Who is Eliphaz in this passage and why is he speaking to Job?

Eliphaz is one of Job’s friends who came to visit him after he lost his children, wealth, and health. In this chapter he answers Job’s complaints about his suffering. Eliphaz believes that trouble comes as a direct result of sin, so he feels sure Job must have done something very wrong. From that assumption, he speaks boldly, accusing Job of many sins and urging him to repent. He thinks he is defending God’s justice, but he misjudges Job and speaks more than he truly knows.

What does Eliphaz mean by asking, “Can a man be profitable unto God”?

When Eliphaz asks, “Can a man be profitable unto God?” he is saying that even a very wise or righteous person cannot add anything to God or make God richer or greater. God is already complete and self-sufficient. Eliphaz is right that our good works do not put God in our debt or force him to bless us. Where he goes wrong is using this truth against Job, as if Job’s claim of integrity meant he was trying to earn rewards from God, and as if suffering must prove secret sin.

Why does Eliphaz accuse Job of oppressing the poor and needy?

Eliphaz lists specific charges: taking pledges for nothing, stripping the poor of clothing, refusing water to the weary, withholding bread from the hungry, sending widows away empty, and breaking the arms of the fatherless. He is trying to explain Job’s suffering by pointing to typical sins of a harsh, powerful man. The passage does not say that Job actually did these things. Eliphaz assumes that because Job suffers greatly, he must be guilty of great cruelty, which shows how easy it is to judge without real evidence.

What does this passage say about God’s knowledge and presence?

Eliphaz reminds Job that God is in the height of heaven and points to the stars to show how great God is. He criticizes the idea that God cannot see through thick clouds or does not notice what happens on earth. In his speech, God is never blind or distant. God sees injustice and judges it. Even though Eliphaz misapplies this to Job, the truth he states is that God is all-seeing, above human limits, and aware of both the ways of the wicked and the ways of the righteous.

Why does Eliphaz talk about the “old way which wicked men have trodden”?

Eliphaz brings up the “old way” of wicked people to warn Job. He recalls those who said to God, “Depart from us,” and were suddenly cut off, their foundation swept away like in a flood. He uses past judgments as examples of how God deals with people who ignore him and do wrong. His point is that rejecting God leads to ruin, while the righteous see this and are glad that God judges evil. Again, his warning is pointed at Job, even though Job is not described as wicked in the passage.

What does it mean to “acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace”?

When Eliphaz says, “Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace,” he is calling Job to draw near to God, to know God rightly, and to stop resisting what he thinks is God’s correction. To be at peace means to be reconciled with God instead of arguing with him. Eliphaz urges Job to receive God’s instruction, store up God’s words in his heart, and turn from sin. He promises that in doing so, Job will find peace and that good will come to him. The call to turn to God is good, even if Eliphaz misjudges Job’s heart.

What does Eliphaz promise will happen if Job returns to the Almighty?

Eliphaz says that if Job returns to the Almighty and puts away iniquity, he will be “built up,” his house cleansed from sin, and his wealth restored so that gold will be like dust and precious gold like stones of a stream. He says the Almighty will be Job’s defense, he will have plenty of silver, delight in God, pray and be heard, and see light on his ways. Eliphaz believes that clear repentance always brings quick outward blessing, which sounds simple but does not fit every case of suffering.

How does Eliphaz connect suffering, sin, and God’s justice in this passage?

Eliphaz assumes a tight link between suffering and personal sin. He tells Job that snares, fear, darkness, and overwhelming waters surround him because his wickedness is great. In his mind, God always blesses the righteous with safety and wealth, and always strikes the wicked with trouble. This gives him confidence to accuse Job. The passage shows that such a simple view of God’s justice does not allow for the mystery of undeserved suffering, and it warns us not to jump to conclusions about others’ pain.

How can this passage shape how we treat people who are suffering?

Eliphaz’s words are a warning example. He is sure that Job’s pain proves guilt, so he lists harsh sins without proof. This teaches us not to assume that someone’s trouble means they are hiding great evil. The passage also highlights God’s concern for the poor, the weary, widows, and the fatherless, since these are the very people Eliphaz accuses Job of harming. In our own lives, it should push us to show mercy, avoid quick judgment, and remember that only God fully understands why someone suffers.

Job.22.1

Job 22:1

KJV

Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,

Eliphaz: Can a Man Be of Use to God?

1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,

2 Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself?

3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?

4 Will he reprove thee for fear of thee? will he enter with thee into judgment?

5 Is not thy wickedness great? and thine iniquities infinite?

6 For thou hast taken a pledge from thy brother for nought, and stripped the naked of their clothing.

7 Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and thou hast withholden bread from the hungry.

8 But as for the mighty man, he had the earth; and the honourable man dwelt in it.

9 Thou hast sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken.

10 Therefore snares are round about thee, and sudden fear troubleth thee;

11 Or darkness, that thou canst not see; and abundance of waters cover thee.

12 Is not God in the height of heaven? and behold the height of the stars, how high they are!

13 And thou sayest, How doth God know? can he judge through the dark cloud?

14 Thick clouds are a covering to him, that he seeth not; and he walketh in the circuit of heaven.

15 Hast thou marked the old way which wicked men have trodden?

16 Which were cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflown with a flood:

17 Which said unto God, Depart from us: and what can the Almighty do for them?

18 Yet he filled their houses with good things: but the counsel of the wicked is far from me.

19 The righteous see it, and are glad: and the innocent laugh them to scorn.

20 Whereas our substance is not cut down, but the remnant of them the fire consumeth.

21 Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.

22 Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart.

23 If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles.

24 Then shalt thou lay up gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks.

25 Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defence, and thou shalt have plenty of silver.

26 For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God.

27 Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows.

28 Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.

29 When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person.

30 He shall deliver the island of the innocent: and it is delivered by the pureness of thine hands.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.