ScriptureDepth's study of Job 22
“Acquaint yourself with him, now, and be at peace. Thereby good shall come to you.”
Job 22:21
Eliphaz speaks to Job, urging him to 'acquaint yourself with him' as a call to repentance which promises peace and restoration if Job turns from his iniquities.
What Job 22 is about
In Job chapter 22, Eliphaz the Temanite launches into his third and final discourse, addressing Job with increasing severity. Eliphaz accuses Job of several specific sins, suggesting that Job's suffering must be the consequence of his alleged wickedness. He lists possible transgressions like withholding water from the thirsty and bread from the hungry, implying that Job's social injustices and lack of charity brought about his ruin.
Eliphaz firmly believes in the retributive justice system, where suffering is a direct result of sin, and he urges Job to repent and return to God, promising that prosperity and peace will follow such repentance. This chapter explores themes of human suffering, repentance, divine justice, and the relationship between sin and adversity. Eliphaz's rigid perspective reflects the broader theological debate about the nature of suffering and righteousness within the book of Job.
Job 22 at a glance
- Job 22:1–11Eliphaz Accuses Job of Sin
- Job 22:12–20God's Omniscience and Judgment
- Job 22:21–30Call to Repentance and Assurance
Key verse: Job 22:21
One thing to notice
Eliphaz accuses Job of specific social injustices in verses 6-9. He mentions taking pledges from the brother, stripping the naked of their clothing, and withholding water from the weary. Eliphaz presents these actions as evidence of Job's moral failure.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Job 22 (WEB)
Eliphaz Accuses Job of Sin Job 22:1–11
1Verse 1. Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered,2Verse 2. “Can a man be profitable to God?Surely he who is wise is profitable to himself.3Verse 3. Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that you are righteous?Or does it benefit him, that you make your ways perfect?4Verse 4. Is it for your piety that he reproves you,that he enters with you into judgment?5Verse 5. Isn’t your wickedness great?Neither is there any end to your iniquities.6Verse 6. For you have taken pledges from your brother for nothing,and stripped the naked of their clothing.7Verse 7. You haven’t given water to the weary to drink,and you have withheld bread from the hungry.8Verse 8. But as for the mighty man, he had the earth.The honorable man, he lived in it.9Verse 9. You have sent widows away empty,and the arms of the fatherless have been broken.10Verse 10. Therefore snares are around you.Sudden fear troubles you,11Verse 11. or darkness, so that you can not see,and floods of waters cover you.
God's Omniscience and Judgment Job 22:12–20
12Verse 12. “Isn’t God in the heights of heaven?See the height of the stars, how high they are!13Verse 13. You say, ‘What does God know?Can he judge through the thick darkness?14Verse 14. Thick clouds are a covering to him, so that he doesn’t see.He walks on the vault of the sky.’15Verse 15. Will you keep the old way,which wicked men have trodden,16Verse 16. who were snatched away before their time,whose foundation was poured out as a stream,17Verse 17. who said to God, ‘Depart from us;’and, ‘What can the Almighty do for us?’18Verse 18. Yet he filled their houses with good things,but the counsel of the wicked is far from me.19Verse 19. The righteous see it, and are glad.The innocent ridicule them,20Verse 20. saying, ‘Surely those who rose up against us are cut off.The fire has consumed their remnant.’
Call to Repentance and Assurance Job 22:21–30
21Verse 21. “Acquaint yourself with him, now, and be at peace.Thereby good shall come to you.22Verse 22. Please receive instruction from his mouth,and lay up his words in your heart.23Verse 23. If you return to the Almighty, you shall be built up,if you put away unrighteousness far from your tents.24Verse 24. Lay your treasure in the dust,the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks.25Verse 25. The Almighty will be your treasure,and precious silver to you.26Verse 26. For then you will delight yourself in the Almighty,and shall lift up your face to God.27Verse 27. You shall make your prayer to him, and he will hear you.You shall pay your vows.28Verse 28. You shall also decree a thing, and it shall be established to you.Light shall shine on your ways.29Verse 29. When they cast down, you shall say, ‘be lifted up.’He will save the humble person.30Verse 30. He will even deliver him who is not innocent.Yes, he shall be delivered through the cleanness of your hands.”
World English Bible (public domain)
Go deeper
Ask the AI about Job 22
Bring your question about the chapter, the key verse, or how this passage fits the rest of Scripture. Ask unlimited questions and keep study notes on every chapter. 7 days free, no card.
Main themes in Job 22
Suffering and Sin
In this chapter, Eliphaz accuses Job of sin as a reason for his suffering. He asserts in v. 5 that Job's 'wickedness' is great, and he lists specific accusations against Job, such as taking pledges without cause and failing to help the needy in vv. 6-9. Through these claims, Eliphaz implies that Job's current plight is a direct consequence of his moral failures.
Divine Justice
Eliphaz asserts God's omniscience and the inevitability of His judgment throughout the chapter. In vv. 12-14, he poses rhetorical questions about God's ability to see through darkness, suggesting that no one can escape divine scrutiny. He emphasizes in v. 20 that the righteous rejoice when the wicked are judged, implying that God's justice is both inevitable and will ultimately be served.
Repentance
The chapter culminates in a call for Job's repentance in vv. 21-23. Eliphaz urges Job to 'acquaint yourself with him, now, and be at peace,' promoting the idea that a return to God will result in restoration. He emphasizes that putting away unrighteousness will lead to blessings, stating that Job should 'lay your treasure in the dust' as a metaphor for humility and prioritizing God.
Explore repentance in the Bible →Human Misunderstanding
Eliphaz accuses Job of sinfulness, misjudging both Job's character and the nature of his suffering. In verses 13-14, he claims Job believes God is ignorant of his distress, failing to grasp Job's actual feelings. This accusation reveals Eliphaz's rigid perspective on divine justice and leads him to assume that Job's afflictions stem from unconfessed sin, demonstrating a lack of empathy and understanding for Job's true situation.
Chapter outline
How Job 22 unfolds
Job 22:1–11 Eliphaz Accuses Job of Sin
Eliphaz asks Job rhetorical questions about God's benefit from human righteousness and accuses him of significant wickedness, including taking pledges unfairly and neglecting the needy (vv. 6-9). He claims Job's troubles are a result of his iniquities (vv. 10-11).
Job 22:12–20 God's Omniscience and Judgment
Eliphaz asserts God's omniscience, questioning Job's belief that God cannot see through darkness (vv. 12-14). He recounts the fate of the wicked, emphasizing that their denial of God's power leads to their destruction (vv. 15-20).
Job 22:21–30 Call to Repentance and Assurance
Eliphaz calls Job to repent and return to God, promising restoration and peace if he does so (vv. 21-23). He assures Job that God will respond to his prayers and deliver him, even if he is not innocent (vv. 29-30).
Key verses
Job 22:21Eliphaz speaks to Job, urging him to 'acquaint yourself with him' as a call to repentance which promises peace and restoration if Job turns from his iniquities.
Get a short devotional by email, one passage and one question a day.
One short email each morning, with the free study guide. Unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. We use your address only to send this email.
Study questions
Questions for studying Job 22
- observeIn v6, what does Eliphaz accuse Job of doing to his brother?
- observeWhat does Eliphaz claim about the 'arms of the fatherless' in v9?
- interpretIn vv. 13-14, what is Eliphaz suggesting about Job's view of God's knowledge?
- interpretIn v21, what does Eliphaz mean by 'acquaint yourself with him'?
- applyWhen have you felt you were facing 'snares' as described in v10?
For Bible groups
Study Job 22 with your group
A free one-page handout with the overview, key verse, outline and discussion questions, ready to print for everyone at the table.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Job 22
- Psalm 37Job 22:26 and Psalm 37:4Both delight yourself in the Almighty: Job 22:26 says this will bring you peace, while Psalm 37:4 states he will give you desires.
- Isaiah 48Job 22:21 and Isaiah 48:17Both be at peace: Job 22:21 connects this to good, while Isaiah 48:17 promises guidance from God.
- Proverbs 16Job 22:28 and Proverbs 16:3Both commit your deeds: Job 22:28 says they will be established, while Proverbs 16:3 assures plans will succeed.
- Psalm 119Job 22:22 and Psalm 119:11Both receive instruction: Job 22:22 urges listening to God’s mouth, while Psalm 119:11 emphasizes hiding his word.
- Psalm 90Job 22:28 and Psalm 90:17Both establish the work of our hands: Job 22:28 states it will shine, while Psalm 90:17 asks for God’s favor.
- Matthew 21Job 22:28 and Matthew 21:22Both decree a thing: Job 22:28 assures it will be established, while Matthew 21:22 emphasizes belief in prayer.
Related chapters
Chapters that connect with Job 22
Elsewhere on ScriptureDepth
Where to go from here
- Job: the whole bookJob confronts the hardest question in the life of faith: why do the righteous suffer?
- Full Year Chronological Bible, day 10Day 10 of 365: Job 19–22.
- SufferingWhat the Bible says about suffering, with verses.
- Common Bible questionsThe questions people bring to Bible study, each answered from the text.
- Today's devotionalOne verse and a short reflection, new every morning.
Job 22: frequently asked questions
What is Job 22 about?+
What is the key verse in Job 22?+
What are the main themes of Job 22?+
Studying Job with a print Bible beside you? See our study Bible guides.