Job 31:34 Meaning and Explanation
“Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of the door?”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Job asks whether fear of the crowd or scorn of others ever drove him to hide his faults in cowardly silence.
What Does Job 31:34 Mean?
This verse continues the thought of verse 33. Job asks whether dread of 'a great multitude' or the 'contempt of families' ever frightened him into silence, so that he 'kept silence' and 'went not out of the door' — hiding away rather than facing the truth about himself.
The pressure of public opinion can tempt anyone to conceal failings rather than risk shame. Job claims he was not ruled by that fear. He did not let the crowd's contempt drive him into hiding. The reader is reminded that the fear of people enslaves, but the fear of God sets us free to live openly and honestly, with nothing to hide and no one to dread but Him.
Frequently Asked Questions About Job 31:34
What does Job 31:34 mean?
Job asks whether fear of the crowd or scorn of others ever drove him to hide his faults in cowardly silence.