A.M. 2484. B.C. 1520. Eliphaz checks Job for his complaints of God, Job 22:1-4 . Charges miseries on his sins, Job 22:5-14 . Compares his case to that of the old world, Job 22:15-20 . Assures him, that if he would return to God, he would show him mercy, Job 22:21-30 . read more
Job 22:1. Then Eliphaz answered Eliphaz, in this chapter, charges Job home with particular facts of cruelty and oppression, which he supposes him to be guilty of, though he cannot allege one proof of them; to which he adds the atrocious crime of atheism, and a denial or disbelief of God’s providence; and this latter he assigns as the reason of Job’s obstinacy in refusing to submit and acknowledge his guilt. He compares his wickedness to that of the mighty oppressors of the antediluvian... read more
Job 22:2. Can a man be profitable unto God That is, add any thing to his perfection or felicity? namely, by his righteousness, as the next verse shows. Why then dost thou insist so much upon thy own righteousness, as if thou didst oblige God by it; or, as if he could not, without injustice, afflict thee, who supposest thyself to be a righteous person? As, or because, he that is wise He that is a truly righteous and good man; may be profitable to himself Does much good to himself;... read more
Job 22:3. Is it any pleasure to the Almighty that thou art righteous? That is, any such pleasure as he needs in order to his happiness? Heath renders it, any advantage. God, we know, approves of and accepts the good actions of his people, and is often said in Scripture to delight in them; but certainly cannot be advantaged by them. He needs not us or our services. We are undone, for ever undone, without him: but he is happy, for ever happy, without us. read more
Job 22:4. Will he reprove thee That is, rebuke, chastise, or punish thee; for fear of thee? Because he is afraid lest, if he should let thee alone, thou wouldst grow too great and powerful for him: surely no. As thy righteousness cannot profit him, so thy wickedness can do him no hurt. read more
Job 22:5. Is not thy wickedness great? Thy great sins are the true and only cause of thy misery. Or, the verse may be translated, Is not thy evil (thy affliction or punishment) great, because, אין קצ , ein ketz, there is no end to thy iniquities? Are not thy calamities procured by, and in proportion to thy sins? Thy conscience tells thee they are so. And therefore thou hast no reason to accuse God, or any person but thyself. read more
Job 22:6. For thou hast taken a pledge Or, surely thou hast taken. He speaks thus, by way of conjecture, or strong presumption: as if he had said, When I consider thy grievous and unusual calamities, I justly conclude thou art guilty of some, or all, of these following crimes; and do thou search thy own conscience whether it be not so with thee. From thy brother Of thy neighbour, or of thy kinsman; for naught Without a sufficient and justifiable cause. And stripped the naked of their... read more
Job 22:8. The mighty man had the earth That is, he had the firm possession, or free enjoyment of it. Which is meant, either, 1st, of Job, of whom he speaks invidiously in the third person: as if he had said, The mighty man Job possessed, enlarged, and enjoyed his estate, without any compassion to the poor. Or, 2d, of other rich and potent men, who had the earth or land by Job’s kindness and courtesy. The rich were always welcome to him; his house was open to them; his land was before them,... read more
Job 22:9. Thou hast sent widows Whose helpless state called for thy pity; away empty Either by denying them that relief that their poverty required, or that right which their cause deserved; or, by spoiling them of their goods, because thou knewest them to be unable to oppose thee, or to defend themselves. And the arms of the fatherless have been broken That is, all their supports and rights, a heinous sin, but falsely charged upon Job. read more
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Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 22:30
He shall deliver the island of the innocent - Margin, “the innocent shall deliver the island.” Never was there a more unhappy translation than this; and it is quite clear that our translators had no intelligible idea of the meaning of the passage. What can be meant by “saving the island of the innocent?” The word rendered island (אי 'ı̂y) commonly means, indeed, an island, or a maritime country; see Isaiah 20:6, note. It is, however, used as a “negative” in 1 Samuel 4:21, in the name “I-chabod”... read more