Cycles in Job Table

22:1 Eliphaz the Temanite Teman was a city in Edom associated with wisdom (Jer 49:7).

22:3 a pleasure to Shaddai Eliphaz wrongly argues that God has no stake in Job’s righteousness or vindication. He is unaware of the conversation between God and Satan in Job 1:7–12 and 2:2–6, where Satan argues that Job will curse God when afflicted. God does have a stake in Job’s righteousness—his righteousness will prove Satan wrong.

22:4 he reprove you because of your reverence Eliphaz first encouraged Job to hope in his reverence for God (4:6). Later, he accused him of doing away with it (15:4). Here, he sarcastically asks if God is punishing Job because Job reveres Him. Ironically, this is exactly the reason God afflicted Job. If Job did not revere God, the satan figure would not have challenged the reason for Job’s faith (1:8–11; compare note on 1:6).

Fearing God in the Old Testament

22:5 there is no end to your iniquities Eliphaz believes that Job suffers for his sin; since Job’s suffering has been abundant, his sin must also be abundant. (Compare 7:20 and note.)

22:6 you have required a pledge from your family Taking a pledge was a way of taking collateral for a debt. The law prohibited taking a pledge that would damage the debtor’s ability to make a living (Deut 24:6). It required those who took clothing as a pledge to return it by nightfall (Exod 22:26–27; Deut 24:10–13). Eliphaz accuses Job of exploiting the poor by taking pledges for no reason (Job 1:9). See note on Exod 22:21–27.

22:7 You have given no water for the weary to drink Eliphaz questions Job’s compassion, accusing him of withholding food and drink from the poor. Job later denies this accusation (Job 31:16–17).

22:9 You have sent widows away empty-handed Eliphaz accuses Job of ignoring the law, which requires the wealthy to protect widows and orphans (Exod 22:22; Deut 10:17–18). Job denies this claim, arguing that he has taken care of widows and orphans his entire life (Job 29:12–13; 31:18).

22:10 trapping nets are all around you Eliphaz attributes Job’s current suffering to the sins he has listed. Job’s sin has entrapped him (18:8–10).

22:12 not God in the height of the heavens As a response to Job’s claim that God allows the wicked to prosper, Eliphaz praises the greatness of God.

22:13 What does God know Eliphaz accuses Job of limiting God. He thinks that Job, by claiming that the wicked prosper (21:14–16), is asserting that God is limited or incompetent.

22:16 foundation was washed away by Eliphaz argues that Job is continuing in the path of the wicked, which leads to destruction (Prov 4:14–19; compare Job 4:7 and note; 4:8 and note).

22:17 Those who said to God Eliphaz reiterates Job’s description of the attitude of the wicked (21:14–15).

22:19 the innocent one mocks at them Eliphaz describes the positive reaction of the righteous to the destruction of the wicked. Job accused his friends of cruelly mocking him (21:3). Eliphaz felt that their mocking was justified.

22:21 reconcile yourself with While Eliphaz now pleads with Job to repent, he previously encouraged Job to accept God’s discipline (5:17). He argues that Job will only find peace after he repents.

22:22 place his words in your heart Describes a way of keeping yourself from sin (Pss 37:31; 119:11). Eliphaz encouraged Job to repent and take measures to avoid future wrongdoing.

22:24 and if you put gold ore in the dust As he removed injustice from his tent (Job 22:23), Job would have to give up his wealth. Eliphaz attributes Job’s wealth to unjust practices (vv. 6–9).

the gold of Ophir A region known for very fine gold (Isa 13:12). Its exact location is unknown, but it is thought to have been located in the Southern Arabian Peninsula on the Red Sea. Solomon imported gold from Ophir (1 Kgs 9:26–28).

22:25 your gold ore and your precious silver Eliphaz promises Job that his repentance will lead to God’s blessing.

22:26 you will expect that God will be good to you Contrasts Job’s earlier claim that he could not lift his head even though he is innocent. See note on Job 10:15; note on 10:16.

22:27 he will hear you Job’s repentance would grant him a renewed intimacy with God. Throughout his speeches, Job begs God for a response (13:20). Ironically, Eliphaz—along with Job’s other friends—will directly benefit from the acceptance of Job’s prayer by God (42:8–9).

22:28 light will shine on your ways Eliphaz counters Job’s earlier claim that God surrounded him in darkness (19:8).