Job 22:3
Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?
Original Language Analysis
הַחֵ֣פֶץ
Is it any pleasure
H2656
הַחֵ֣פֶץ
Is it any pleasure
Strong's:
H2656
Word #:
1 of 9
pleasure; hence (abstractly) desire; concretely, a valuable thing; hence (by extension) a matter (as something in mind)
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
3 of 9
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תִצְדָּ֑ק
that thou art righteous
H6663
תִצְדָּ֑ק
that thou art righteous
Strong's:
H6663
Word #:
4 of 9
to be (causatively, make) right (in a moral or forensic sense)
וְאִם
H518
וְאִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
5 of 9
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 9
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Historical Context
Pagan religions portrayed gods needing human service and offerings. Eliphaz correctly distinguishes Yahweh from such dependent deities. However, covenant theology reveals God freely choosing relationship—not from need but from love and sovereign purpose. The distinction between divine necessity and divine desire resolves the tension between God's self-sufficiency and His genuine pleasure in righteousness.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we reconcile God needing nothing from us with Scripture's claims that He delights in righteousness?
- What does God's delight in our obedience reveal about His character and purposes?
- How does understanding God's self-sufficient yet relational nature transform our motivation for obedience?
Analysis & Commentary
Eliphaz asks rhetorically: "Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?" The noun chephets (חֵפֶץ, "pleasure") means delight or desire. The verb batsa (בֶּצַע, "gain") implies profit or advantage. Eliphaz argues God gains nothing from human righteousness since He lacks nothing. While this truth establishes God's self-sufficiency, Eliphaz misapplies it, suggesting God is therefore indifferent to righteousness. Reformed theology affirms God's aseity (self-existence) while maintaining that God freely chooses to delight in righteousness. Proverbs 11:20 declares "such as are upright in their way are his delight." The resolution: God doesn't need our obedience, but He desires it because it reflects His character and accomplishes His purposes. Christ's incarnation reveals this: God needed nothing from us, yet delighted in redeeming us for His glory and our good.