Job 31:14 Meaning and Explanation
“What then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Job asks how he could possibly answer God if he had wronged his servants, since God Himself will rise to judge.
What Does Job 31:14 Mean?
This verse gives the reason behind Job's fairness to his servants in verse 13. He pictures the day when God 'riseth up' to judge and 'visiteth' to call to account — and asks what answer he could give if he had oppressed the weak.
Job's restraint toward those below him springs from his accountability to the One above him. He fears the divine reckoning more than he prizes his own advantage. The believer is reminded that how we treat those with no power over us reveals whether we truly believe we will give an account to God, before whom master and servant stand alike.
Job 31:14 in the Original Language
paqad (פָּקַד), 'visiteth' -- to attend to, inspect, or call to account, often for judgment or reckoning.
Frequently Asked Questions About Job 31:14
What does Job 31:14 mean?
Job asks how he could possibly answer God if he had wronged his servants, since God Himself will rise to judge.