Job 22:14
Thick clouds are a covering to him, that he seeth not; and he walketh in the circuit of heaven.
Original Language Analysis
עָבִ֣ים
Thick clouds
H5645
עָבִ֣ים
Thick clouds
Strong's:
H5645
Word #:
1 of 8
properly, an envelope, i.e., darkness (or density, 2 chronicles 4:17); specifically, a (scud) cloud; also a copse
סֵֽתֶר
are a covering
H5643
סֵֽתֶר
are a covering
Strong's:
H5643
Word #:
2 of 8
a cover (in a good or a bad, a literal or a figurative sense)
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִרְאֶ֑ה
to him that he seeth
H7200
יִרְאֶ֑ה
to him that he seeth
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
5 of 8
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
Historical Context
Ancient cosmology pictured the heavens as a solid dome (raqia) with God's throne above. The 'circuit of heaven' suggests God confined to the celestial realm. This deistic caricature appears in skeptical literature but not in Job's speeches. Eliphaz imports foreign theology to condemn Job.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Eliphaz's misrepresentation of Job's words warn against hearing only what confirms our theological prejudices?
- What is the difference between God's transcendence (His otherness) and deistic distance (His uninvolvement)?
- When have you felt that God was 'walking in the circuit of heaven' unconcerned with your struggles—and how did you process that?
Analysis & Commentary
Thick clouds are a covering to him (עָבִים סֵתֶר־לוֹ)—Eliphaz continues the false accusation, claiming Job believes avim (clouds) hide human activity from God's sight. Ironically, clouds represent God's glorious presence in Scripture (Exodus 13:21, 1 Kings 8:10-11), not His limitation.
He walketh in the circuit of heaven (חוּג שָׁמַיִם יִתְהַלָּךְ)—Chug shamayim (circle/vault of heaven) describes God's transcendent sphere. Eliphaz caricatures transcendence as absence: God merely paces the heavenly dome, unconcerned with earth. This contradicts Job's actual theology—he knows God sees everything (Job 7:17-20, 10:4-7) and desperately wants divine engagement. Eliphaz's straw-man attack reveals he hasn't listened to Job at all.