Job 22:26
For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God.
Original Language Analysis
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 9
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אָ֭ז
H227
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 9
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
תִּתְעַנָּ֑ג
For then shalt thou have thy delight
H6026
תִּתְעַנָּ֑ג
For then shalt thou have thy delight
Strong's:
H6026
Word #:
5 of 9
to be soft or pliable, i.e., (figuratively) effeminate or luxurious
Cross References
Isaiah 58:14Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.Psalms 37:4Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.Job 27:10Will he delight himself in the Almighty? will he always call upon God?Job 11:15For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:Romans 7:22For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:Psalms 86:4Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.Psalms 143:8Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.Song of Solomon 2:3As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
Historical Context
In Ancient Near Eastern culture, lifting one's face before a superior indicated acceptance and favor, while bowing or covering the face showed shame or judgment. Job's friends assume his suffering proves divine rejection, but the prologue reveals God's pleasure in Job (1:8, 2:3). This disconnect between heavenly reality and earthly interpretation drives the book's tension.
Questions for Reflection
- Can you honestly say you delight in God for who He is, apart from His gifts?
- What enables you to approach God with confidence when you've failed or suffered?
- How does Job's unwavering delight in God during loss challenge your concept of authentic worship?
Analysis & Commentary
For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty—The verb anag (עָנַג) means to take exquisite pleasure or find delight, appearing in Psalm 37:4 ('Delight thyself also in the LORD'). Eliphaz promises that repentance will restore Job's joy in God. Shalt lift up thy face unto God contrasts with shame that makes one cover the face (2 Samuel 19:4). The phrase nasa panim (נָשָׂא פָנִים) indicates bold, confident approach without guilt or fear.
Ironically, Job already delights in God despite suffering—he refuses to curse God (1:21-22, 2:10) and longs for God's presence (23:3). The theology is inverted: Eliphaz thinks repentance leads to delight, but Job demonstrates that delight in God persists through undeserved suffering. The New Testament affirms finding joy in God amid trials (James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 1:6-8), and Christ enables guilty sinners to approach God's throne boldly (Hebrews 4:16).