Job 22

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 22:20

Whereas our substance is not cut down - Margin, or, “Estate” Gesenius supposes that this means our adversary or enemy. The word used here (קים qı̂ym) he regards as derived from קוּם qûm - to rise, to rise up; and, hence, it may have the sense of rising up against, or an enemy. So Noyes understands it, and renders it:“Truly, our adversary is destroyed;And fire hath consumed his abundance.”Rosemmuller accords with this, and it seems to me to be the correct view. According to this, it is the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 22:21

Acquaint now thyself with him - Margin, that is, “with God.” Eliphaz takes it for granted now, that Job was a sinner wholly unreconciled to God, and unacquainted with him. This fact, he supposes, was the source of all his calamities. As long as he remained thus unreconciled to God, he must be miserable. He proceeds, therefore, in a most beautiful manner, to exhort him to be at peace with God, and portrays the benefits which would result from such a reconciliation. There are few passages in the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 22:22

Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth - Listen to his commands, and obey his precepts.And lay up his words in thine heart - Embrace his truth, and do not forget it. Let it abide with you, and let it influence your secret feelings and the purposes of the soul. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 22:23

If thou return to the Almighty - Assuming that he was an impenitent sinner, and wholly unreconciled to him.Thou shalt be built up - A figure taken from building up a house, in contradistinction from pulling one down, and denoting that he would be prospered and happy.Thou shalt put away iniquity - Rosenmuller, Good, Noyes, and Wemyss, suppose correctly, as it seems to me, that the word “if” is to be understood here to complete the sense - “if thou shalt put away iniquity.”From thy tabernacle -... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 22:24

Then shalt thou lay up gold as dust - Margin, or, “on the dust.” Dr. Good renders this, “Thou shalt then count thy treasure as dust” - implying that he would have much of it. Noyes, “Cast to the dust thy gold” - implying that he would throw his gold away as of no account, and put his dependence on God alone. Kim-chi, and, after him, Grotius, suppose that it means, “Thy gold thou shalt regard no more than dust, and gold of Ophir no more than the stones of the brook; God shall be to thee better... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 22:25

Yea, the Almighty shall be - Or, rather, “then the Almighty shall be” - והיה yehâyâh. The meaning is, that if he would return to God, and cast off his anxiety for gold, “then” the Almighty would be his real treasure, and would impart to him solid happiness.Thy defense - Margin, “gold.” The margin is the more correct translation. The word is the same which occurs in the previous verse בצר betser, and there rendered “gold.” The word may have the sense of “defense,” as the verb בצר bâtsar is... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 22:26

Shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty - Instead of complaining of him as you now do, you would then find calm enjoyment in contemplating his character and his moral government. This is a correct account of the effects of reconciliation. He who becomes truly “acquainted” with God has pleasure in his existence and attributes; in his law and administration. No longer disposed to complain, he confides in him when he is afflicted; flees to him when he is persecuted; seeks him in the day of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 22:27

Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him - God would then hear him, for he would be righteous. This was one of the blessings which would follow reconciliation. It is, in fact, one of the blessings of a return to God. He hears the cry of his people, and answers their supplications. To be permitted to go to God and to tell him all our needs, to plead for all we need and to implore blessings on our families and friends, is a privilege of far higher value than anything which wealth can bestow; is worth... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 22:28

Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee - Thou shalt form a purpose or plan, and it shall not be frustrated. It shall not be opposed by the events of divine Providence, but whatever you undertake shall prosper.And the light shall shine upon thy ways - Thou shalt be prospered in all things, instead of being overtaken with calamity. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 22:29

When men are cast down - The meaning of this is, probably, when people are usually cast down, or in the times of trial and calamity, which prostrate others, you shall find support. You shall then be enabled to say, “there is lifting up, or there is support.” Or, more probably still, it may mean, “in times when others are cast down and afflicted, thou shalt be able to raise them up, or to aid them. Thou shalt be able to go to them and say, ‘Be of good cheer. Do not be cast down. There is... read more

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