Job 31:28
 Job 31:28 
New International Version (©2011)
then these also would be sins to be judged, for I would have been unfaithful to God on high.

New Living Translation (©2007)
If so, I should be punished by the judges, for it would mean I had denied the God of heaven.

English Standard Version (©2001)
this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges, for I would have been false to God above.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
That too would have been an iniquity calling for judgment, For I would have denied God above.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
this would also be a crime deserving punishment, for I would have denied God above.

International Standard Version (©2012)
this is also a sin that deserves to be judged, since I would have tried to deceive God above."

NET Bible (©2006)
then this also would be iniquity to be judged, for I would have been false to God above.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
then that, too, would be a criminal offense, and I would have denied God above.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
This also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.

American King James Version
This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.

American Standard Version
This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judges; For I should have denied the God that is above.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Which is a very great iniquity, and a denial against the most high God.

Darby Bible Translation
This also would be an iniquity for the judge, for I should have denied the łGod who is above.

English Revised Version
This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judges: for I should have lied to God that is above.

Webster's Bible Translation
This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.

World English Bible
this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges; for I should have denied the God who is above.

Young's Literal Translation
It also is a judicial iniquity, For I had lied to God above.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

31:24-32 Job protests, 1. That he never set his heart upon the wealth of this world. How few prosperous professors can appeal to the Lord, that they have not rejoiced because their gains were great! Through the determination to be rich, numbers ruin their souls, or pierce themselves with many sorrows. 2. He never was guilty of idolatry. The source of idolatry is in the heart, and it corrupts men, and provokes God to send judgments upon a nation. 3. He neither desired nor delighted in the hurt of the worst enemy he had. If others bear malice to us, that will not justify us in bearing malice to them. 4. He had never been unkind to strangers. Hospitality is a Christian duty, 1Pe 4:9.


Pulpit Commentary

Verse 28. - This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge (see the comment on ver. 11, adfin.). It is rightly concluded from this expression that, in the country and age of Job, the sort of idolatry which is here mentioned was practised by some, and also that it was legally punishable. For I should have denied the God that is above. The worship of any other god besides the supreme God is, practically, atheism, since "no man can serve two masters." Moreover, to set up two independent gods is to destroy the idea of God, which implies supremacy over every other being.


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge,.... As well as adultery, Job 31:11; by the civil magistrates and judges of the earth, who are God's vicegerents, and therefore it behooves them to take cognizance of such an iniquity, and to punish for it, which affects in so peculiar a manner the honour and worship of the true God; this by the law of Moses was punished by stoning to death, Deuteronomy 13:9; however this will be taken notice of and punished by God the Judge of all, whose law is broken hereby, and who will visit this iniquity more especially on those who commit it, and their posterity after them. Idolaters of every sort shall have their part and portion in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, Exodus 20:3; the consideration of its being such a heinous sin, and so deserving of punishment, deterred Job from it; the Targum paraphrases it, a most amazing iniquity, it being, as follows, a denial of the true God:

for I should have denied the God that is above; that is, had he worshipped the sun and moon secretly or openly; for, as the atheist denies him in words, the idolater denies him in facts, worshipping the creature besides the Creator, and giving his glory to another, and his praise to idols; which is a virtual denial of him, even of him who is above the sun and moon in place, being higher than the heavens; and in nature, excellency, and glory, being the Creator of them, and they his creatures; and in power and authority, who commands the sun, and it rises not, and has appointed the moon for seasons, Job 9:7.


Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

28. The Mosaic law embodied subsequently the feeling of the godly from the earliest times against idolatry, as deserving judicial penalties: being treason against the Supreme King (De 13:9; 17:2-7; Eze 8:14-18). This passage therefore does not prove Job to have been subsequent to Moses.


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Job's Final Appeal
27And my heart has been secretly enticed, or my mouth has kissed my hand: 28This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above. 29If I rejoice at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him: …

Deuteronomy 17:2 If a man or woman living among you in one of the towns the LORD gives you is found doing evil in the eyes of the LORD your God in violation of his covenant,
Joshua 24:27 "See!" he said to all the people. "This stone will be a witness against us. It has heard all the words the LORD has said to us. It will be a witness against you if you are untrue to your God."
2 Samuel 3:32 They buried Abner in Hebron, and the king wept aloud at Abner's tomb. All the people wept also.
Job 31:11 For that would have been wicked, a sin to be judged.
Job 31:27 so that my heart was secretly enticed and my hand offered them a kiss of homage,
Proverbs 30:9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the LORD?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.
Isaiah 59:13 rebellion and treachery against the LORD, turning our backs on our God, inciting revolt and oppression, uttering lies our hearts have conceived.