Job 22:15

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

הַאֹ֣רַח way H734
הַאֹ֣רַח way
Strong's: H734
Word #: 1 of 7
a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively); also a caravan
עוֹלָ֣ם the old H5769
עוֹלָ֣ם the old
Strong's: H5769
Word #: 2 of 7
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
תִּשְׁמ֑וֹר Hast thou marked H8104
תִּשְׁמ֑וֹר Hast thou marked
Strong's: H8104
Word #: 3 of 7
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
אֲשֶׁ֖ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 4 of 7
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דָּרְכ֣וּ have trodden H1869
דָּרְכ֣וּ have trodden
Strong's: H1869
Word #: 5 of 7
to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)
מְתֵי men H4962
מְתֵי men
Strong's: H4962
Word #: 6 of 7
properly, an adult (as of full length); by implication, a man (only in the plural)
אָֽוֶן׃ which wicked H205
אָֽוֶן׃ which wicked
Strong's: H205
Word #: 7 of 7
strictly nothingness; also trouble, vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol

Analysis & Commentary

Hast thou marked the old way which wicked men have trodden? (הַאֹרַח עוֹלָם תִּשְׁמֹר אֲשֶׁר דָּרְכוּ מְתֵי־אָוֶן)—Orach olam (ancient path) typically refers to godly tradition (Jeremiah 6:16), but here Eliphaz uses it ironically for the metey-aven (men of iniquity). Shamar (to keep/guard/observe) asks if Job is following their example.

Eliphaz invokes the Flood generation as proof that wickedness brings swift judgment. The question implies Job has chosen the path of the pre-diluvian rebels. This represents the climax of Eliphaz's false accusation: not only has Job sinned, he's aligned with history's most notorious sinners. The rhetoric escalates because the retribution theology demands proportional wickedness to explain Job's suffering.

Historical Context

The 'old way' or 'ancient path' language appears in ancient Near Eastern wisdom as moral instruction. Eliphaz alludes to Genesis 6, where universal wickedness preceded the Flood. The rhetorical question expects the answer 'no,' but Eliphaz implies Job has indeed followed the wicked path.

Questions for Reflection