The Meaning of Job 31:32 Explained

Job 31:32

KJV: The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveller.

YLT: In the street doth not lodge a stranger, My doors to the traveller I open.

Darby: The stranger did not lodge without; I opened my doors to the pathway.

ASV: (The sojourner hath not lodged in the street; But I have opened my doors to the traveller);

KJV Reverse Interlinear

The stranger  did not lodge  in the street:  [but] I opened  my doors  to the traveller. 

What does Job 31:32 Mean?

Context Summary

Job 31:1-40 - The Clean Life
Job had specially guarded against impurity, for its heritage is one of calamity and disaster. He is sure that even if he were weighed by God Himself there would be no iniquity discovered in him. He even goes so far as to invoke the most awful results if he has sinned against the seventh commandment. It is well for us if we are able with similar sincerity to appeal to the verdict of God and of our own heart. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to beget in us purity and separateness from sin, that we may walk with unsullied garments.
Job also protests the even-handedness of his dealings with his servants, alleging the principle which underlies the whole Christian teaching on the point, that we all have been made by the same Creator. He insists on his benevolence to the widow and the fatherless. He is careful to show that he had not failed in doing all the good that was within his reach. Alas, how few of us can say as much! How many such occasions cross our path every day, which we heedlessly let pass!
With this appeal Job goes into the presence of God, and asks for a reply. In the strong gospel light we are too deeply convicted of sin to dare to do this, and must rely upon the merits of Christ. In these alone can we approach the uncreated light. [source]

Chapter Summary: Job 31

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

What do the individual words in Job 31:32 mean?

In the street [But] no had to lodge sojourner my doors to the traveler [For] I have opened
בַּ֭חוּץ לֹא־ יָלִ֣ין גֵּ֑ר דְּ֝לָתַ֗י לָאֹ֥רַח אֶפְתָּֽח

בַּ֭חוּץ  In  the  street 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: חוּץ  
Sense: outside, outward, street, the outside.
לֹא־  [But]  no 
Parse: Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
יָלִ֣ין  had  to  lodge 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: לוּן 
Sense: to lodge, stop over, pass the night, abide.
גֵּ֑ר  sojourner 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: גֵּר  
Sense: sojourner.
דְּ֝לָתַ֗י  my  doors 
Parse: Noun, fdc, first person common singular
Root: דַּל 
Sense: door, gate.
לָאֹ֥רַח  to  the  traveler 
Parse: Preposition-l, Article, Noun, common singular
Root: אֹרַח  
Sense: way, path.
אֶפְתָּֽח  [For]  I  have  opened 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, first person common singular
Root: פָּתַח 
Sense: to open.