Job 31:40 Meaning and Explanation
“Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Job pronounces his final self-curse — that his land yield weeds instead of grain — and his long defense comes to a close.
What Does Job 31:40 Mean?
Job seals his oath about the land from verses 38 and 39 with its curse: if he is guilty, let 'thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley' — let his fields bring forth weeds rather than harvest. With this the narrator notes, 'The words of Job are ended.'
Job has now finished his long account, having staked everything on his innocence before God. He rests his case and falls silent, awaiting an answer from heaven. The thorns and thistles recall the curse upon the ground in Eden, a reminder of a fallen world groaning for redemption. Soon God Himself will speak — and the reader, like Job, is invited to wait in hope for the voice from the whirlwind.
Frequently Asked Questions About Job 31:40
What does Job 31:40 mean?
Job pronounces his final self-curse — that his land yield weeds instead of grain — and his long defense comes to a close.