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…

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














I would give account
The phrase "I would give account" reflects Job's desire to present a detailed and honest report of his life before God. The Hebrew root for "account" is "saphar," which means to recount or declare. This word conveys a sense of transparency and integrity. Job is expressing his willingness to lay bare his actions and thoughts, confident in his righteousness. In a broader biblical context, this reflects the importance of accountability before God, a theme echoed throughout Scripture, emphasizing that every individual will ultimately give an account of their life (Romans 14:12).

of all my steps
The phrase "of all my steps" signifies a comprehensive review of Job's actions and decisions. The Hebrew word for "steps" is "ashur," which can also mean a step or going. This suggests not just physical movements but the entirety of one's conduct and life journey. Job's assertion here is profound, as he claims a life lived with such integrity that he is willing to scrutinize every aspect of it. This reflects the biblical principle of walking in righteousness and the call to live a life that is blameless before God (Psalm 119:133).

I would approach Him
In "I would approach Him," Job expresses his readiness to come before God. The Hebrew verb "qarab" means to draw near or approach. This is significant because it indicates Job's confidence in his relationship with God, despite his suffering. In the ancient Near Eastern context, approaching a deity was a serious matter, often reserved for priests or those with a special calling. Job's willingness to approach God directly underscores his belief in his innocence and his understanding of God as accessible to those who are righteous.

like a prince
The phrase "like a prince" conveys a sense of dignity and authority. The Hebrew word "nagid" refers to a leader or noble. Job's use of this term suggests that he sees himself as having the right to stand before God with confidence, not out of arrogance, but because of his integrity and uprightness. In the biblical narrative, princes or leaders were often seen as representatives of their people, and Job's comparison to a prince highlights his role as a representative of righteousness. This reflects the biblical theme of believers being called to approach God with confidence, as seen in Hebrews 4:16, where believers are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace.

(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


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