Job 22:23

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

אִם H518
אִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 1 of 8
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
תָּשׁ֣וּב If thou return H7725
תָּשׁ֣וּב If thou return
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 2 of 8
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
עַד H5704
עַד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 3 of 8
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
שַׁ֭דַּי to the Almighty H7706
שַׁ֭דַּי to the Almighty
Strong's: H7706
Word #: 4 of 8
the almighty
תִּבָּנֶ֑ה thou shalt be built up H1129
תִּבָּנֶ֑ה thou shalt be built up
Strong's: H1129
Word #: 5 of 8
to build (literally and figuratively)
תַּרְחִ֥יק far H7368
תַּרְחִ֥יק far
Strong's: H7368
Word #: 6 of 8
to widen (in any direction), i.e., (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)
עַ֝וְלָ֗ה iniquity H5766
עַ֝וְלָ֗ה iniquity
Strong's: H5766
Word #: 7 of 8
(moral) evil
מֵאָהֳלֶֽךָ׃ from thy tabernacles H168
מֵאָהֳלֶֽךָ׃ from thy tabernacles
Strong's: H168
Word #: 8 of 8
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

Analysis & Commentary

Eliphaz counsels Job: "If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up." The Hebrew banah (בָּנָה, "built up") evokes construction and restoration—a rebuilding of Job's fortunes. The conditional "if" assumes Job has departed from God, requiring repentance. Eliphaz's theology contains truth: genuine repentance does lead to restoration. Yet he errs in assuming Job's suffering proves Job's sin. Reformed theology distinguishes between

  1. suffering as judgment for specific sins (David and Bathsheba)
  2. suffering as fatherly discipline (Hebrews 12:6),
  3. suffering as mysterious providence for God's purposes (Job, Joseph).

Eliphaz's counsel would be appropriate for category (1) but fails to recognize Job's situation as category (3). This highlights the danger of universal application of particular biblical principles without wisdom to discern contexts.

Historical Context

The promise of restoration upon repentance was central to covenant theology (Deuteronomy 30:1-3, Jeremiah 29:12-14). Israel's exile and restoration patterns reinforced this. However, the post-exilic period raised new questions when faithful Jews suffered under foreign oppression despite covenant faithfulness. Job addresses this tension: what when the restoration formula doesn't apply because the sufferer hasn't departed from God?

Questions for Reflection