What does Job 31:32 mean?

"The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveller." - Job 31:32

"The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveller." - Job 31:32

Job 31:32 in the King James Version reads, "The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveller." This verse is part of a larger passage in the book of Job, where Job is defending his righteousness in the face of his suffering. The verse speaks to Job's hospitality and kindness to others, especially to strangers and travelers. In this passage, Job is recounting the various ways in which he has lived a just and righteous life, and showing how he has consistently followed God's commandments.

The theme of hospitality and kindness to strangers is a prominent one in the Bible, and is often associated with righteousness and living a moral life. The Bible is full of stories and teachings that emphasize the importance of welcoming and caring for those who are in need. In the New Testament, Jesus himself teaches about the importance of caring for others, and there are multiple parables and teachings about the value of showing kindness and generosity to strangers.

In the context of the book of Job, this verse is particularly significant because it underscores Job's commitment to living a righteous life, even in the face of extreme suffering and adversity. Job has lost his family, his wealth, and his health, but he still clings to his faith and his belief in doing what is right. This verse serves as a reminder that even in the midst of our own struggles and challenges, we are called to extend kindness and generosity to others.

The symbolism of opening one's doors to the traveler can be interpreted in several ways. On a literal level, it represents the act of providing tangible support and assistance to those in need. In ancient Middle Eastern culture, hospitality was a sacred duty, and offering shelter and provisions to travelers was seen as a way of honoring God. By opening his doors to the traveler, Job is demonstrating his commitment to upholding this important cultural and religious value.

On a deeper level, the act of opening one's doors to the traveler can also be seen as a metaphor for offering acceptance and friendship to those who are different from us. In the Bible, strangers and travelers often represent marginalized or vulnerable people, and showing hospitality to them is a way of affirming their worth and dignity. This verse can be seen as a call to embrace and care for those who are outside of our own community or social circles, and to extend compassion to all people, regardless of their background or circumstances.

In a broader sense, this verse also speaks to the idea of generosity and benevolence as a fundamental aspect of living a righteous and ethical life. Throughout the Bible, there is a consistent emphasis on the importance of sharing our resources with those in need, and of using our blessings to bless others. By opening his doors to the traveler, Job is embodying this principle of giving and sharing, and is showing that true righteousness is marked by a spirit of generosity and goodwill towards others.

Overall, Job 31:32 is a powerful reminder of the importance of hospitality, kindness, and generosity in the life of a believer. It serves as a testament to Job's character and his unwavering commitment to living a righteous life, even in the midst of great suffering. It also challenges us to consider how we can extend hospitality and care to those around us, and to reflect on the ways in which our actions can demonstrate the love and compassion of God.

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Job 31:32 Artwork

Job 31:32 - "The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveller."

Job 31:32 - "The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveller."

"The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveller." - Job 31:32

"The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveller." - Job 31:32

Exodus 32:31-32
So Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made gods of gold for themselves. / Yet now, if You would only forgive their sin.... But if not, please blot me out of the book that You have written.”
Exodus 32:31-32

Exodus 32:31-32 So Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made gods of gold for themselves. / Yet now, if You would only forgive their sin.... But if not, please blot me out of the book that You have written.” Exodus 32:31-32

Job 31:40 - "Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended."

Job 31:40 - "Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended."

Job 32:1 - "So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes."

Job 32:1 - "So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes."

Job 32:12 - "Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:"

Job 32:12 - "Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:"

Job 31:31 - "If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied."

Job 31:31 - "If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied."

Luke 22:31-32 - "Luke 22:31-32: And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren."

Luke 22:31-32 - "Luke 22:31-32: And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren."

Job 33:31 - "Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak."

Job 33:31 - "Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak."

Job 32:4 - "Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he."

Job 32:4 - "Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he."

Job 32:3 - "Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job."

Job 32:3 - "Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job."

Deuteronomy 32:31 - "For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges."

Deuteronomy 32:31 - "For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges."

Job 32:15 - "They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking."

Job 32:15 - "They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking."

Job 32:8 - "But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding."

Job 32:8 - "But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding."

Job 31:11 - "For this is an heinous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges."

Job 31:11 - "For this is an heinous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges."

Job 31:3 - "Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity?"

Job 31:3 - "Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity?"

Job 21:32 - "Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb."

Job 21:32 - "Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb."

Job 15:32 - "It shall be accomplished before his time, and his branch shall not be green."

Job 15:32 - "It shall be accomplished before his time, and his branch shall not be green."

Job 36:32 - "With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt."

Job 36:32 - "With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt."

Job 32:9 - "Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment."

Job 32:9 - "Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment."

Job 31 take an inventory of his life

Job 31 take an inventory of his life

Job 32:18 - "For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me."

Job 32:18 - "For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me."

Job 32:16 - "When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)"

Job 32:16 - "When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)"

Job 32:2 - "Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God."

Job 32:2 - "Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God."

Job 31:26 - "If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness;"

Job 31:26 - "If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness;"

Job 36:31 - "For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance."

Job 36:31 - "For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance."

Job 32:20 - "I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer."

Job 32:20 - "I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer."

Job 32:7 - "I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom."

Job 32:7 - "I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom."

Job 32:10 - "Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion."

Job 32:10 - "Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion."

Job 32:5 - "When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled."

Job 32:5 - "When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled."