If my land cry against me, or that the furrows likewise thereof complain;
If my land cries out against me, or if the furrows of my fields complain about me;
Job is saying that if he had mistreated his land or been dishonest in his farming, even the earth itself would cry out against his wrongdoing.
📚 Historical Context
In the Book of Job, Chapter 31, Job is delivering a passionate defense of his innocence during his suffering, listing various oaths to prove he has not sinned in specific ways. This verse reflects the ancient Near Eastern view that the land could metaphorically "cry out" against mistreatment, such as exploitation or neglect, which was tied to ideas of justice and divine accountability as seen in other biblical writings. Agriculture was central to daily life in that culture, making proper stewardship of the earth a moral and spiritual obligation.
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