Oh, that I had one to hear me!Job expresses a deep desire for someone to truly listen to his case. In the context of the ancient Near Eastern legal system, having a fair hearing was crucial. Job feels isolated and misunderstood by his friends, who have accused him of wrongdoing. This plea reflects his longing for justice and vindication. It echoes the human condition of seeking understanding and validation, a theme prevalent throughout the Bible, such as in
Psalm 17:1, where David also seeks God's attentive ear.
Here is my signature.
Job is willing to sign his name to his statements, indicating his confidence in his innocence. In ancient times, a signature or seal was a mark of authenticity and commitment. This act of signing is akin to making a solemn oath, which was a serious matter in biblical times, as seen inNumbers 30:2, where vows made to the Lord must not be broken. Job's readiness to sign underscores his integrity and the seriousness with which he approaches his defense.
Let the Almighty answer me;
Job directly appeals to God, desiring a response from the Almighty Himself. This reflects Job's belief in God's ultimate authority and justice. Throughout the book, Job maintains that only God can truly understand his situation and provide the answers he seeks. This appeal to God is reminiscent of the psalmists who often cry out for divine intervention, such as inPsalm 86:6-7. Job's request for an answer also foreshadows God's eventual response inJob 38, where God speaks out of the whirlwind.
let my accuser compose an indictment.
Job challenges his accuser to formally present charges against him. In the cultural context, this would involve a legal document outlining specific accusations. Job's confidence in facing such an indictment highlights his belief in his own righteousness. This mirrors the legal imagery found in other parts of Scripture, such as inIsaiah 50:8, where the Servant of the Lord invites adversaries to confront him. The concept of an accuser also points to the role of Satan as the accuser of the brethren, as seen inRevelation 12:10, drawing a parallel to the spiritual battle Job is enduring.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JobA man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, known for his immense suffering and unwavering faith.
2.
The Almighty (God)The supreme being whom Job desires to answer him. Job seeks a divine response to his plight and questions.
3.
AccuserWhile not explicitly named in this verse, the accuser can be seen as anyone who challenges Job's integrity, including his friends or Satan, who initially questioned Job's righteousness.
4.
Job's FriendsAlthough not directly mentioned in this verse, they play a significant role in the account, often accusing Job of wrongdoing as the cause of his suffering.
5.
The IndictmentThe formal accusation or charge that Job wishes to be written against him, so he can respond to it and defend his integrity.
Teaching Points
Desire for Divine JusticeJob's plea highlights the human longing for justice and understanding from God. Believers can take comfort in knowing that God hears and will ultimately bring justice.
Integrity in SufferingJob's willingness to sign his name to his claims of innocence teaches us the importance of maintaining integrity, even when falsely accused or misunderstood.
The Role of Faith in TrialsJob's faith in seeking an audience with God demonstrates the importance of turning to God in times of trial, trusting in His wisdom and timing.
God as the Ultimate JudgeThis verse reminds us that while human judgment is often flawed, God is the ultimate judge who sees and knows all.
The Importance of Honest Dialogue with GodJob's candidness in expressing his desire to speak with God encourages believers to be honest in their prayers and seek a personal relationship with Him.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Job 31:35?
2.How does Job 31:35 demonstrate Job's desire for vindication before God?
3.What can we learn from Job's confidence in his integrity in Job 31:35?
4.How does Job 31:35 connect to themes of justice in the Bible?
5.How can we apply Job's example of seeking God's judgment in our lives?
6.What does Job 31:35 teach about maintaining faith during trials and accusations?
7.What does Job 31:35 reveal about Job's understanding of divine justice?
8.How does Job 31:35 challenge the concept of God's silence in suffering?
9.Why does Job demand a written indictment in Job 31:35?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 31?
11.Job 32:2 – Does Elihu’s accusation that Job “justified himself rather than God” conflict with God’s earlier testimony that Job was blameless (Job 1:1)?
12.In light of Job 35:16, why would a merciful God remain silent if Job’s pleas are without merit, given other scriptures showing God responding to human need?
13.In Job 35:6-7, how can Elihu claim human obedience or sin does not affect God when other passages suggest God is personally impacted by human actions?
14.Does Job's assertion of moral completeness in Job 31:5-8 conflict with the broader biblical theme of universal human fallibility?What Does Job 31:35 Mean
Oh, that I had one to hear me!“ Oh, that I had someone to hear me! ”
- Job longs for a fair hearing after his friends’ relentless accusations (Job 13:3; 23:3-7).
- Like the psalmist who cries, “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it” (Psalm 37:5-6), Job casts himself on God’s justice.
- The cry echoes righteous sufferers through Scripture—Hannah before Eli (1 Samuel 1:15-16) and the prophets pleading for God’s vindication (Micah 7:7).
-Hebrews 4:16 reminds believers that they too may “approach the throne of grace with confidence,” assured the Lord hears.
Here is my signature.“ Here is my signature. ”
- Job seals his oath of innocence, as if signing a legal document (Job 31:1-34).
- Ancient practice linked signatures or seals with binding testimony, seen inNehemiah 9:38 andJeremiah 32:10.
- By fixing his name to his words, Job accepts full accountability, confident that “the righteous will live by faith” (Habakkuk 2:4) and that God witnesses every declaration (Malachi 3:16).
Let the Almighty answer me;“ Let the Almighty answer me; ”
- Job wants God, not human friends, to deliver the verdict (Job 13:22).
- His confidence springs from earlier revelations of a living Redeemer who will stand upon the earth (Job 19:25-27).
- David voiced similar trust: “Let my vindication come from Your presence” (Psalm 17:2).
-James 5:11 commends Job’s endurance, assuring believers that “the Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”
Let my accuser compose an indictment.“ let my accuser compose an indictment. ”
- Job invites any charge to be written out, reflecting legal customs where accusations were formally inscribed (Isaiah 50:8-9).
- The ultimate “accuser of our brothers” appears inJob 1:9-11 andRevelation 12:10; Job defies both human and satanic allegations.
- Christ later fulfills this confidence by nailing “the record of debt that stood against us” to the cross (Colossians 2:14), silencing every indictment against the faithful.
summaryJob 31:35 captures a climactic moment: Job, certain of his innocence, signs his testimony and calls on God Himself to respond. He throws the courtroom open, daring any adversary to write out charges, because he trusts the Almighty’s perfect justice. Believers today share that assurance—when conscience is clear and lives are surrendered to Christ, they may rest in God’s ultimate vindication.
(35) O
h that one would hear me!--The rendering noticed in the margin is probably the right one--
Oh that I had one to hear me! Lo, here is my mark! i.e.,my signature, my declaration, which I am ready to subscribe; and oh that mine adversary had written a book! More correctly, perhaps, "That I had the book or indictment that my adversary hath written; would that I had it in black and white before me, that I might deal with it accordingly, and answer it point to point." Here, then, is the same deviation from strict sequence of order that we observed in
Job 29:18.
Job 31:35-37 ought to come after
Job 31:38-40; but the writer's ideas of symmetry and order were not as ours, and this, in some respects, may be more natural, though, strictly speaking, less correct.
Verse 35. -
Oh that one would hear me!i.e. Oh that I had an opportunity of plea, ling my cause before a just judge l of having charges openly brought against me, and having "one" to hear my reply to them! Job does not regard his "comforters" as such persons. They are prejudiced; they have even made themselves his accusers.
Behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me; rather,
beholdhere is my signature I let the Almighty answer me. This passage is parenthetic. Job would prefer to be judged by God, if it were possible, and therefore throws out the wish. Here is his plea in ch. 29-31; and here is his attestation by word of mouth, which is equivalent to his signature. And that mine adversary had written a book; or,
had penned an indictment against me. Job would have matters brought to an issue. In default of a Divine trial and sentence, which he cannot expect, it would suffice tot him that his arraigner should formally draw out his list of charges, and present him with a copy, and so give him an opportunity of making answer to it. If this were done, then (he says) -
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Oh, thatמִ֤י(mî)Interjection
Strong's 4310:Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffixI hadיִתֶּן־(yit·ten-)Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5414:To give, put, setone to hearלִ֨י ׀(lî)Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's Hebrewme!שֹׁ֘מֵ֤עַֽ(šō·mê·a‘)Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 8085:To hear intelligentlyHere isהֶן־(hen-)Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 2005:Lo! behold!my signature—תָּ֭וִי(tā·wî)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8420:A mark, a signaturelet the Almightyשַׁדַּ֣י(šad·day)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 7706:The Almightyanswer me;יַעֲנֵ֑נִי(ya·‘ă·nê·nî)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6030:To answer, respondlet my accuserאִ֣ישׁ(’îš)Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 376:A man as an individual, a male personcomposeכָּ֝תַ֗ב(kā·ṯaḇ)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3789:To grave, to writeHis indictment.וְסֵ֥פֶר(wə·sê·p̄er)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5612:A missive, document, writing, book
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OT Poetry: Job 31:35 Oh that I had one to hear (Jb) 
