The number of my steps I tell Him, "" As a leader I approach Him.

Young's Literal Translation
The number of my steps I tell Him, As a leader I approach Him.

Smith's Literal Translation
The number of my steps I shall announce to him: as a leader I shall draw near to him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
At every step of mine I would pronounce it, and offer it as to a prince.

Catholic Public Domain Version
With each of my steps, I would pronounce and offer it, as if to a prince.

New American Bible
Of all my steps I should give him an account; like a prince I should present myself before him.

New Revised Standard Version
I would give him an account of all my steps; like a prince I would approach him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I would declare to him the number of my steps; as a prince I would go near to him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
I shall show him the number of my steps, and like a Ruler I would declare it
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
I would declare unto him the number of my steps; As a prince would I go near unto him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And if I did not read it and return it, having taken nothing from the debtor:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Job's Final Appeal
36Surely I would carry it on my shoulder and wear it like a crown. 37I would give account of all my steps; I would approach Him like a prince.)— 38if my land cries out against me and its furrows weep together,…

Cross References
Psalm 18:20-24
The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness; He has repaid me according to the cleanness of my hands. / For I have kept the ways of the LORD and have not wickedly departed from my God. / For all His ordinances are before me; I have not disregarded His statutes. ...

Psalm 26:1-2
Of David. Vindicate me, O LORD! For I have walked with integrity; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. / Test me, O LORD, and try me; examine my heart and mind.

Psalm 7:3-5
O LORD my God, if I have done this, if injustice is on my hands, / if I have rewarded my ally with evil, if I have plundered my foe without cause, / then may my enemy pursue me and overtake me; may he trample me to the ground and leave my honor in the dust. Selah

Psalm 44:21
would not God have discovered, since He knows the secrets of the heart?

Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. / See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting.

Proverbs 20:7
The righteous man walks with integrity; blessed are his children after him.

Isaiah 38:3
saying, “Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before You faithfully and with wholehearted devotion; I have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

2 Kings 20:3
“Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before You faithfully and with wholehearted devotion; I have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

Genesis 5:24
Enoch walked with God, and then he was no more, because God had taken him away.

Genesis 6:9
This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God.

1 Samuel 12:3-5
Here I am. Bear witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes? Tell me, and I will restore it to you.” / “You have not cheated us or oppressed us,” they replied, “nor have you taken anything from the hand of man.” / Samuel said to them, “The LORD is a witness against you, and His anointed is a witness today, that you have not found anything in my hand.” “He is a witness,” they replied.

Acts 24:16
In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.

2 Corinthians 1:12
For this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in relation to you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God—not in worldly wisdom, but in the grace of God.

2 Corinthians 4:2
Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

1 John 3:19-21
And by this we will know that we belong to the truth, and will assure our hearts in His presence: / Even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and He knows all things. / Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God,


Treasury of Scripture

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

declare

Job 9:3
If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.

Job 13:15
Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

Job 14:16
For now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin?

as a

Genesis 32:28
And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

Ephesians 3:12
In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Hebrews 4:15,16
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin…

Jump to Previous
Account Approach Clear Declare Ended Job Leader Prince Step Steps Words
Jump to Next
Account Approach Clear Declare Ended Job Leader Prince Step Steps Words
Job 31
1. Job makes a solemn protestation of his integrity in several duties














I would give account of all my steps;
In this phrase, Job expresses his willingness to present a detailed account of his life before God. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of legal proceedings where individuals would present their case before a judge. Job's confidence in his integrity is evident, as he believes he can justify his actions. Biblically, this mirrors the idea of living a life that is transparent before God, as seen in Psalm 139:23-24, where the psalmist invites God to search and know his heart. The concept of giving an account is also echoed in the New Testament, such as in Romans 14:12, where believers are reminded that each person will give an account of themselves to God.

I would approach Him like a prince.
Job's assertion that he would approach God "like a prince" indicates his sense of dignity and confidence in his righteousness. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, a prince would have had the right to enter the presence of a king with a certain level of respect and authority. This imagery suggests that Job feels justified in his actions and believes he has the right to stand before God without fear. Theologically, this can be connected to the New Testament teaching of believers having boldness to approach God through Christ, as seen in Hebrews 4:16, where believers are encouraged to approach the throne of grace with confidence. This phrase also foreshadows the believer's position in Christ, who is described as the "Prince of Peace" in Isaiah 9:6, and through whom believers are made co-heirs with Christ, as stated in Romans 8:17.

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. God
The Almighty Creator, whom Job desires to approach and present his case before, confident in his integrity.

3. Job's Friends
Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who visit Job to comfort him but end up accusing him of wrongdoing, believing his suffering is a result of sin.

4. The Heavenly Court
The setting at the beginning of the Book of Job where God and Satan discuss Job's faithfulness.

5. The Land of Uz
The region where Job lived, often associated with the ancient Near East.
Teaching Points
Integrity Before God
Job's willingness to give an account of his steps highlights the importance of living a life of integrity. Believers are encouraged to live transparently before God, knowing He sees all.

Confidence in Righteousness
Job's desire to approach God "like a prince" demonstrates the confidence that comes from a clear conscience. Christians are called to live in such a way that they can confidently approach God.

The Role of Suffering
Job's account reminds us that suffering is not always a result of personal sin. It challenges us to trust God's wisdom and sovereignty even when we do not understand our circumstances.

The Importance of Self-Examination
Job's readiness to account for his actions encourages believers to regularly examine their lives and seek God's guidance in aligning with His will.

Approaching God with Boldness
The New Testament teaches that through Christ, believers can approach God with confidence, echoing Job's desire to present his case before God.(37) I would declare--i.e., "I would readily give an account of all my actions, and meet him with alacrity and perfect confidence." Others suppose the meaning to be, "I would meet him as I would meet a prince, with the utmost deference and respect, not at all as an enemy, but as one worthy of all honour and regard." The actual meaning is uncertain. On the other hand, he has been spoken of by his friends: as a fool (Job 5:2), by Eliphaz; as a man full of words, a liar, and a mocker (Job 11:2-3), by Zophar; as perverse, wicked, and iniquitous (Job 11:12; Job 11:14); a blasphemer and a hypocrite, by Eliphaz (Job 15:4-5; Job 15:13; Job 15:16; Job 15:34, &c.); as wicked, a robber, and ignorant of God, by Bildad (Job 18:5; Job 18:14); as wicked and a hypocrite, by Zophar (Job 20:5); as extortionate and oppressive (Job 31:15; Job 31:19, &c.); as a tyrant and an impious man, by Eliphaz (Job 22:5; Job 22:9; Job 22:13; Job 22:17, &c.). . . . Verse 37. - I would declare unto him the number of my steps; i.e. I would conceal nothing. I would willingly divulge every act of my life. I would make full and complete answer to the indictment in every particular. As a prince would I go near unto him. There should be no timidity or cringing on my part. I would face my accuser boldly, and bear myself as a prince in his presence.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
I would give
אַגִּידֶ֑נּוּ (’ag·gî·ḏen·nū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

account
מִסְפַּ֣ר (mis·par)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4557: A number, definite, indefinite, narration

of all my steps;
צְ֭עָדַי (ṣə·‘ā·ḏay)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6806: A pace, regular step

I would approach Him
אֲקָרֲבֶֽנּוּ׃ (’ă·qā·ră·ḇen·nū)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7126: To come near, approach

like
כְּמוֹ־ (kə·mōw-)
Preposition
Strong's 3644: Like, as, when

a prince.
נָ֝גִ֗יד (nā·ḡîḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5057: A commander, civil, military, religious, honorable themes


Links
Job 31:37 NIV
Job 31:37 NLT
Job 31:37 ESV
Job 31:37 NASB
Job 31:37 KJV

Job 31:37 BibleApps.com
Job 31:37 Biblia Paralela
Job 31:37 Chinese Bible
Job 31:37 French Bible
Job 31:37 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Job 31:37 I would declare to him the number (Jb)
Job 31:36
Top of Page
Top of Page