Job 31:2 (KJV)

What does Job 31:2 mean?

Job 31:2 asks what kind of reward or outcome a person can expect from God above, or what inheritance the Almighty gives from heaven. Job is questioning what portion or fate comes from God for a person’s actions, especially in the context of living rightly.

Job is speaking about his own integrity, defending himself to his friends who have accused him of wrongdoing. In this verse, Job is reflecting on the idea that God, the Almighty, is the true judge who gives each person their “portion” or “inheritance” from above, meaning the consequences or blessings that come from God’s justice.

The Hebrew behind Job 31:2

• "portion" (חֵלֶק, ḥēleq): This word often means a share, lot, or fate given to someone. Here, it highlights Job’s concern about what kind of outcome or destiny God assigns to people.
• "inheritance" (נַחֲלָה, naḥălāh): This word refers to something passed down, like property or a legacy. In this context, it points to what God gives as a lasting result or reward.
• "God" (אֱלוֹהַּ, ’ĕlôah) and "Almighty" (שַׁדַּי, Shaddai): These names for God emphasize His power and authority to decide each person’s fate.
• "above" (מַעַל, ma‘al) and "on high" (מָרוֹם, marom): These words stress that the source of judgment or reward is not earthly, but comes from God’s exalted position.

Why Job 31:2 matters

• Job 31:2 shows that Job is appealing directly to God’s justice, not just human opinion, which is important in the larger argument between Job and his friends.
• The verse clarifies that Job believes rewards and consequences come from God’s hand, not from random chance or human tradition.
• This question sets up Job’s following statements, where he insists that he has lived with integrity and trusts God to judge him fairly.