Job 31:10

  Job 31:10

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

a. ASV: Then let my wife grind unto another, And let others bow down upon her. [Thomas Nelson & Sons first published the American Standard Version in 1901. This translation of the Bible is in the public domain.]

b. YLT: Grind to another let my wife, And over her let others bend.  [The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.]

c. Classic Amplified:  Then let my wife grind [meal, like a bondslave] for another, and let others bow down upon her.  [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

d. NLT: Then let my wife belong to another man; let other men sleep with her.  [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]

e. Job, Jewish Publication Society of America Text: Then let my wife grind unto another. And let others bow down upon her.  [Soncino Books of the Bible, Job, 1946; Jewish Publication Society of America Text; Commentary, Rabbi Dr. Victor E. Reichert]

1). Rabbinic Commentary: ‘Be slave to another, the daily grinding of corn at the hand mill being the task of the lowest slave-girl’ (Driver). The Rabbis interpreted it as euphemism for intercourse. In fact, both senses may be implied, because the female slave was often the concubine of her master, and the curse means, Let my wife be slave (first clause) and the concubine  (second clause) of others (Davidson). [Soncino Books of the Bible, Job, 1946; Jewish Publication Society of America Text; Commentary, Rabbi Dr. Victor E. Reichert]

f. Stone Edition Torah/Prophets/Writings:  Then may my wife grind for another man, and may strangers kneel over her.  [The Artscroll Series/Stone Edition, THE TANACH--STUDENT SIZE EDITION Copyright 1996, 1998 by Mesorah Publications, Ltd.]

1). Rabbinic Commentary; Stone Edition Torah/Prophets/Writings: Job says that if he had ever engaged in immoral conduct, then he would deserve to have his wife be disloyal to him.

1. “Then let my wife grind unto another, and let others bow down upon her.”

a. [Then let my] wife [Strong: 802 ʼishshâh, ish-shaw'; feminine of H376 or H582; irregular plural, נָשִׁים nâshîym;(used in the same wide sense as H582) a woman:—(adulter) ess, each, every, female, × many, none, one, together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English.] 

b. grind [Strong: 2912 ṭâchan, taw-khan'; a primitive root; to grind meal; hence, to be a concubine (that being their employment):—grind(-er).]

c. [unto] another [Strong: 312 ʼachêr, akh-air'; from H309; properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc.:—(an-) other man, following, next, strange.]

d. [and let] others [Strong: 312 ʼachêr, akh-air'; from H309; properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc.:—(an-) other man, following, next, strange.]

e. bow down [Strong: 3766 kâraʻ, kaw-rah'; a primitive root; to bend the knee; by implication, to sink, to prostrate:—bow (down, self), bring down (low), cast down, couch, fall, feeble, kneeling, sink, smite (stoop) down, subdue, × very.]

f. upon [her] [Strong: 5921 ʻal, al; properly, the same as H5920 used as a preposition (in the singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications:—above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, × as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, × both and, by (reason of), × had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, × with.]

1). Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible: Then let my wife grind unto another,.... Which some understand literally, of her being put to the worst of drudgery and slavery, to work at a mill, and grind corn for the service of a stranger, and be exposed to the company of the meanest of persons, and to their insults and abuses; as we find such as were taken captives and made prisoners by an enemy were put unto, as Samson, Judges 16:21; and it may be observed, that to grind in a mill was also the work of women, Exodus 11:5; as it was in early times; Homer (c) speaks of it as in times before him; but others take the words in a figurative sense, as if he imprecated that she lie with another man, and be defiled by him, as the Targum, Aben Ezra, and others (d); see Isaiah 47:1; and in like manner the following clause: and let others bow down upon her; both which phrases are euphemisms, or clean and decent expressions, signifying what otherwise is not to be named; the Scriptures hereby directing, as to avoid unchaste thoughts, inclinations, and desires, and impure actions, so obscene words and filthy talking, as becometh saints: but there is some difficulty in Job's imprecating or wishing such a thing might befall his wife; it could not be lawful, if he had sinned, to wish his wife might sin also; or, if he was an adulterer, that she should be an adulteress; the sense is not, that Job really wished such a thing; but he uses such a way of speaking, to show how remote he was from the sin of uncleanness, there being nothing more disagreeable to a man than for his wife to defile his bed; it is the last thing he would wish for: and moreover Job suggests hereby, that had he been guilty of this sin, he must own and acknowledge that he would be righteously served, and it would be a just retaliation upon him, should his wife use him, or she be used, in such a manner;

2). 1). The context of this passage continues down to Job 31:12. 

a). Job 31:1-12 I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

31:2 For what portion of God is there from above? and what inheritance of the Almighty from on high?

31:3 Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity?

31:4 Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?

31:5 If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit;

31:6 Let me be weighed in an even balance that God may know mine integrity.

31:7 If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands;

31:8 Then let me sow, and let another eat; yea, let my offspring be rooted out.

31:9 If mine heart have been deceived by a woman, or if I have laid wait at my neighbour's door;

31:10 Then let my wife grind unto another, and let others bow down upon her.

31:11 For this is an heinous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges.

31:12 For it is a fire that consumeth to destruction, and would root out all mine increase.

3). Jesus said that the individual who engages in such behavior is committing adultery.

a). Matthew 5:27-29 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

5:30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.